Eligibility quiz
Do you have a spouse or partner who is a South African citizen or has a South African permanent-residence permit?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in South Africa
You can enter and live in South Africa with your qualifying relative for the period on your visa, up to two years.
You can leave and seek to return while it is valid, but re-entry is not guaranteed.
How to apply
From outside South AfricaFrom outside South Africa
Find your consulate
Find the South African consulate for the country where you usually live or hold citizenship. If that country has no South African mission, find the mission designated to take its applications.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which South African consulate handles relative’s visa applications for someone living in your city?”
Download the application form
Download Form DHA-1738, the temporary-residence application form.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download South Africa’s DHA-1738 relative’s visa application form?”
Fill in the form
Complete and sign the relative’s visa section of Form DHA-1738. If you are applying as an unmarried partner, complete Part A of Form 12 as well.
Get form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in South Africa’s DHA-1738 relative’s visa application and Form 12 Part A?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsArrange your appointment
Follow your consulate’s instructions to arrange an appointment to apply in person.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange an appointment for a South African relative’s visa at the consulate serving your city?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your completed form, passport and supporting documents to the consulate, and give your fingerprints and other required biometric information. Pay the application fee as the consulate directs.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a South African relative’s visa application and pay the fee at the consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Track your application using the Department of Home Affairs status service if it supports your application. Answer any requests from the consulate and attend an interview if asked; you and your partner may be interviewed separately.
Track your applicationEnter South Africa
Once your visa is issued, you can enter South Africa on it. Follow its conditions; this visa does not allow you to work.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter South Africa with a relative’s visa?”
Once in South AfricaOnce in South Africa
Report your relationship
If your visa is based on a permanent partnership, submit Part B of Form 12 after you have held the visa for two years to say whether the relationship continues. Tell the Department of Home Affairs immediately if the relationship ends; reporting helps you comply with your visa conditions.
Find reporting instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit Form 12 Part B or report the end of a partnership for a South African relative’s visa?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Partner’s residence record
Provide evidence that your spouse or partner holds a South African permanent-residence permit. The relative’s visa requires your spouse or partner to be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
Child custody documents *
Provide proof of parental responsibilities and rights for each child, or a written affidavit of consent from the other parent or legal guardian. Include custody, adoption and parental-consent documents where they apply.
* Only if children accompany or join you.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMarriage certificates *
If you are married to your spouse, provide your marriage certificate. If either of you was married before, add the divorce decree, former spouse’s death certificate or other official record showing how that marriage ended; include legal-separation evidence if it applies.
* Only if you are married or either of you was married before.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationPartnership evidence *
Provide a notarial agreement in which you both declare that your permanent relationship has lasted at least two years, remains exclusive, and neither of you is married to or in another permanent relationship with someone else. Add evidence of your relationship, the financial support you give each other and how you share financial and other responsibilities. If you are both foreign nationals and formed the relationship abroad, include official recognition of it from the authorities there where applicable.
* Only if you are applying as unmarried partners.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Conditions for staying
Keep your travel documents valid and follow the conditions of your permission.
Your sponsoring relative must promise financial support of R8,500 per person per month, unless that relative is a dependent child.
Before your permission expires, leave or get an extension; renewal is not automatic.
Work and study limits
This permission does not allow you to work, including working for yourself.
You need separate permission to work or study.
Permission can end
Your permission ends when it expires; if you are a spouse, it also ends when your spousal relationship is dissolved.
Immigration authorities can refuse an extension or cancel permission if you break its conditions or become barred from entering or staying in South Africa.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
South Africa Permits & Visas – DHA & VFS Experts
English Facebook group for people living in South Africa interested in South African visas
Join on FacebookVisas and permits sa
English Facebook group for people living in South Africa interested in South African visas
Join on FacebookSouth African Visa Applications - Help
English Facebook group for people interested in South African visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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