Eligibility quiz
Are you married to or in a permanent relationship with a South African citizen?
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 ordinarily live or hold citizenship. If there is no South African mission there, find the consulate designated to receive applications for that country.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which South African consulate serving your city accepts Relative’s visa applications?”
Get the application form
Get Form 8, also called DHA-1738, for a temporary-residence visa application.
Find the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get South Africa’s Relative’s visa application form DHA-1738?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign Form 8 for a Relative’s visa.
Get help completing itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in South Africa’s Relative’s visa application form DHA-1738?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsPay the application fee
Ask your consulate how much to pay and how it accepts payment, then pay the application fee.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the South African Relative’s visa application fee at the consulate serving your city?”
Hand in your application
Bring your completed form and supporting documents to the consulate and hand them in personally. The consulate will take your fingerprints and other biometric details.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a South African Relative’s visa application at the consulate serving your city?”
Attend an interview
If the consulate asks you to attend an interview, go as directed. You and your spouse or partner may be interviewed separately.
Learn about interviewsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does an interview for a South African Relative’s visa work?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the consulate’s decision and answer any requests for more information. Do not make travel arrangements until your visa has been issued.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a South African Relative’s visa application take at a consulate?”
Travel to South Africa
Once your visa has been issued, you can make travel arrangements and travel to South Africa.
Plan your travelSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to South Africa with a Relative’s visa?”
Once in South AfricaOnce in South Africa
Submit your relationship update
Follow your visa conditions and submit Part B of Form 12 after two years to say whether your relationship still exists. If your relationship ends, notify the Director-General of Home Affairs immediately.
Find update instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit Form 12 Part B for a South African Relative’s visa?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificates *
If you are married, provide your marriage certificate. If either of you was married before, also provide the official divorce decree or death certificate that ended that marriage. Bring the original records or copies authenticated by the offices that issued them.
* Only if you are married or either partner was married before.
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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