For foreign individuals who are planning to immigrate to South Africa, the country’s immigration services offer temporary residency, as well as permits that allow permanent residency in the country.

South Africa immigration services provide immigration visas for excursions, long-term work, study-based projects and permanent residency.

For temporary purposes, such as tourism and visiting family or friends, a foreign visitor should apply for a South African Visitor Visa. A South African Visitor Visa has a validity of more than three months, allows for a short course of study, but strictly forbids the holder from working in the country.

For foreign individuals who wish to live and work in the country for a specified time period, a South African Work Permit must be obtained.

South African Study Permits have a validity that varies, depending on the duration of the course being undertaken by the international student.

For permanent residency in South Africa, the country’s Spouse Immigration Visa permits first or second degree relatives of permanent residents of the country to migrate, either temporarily or permanently.

For foreign nationals who wish to live in South Africa on a seasonal basis only, the most suitable option is to retire to the country. A South African Retirement Visa has a validity of up to for four years and is renewable for the same duration any number of times.

In the categories of business and working permits, applications for permanent residency in the country may also be possible.

A visa is a necessity for all South African passport holders for them to enter the Schengen area. The Schengen countries comprise Austria; Belgium, Finland, France, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Iceland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and Spain.

If you are planning to visit just one Schengen country, you have to process your application for a Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of that particular country.

If your plan is to visit several countries within Schengen territory, you need to apply for your Schengen visa at that country’s embassy or consulate where you are planning to spend the majority of your visit. If you are visiting France for five days, and the Netherlands and Germany for three days each, you need to process your Schengen visa application at the embassy or consulate of France.

However, if you wish to visit multiple Schengen countries, but have no major destination, you need to apply for a Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of the country which is your first point of entry.

One Schengen visa is equivalent to a multiple visa, which allows you to enter all Schengen countries. There are different types of Schengen visas: a short-stay visa, a long-stay visa, a transit visa, a group visa, and an airport-transit visa.

For any visa application, just contact your respective embassy or consulate.

South Africans will be granted visas as a temporary passport if they are travelling in two months’ time and if they have South African identity documents. Be sure to inquire before you travel, as some Schengen countries do not permit access on a temporary passport.

South Africa is one of the most commonly visited countries within Africa proper. Most visitors usually stop by Cape Town as their first destination, which has resulted in this city becoming one of the most popular places to visit. Getting there is fairly simple for UK citizens; you do not require a South African tourist visa for stays up to 90 days so long as you are a British citizen, which means you can enjoy a vacation anywhere within the country without having to deal with the hassles of visa paperwork.

Cape Town hosts a variety of hot-spots. You can visit Robben Island, Table Mountain, or the Cape Winelands, home to some of the finer vintages of South African wines. Accommodation within Cape Town is plentiful, as are rental agencies, so you can spend the majority of your time enjoying the sights and sounds without any hassles.

A visit to Cape Town is an adventure holiday. You can hike or bike along the mountain trails, go rock climbing, rent a 4-wheel drive and take to the trails, paraglide, go diving with the sharks, or even bungee jump and skydive. The only limit is your imagination.

But with such a variety of destinations within South Africa, why stop with just Cape Town? You can visit the penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach or head down to Kalk Bay for a nostalgic trip to an old fishing village.

While the summers are warm the evenings do cool down a bit and it will rain from time to time, but it’s always warm enough to take advantage of the beautiful scenery. And don’t fret if you forget to pack something. There are plenty of places to rent, buy, or hire gear should your adventuring needs require it.

A South African spousal visa enables a husband, wife or long- term partner of a South African permanent resident or person in possession of a citizenship migrate to South Africa on the basis of their permanent relationship.

The South African immigration services offer a range of spousal permits for those people who wishing to migrate either permanent or temporary.

Through immigration, a South African spousal visa of this kind is assessed purely upon the marital status or the duration of their relationship and this permit does not require any letter of employment in order to join their partners or spouses. Candidates that are successful in getting a South African spousal visa can apply for temporary or permanent residence permits that will allow them to be able to work and live in South Africa and undertake employment they wish.

