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.
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