What is Permanent Residency?
Permanent residency is a person’s legal resident status in a country or territory of which such person is not a citizen but where they have the right to reside on a permanent basis.
This is usually for a permanent period; a person with such legal status is known as a permanent resident.
How To Register For Permanent Residency In South Africa?
Permanent residence permits are issued by the Department of Home Affairs. Information on how to apply for a permanent residence permit is available from the department.
Direct residence permits are issued to:
- foreigners who have been residing in South Africa on the basis of their work permits for a minimum period of five years
- their spouses
- dependants of South African citizens or permanent residence permit holders.
You can also apply for permanent residency if you:
- are in possession of a permanent work offer in South Africa
- have exceptional skills and qualifications
- intend to establish a business in South Africa
- qualify as a refugee in terms of Section 27(c) of the Refugees Act
- qualify as a retired person
- are financially independent
- are relatives (biologically or judicially adopted) of a South African citizen or permanent residence permit holder.
Are permanent residence applications open in South Africa?
South Africa’s department of home affairs reopened applications for permanent residency permits in January.
This, after abruptly suspending all new applications at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, to deal with a backlog built over the past decade.
How much is a permanent residence permit in South Africa?
Documents Required
A duly completed DHA-947 form online. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by the Department of Home Affairs. Payment of the application fee of R1550.
How long does South African permanent residency take?
between 12 and 36 months
Permanent Residency means the person (immigrant) is allowed to reside indefinitely within South Africa although he or she is not a citizen. Please note that currently applications for permanent residency are taking between 12 and 36 months.
What documents are needed for permanent residency?
The documents needed to apply for a green card through marriage
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate.
- Financial documents.
- Proof of sponsor’s SA. citizenship or permanent residence.
- Proof of lawful SA. entry and status, if applicable.
- Police clearance certificate, if applicable.
What are the benefits of permanent residency in South Africa?
Permanent residency allows the holder to live and work in South Africa without limits and includes the right to work without restriction, engage in business, own property, study and do all activities a citizen is permitted to do, except for voting in the South African elections.