A marriage certificate is required in cases where the married applicant wishes to immigrate to South Africa through this route on a temporary permit.

 Life relationship will also need to be supported by documentary evidence of mutual financial arrangements like loans, bank accounts, utility bills and co-habitation. People who wish to apply for life-partner immigration or spouse immigration as a permanent option must have been in a life relationship or married to the sponsoring South African permanent resident or citizen for a period of around one year. Permanent settling in South Africa will result in most cases where one person applied for a South African spousal visa through the temporary or permanent route.

A five-year South African spousal visa will no longer be provisional on the continuous existence of a relationship and it cannot be withdrawn in case of relationship or marital status change.

A person can apply for a South Africa Business Visa if they are planning to work for more than ninety days within South Africa in which case they should apply for a ‘visitors’ visa.’

The South Africa Business Visa is given to people who are authorized to conduct some short-term, specific activities in South Africa for a limited period. The activities include:

•    Attending training
•    Fixing machinery
•    Installing computer hardware or software
•    Working on a short-term project
•    You want to set-up a temporary employment in South Africa
•    You are transferred temporarily to a branch or affiliate of the company
•    You wish to visit a company in South Africa, which you or your company own more than 25% of the shares (controlling interest).

In addition, it is not intended to provide for any additional category of work permit.

The requirements to obtain a South African Business Visa are:

1.    A valid passport with at least six months validity and which has two blank visa pages
2.    Visa application signed and completed
3.    Two passport size photographs
4.    Copy of airline itinerary / travelling agency
5.    Copy of a recent bank statement
6.    Medical certificate to show fitness to travel
7.    Air tickets with trip transportation information
8.    Sufficient funds
9.    Travel document showing the period you intend to stay in South Africa
10.    A business letter of responsibility required from your company or organization’s letterhead

In the letter it should explain the nature of duties to be performed, name and address of the company to be visited and the purpose. In addition, guaranteeing financial support, return transportation and invitation form the company or organization in South Africa is required. Acquiring a South Africa Business Visa requires a good reason as to why the person is interested in conducting business in South Africa.

If you are interested in emigrating to South Africa for your retirement, you can apply for a South Africa Retirement Visa.  The South Africa Retirement Visa is designed for those who wish to visit the country for a period longer than 6 months. When applying for a South Africa Retirement Visa you will need to provide proof that you are financially able to take care of yourself while in the country.  The requirement is to show proof of at least R20, 000 per month or equivalent regardless of source. There are two main types of South Africa Retirement Visas – temporary and permanent.  Applicants can opt for temporary or permanent resident status depending on how long they wish to stay in the country.  Those who are retired but will only be spending part of the year in the country will opt for a temporary South Africa Retirement Visa. 

While the South Africa Retirement Visa is a temporary permit it can be renewed as often as needed so long as the individual continues to meet the financial requirements. The South Africa Retirement Visa is intended for those who receive a pension or other form of continuous income.  It is important to know that retired persons in South Africa are also permitted to work if they desire.  Supporting documentation should accompany your South Africa Retirement Visa Application. The South Africa Retirement Visa holder can decide to apply for permanent residence status.  There are no age restrictions on the category of South Africa Retirement Visa if the applicant meets the criteria.

Those who wish to immigrate to South Africa to settle on a permanent or temporary basis can apply for a South African Retirement Permit provided the financial criteria is satisfied and provided the applicant can prove the existence of a lifelong pension or income.

South Africa also provides retirement coaching to assist individuals in planning their financial futures and, if desired, their leisure, spiritual, future work pans or personal requirements. People plan more for short vacations than their retirement lives, yet pre-retirees say they want fulfilment and meaning in their later years and they only need people to encourage and advise them on an action plan.

When you are entering into a South African retirement scheme, the most important benefits to consider are the following:

•    Best shopping and restaurants facilities.
•    Good climate
•     Affordable Living cost
•    Diverse Culture
•    World class sporting facilities
•    Good healthcare centres
•    Unique tourist attractions
•    Luxurious affordable housing.

In addition, South Africa has all this, which is the reason many people decide to retire to this country.

You also need to establish which community suits you, one in which you will be able to relate with the people of the same age or are on their way to retirement and a place where the environment that is suitable to relax and enjoy your retirement years in peace living a care-free senior lifestyle. There are many activities to experience for either active or more leisurely pursuits. There will be a lifestyle option that suits you and your style of living.

People have also developed new hobbies at an earlier age so as to have a few years to relax and enjoy their hobbies to the full in their retirement.

South Africa is a holiday and commercial hub like no other. For this reason South Africa’s Home Office receives thousands of work permit and visa applications every year.

Many groups of people choose to immigrate to South Africa for various reasons. These reasons could be work related, holiday, exchange programs or even settlement. The South Africa Home Office reserves the discretion to issue temporary and permanent residence permits to those seeking immigration to South Africa.

South African work permits are issued based on the nature of one’s visit. These are sub-divided into 2 broad categories; temporary and permanent.
 
Temporary residence permits are issued for people who will be in South Africa for between 90 days and 4 years. Permits which fall under this category include visitor permits, extended visitor permits, business permits and retired person permits.

Various conditions must be met before a prospective immigrant is issued with a temporary residence permit. The conditions are different for every class of permit. Basic requirements which must be met for every permit category include having a valid passport, certificate of yellow fever vaccination, valid visa and proof that one has sufficient funds for one’s upkeep.

A temporary residence permit holder then applies and is issued a visa. Holders of such documents can apply for permanent residence status. One is eligible for this status if he/she has been holding a valid temporary permit and has been working in South Africa for a period exceeding 5 years.

Eligibility for permanent residence status can also be through blood relations with a South African citizen or by virtue of marrying a bona fide South African citizen.

South Africa is a country blessed with an enchanting landscape, magnificent scenery and vast coastline with soft sandy beaches lined with palm trees and crystal clear ocean. The country experiences sunshine all year round and has a rich collection of flora and fauna.

The country also boasts of cosmopolitan cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria as well as a rich, diversified culture. The over 43 million inhabitants speak over 11 languages.

Immigration to South Africa is well suited for tourist, students, entrepreneurs and people with certain skill sets as well as professionals. These groups of people have different routes through which they immigrate into South Africa.

The avenues which allow immigration to South Africa are designed to protect the interests of the South African citizens. This is well illustrated by the immigration of skilled man-power to South Africa. For an immigrant to be considered for a work permit using this route, sufficient proof must be provided by the prospective employer to show that the job cannot be done by a South African citizen.

For businesses wishing to invest in South Africa, the business must be able to hire a minimum of 5 local citizens and contribute positively towards the country’s economy.

The simplest route for immigration to South Africa is through a job offering. South Africa’s system of admitting skilled man-power is not point based, making it easier to immigrate to South Africa and engage in business or employment.

Another way of immigrating to South Africa is by making use of family relations who are South African citizens. One is a South African citizen by descent, marriage or through naturalization.

The South Africa Retirement Visa facilitates the migration into South Africa for those who have retired and want to spend their golden years in that country.

Year after year, South Africa receives thousands of individuals who have decided to retire in that country. The retirees come to take advantage of the excellent facilities for healthcare, cultural diversity, low-cost and comfortable living, moderate climate, luxurious and affordable housing, and the exclusive tourist attractions.

A South Africa Retirement Visa can allow an applicant entry for four years and is given to a retiree who has a monthly income or pension of more than R20,000 or a net worth (combination of assets) amounting to R20,000 every month. The South Africa Retirement Visa can be given for the duration of more than three months to a foreign applicant who is intending to make his or her retirement in South Africa. For the foreigner to successfully acquire this, the proof of right to an annuity, pension, or a serviced retirement account from his or her country of origin has to be presented. The payments or account has to be available for the rest of the applicant’s life.

South Africa immigration is very popular for those visiting for periods of six or more months. It is not obligatory for successful applicants of the South Africa Retirement Visa to request permanent residency. A temporary visa can, however, be indefinitely renewed as long as all requirements for the extension are met.

On the flip side, a permanent visa carries with it additional advantages to the holder. However, a permanent South Africa Retirement Visa holder is not entitled to vote whilst in that country.