Residence permit in South Africa

1. Kinship ties;
2. Education in South Africa;
3. Employment;
4. Business in South Africa;
5. High income of retirees.

Required documents:

1. national passport that will be valid for more than 30 days from the termination of the residence permit;
2. copies of residence permits of other countries (if any);
3. payment of fees;
4. photograph;
5. certificate of vaccination against yellow fever (in case of recent visits of Central African countries);
6. police clearance certificate;
7. clean bill of health and fluorography for all foreign nationals older than 12 years of age (can be submitted in soft-copies in English. Documents must be signed by medical doctor);
8. birth certificates for minors (if any);
9. marriage / divorce certificate (if any);

All submitted documents must be translated in English and notarized.

Foreign nationals whose relative is a South African national/resident with monthly wage not less than $ 600 (ZAR 8500) can apply for residence permit.

Foreigner can apply for residence permit for the whole period of study if he wishes to be trained at:

• school which meets the requirements of South African Schools Act;
• college which meets the requirements of Education and Training College Act;
• higher education institution which meets the requirements of Higher Education Act.

Health insurance for 1 year period with possible extensions is a prerequisite.

For foreign employees there are 3 types of work visa in South Africa on the basis of which residence permit can be obtained:

In order for foreign national to be employed in South Africa it is required form the employer to demonstrate that efforts were made by him to hire South Africans, but these efforts were unsuccessful due to the lack of necessary experience and qualifications.

Employer has to confirm, that:

1. there were no matchable candidates for the position among South Africans;
2. foreign employee possess all the required qualifications and experiences for the position;
3. salary and benefits correspond to those of South African citizens holding similar positions;
4. the contract is prepared in accordance with the law of South Africa and signed by both parties (employer and employee);
5. foreign employee’s qualification is confirmed (document must be translated in one of official languages of South Africa by sworn translator);
6. employer must provide full information about the company, including certificate of registration with Companies and Intellectual Property Commission.

There is a list of in-demand vacancies (architects, medical workers, engineers, specialists in the agricultural sector, etc.) periodically gazetting by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Africa. Foreign national is required to confirm his qualification before applying this type of visa.

From time to time, international companies can transfer their staff members to branches or subsidiaries of their enterprises which are in the territory of South Africa. These staff members apply for work inside the company.  The employer does not have to demonstrate that efforts were made to hire South Africans. In order to get transferred it is required for an employee to work in the company outside the country for the minimum period of 6 months.

This visa is issued for 4 years without the possibility for renewal and extension.

In case a company is looking forward for further cooperation with an alien, he has to apply for a new visa in his home country or country of residence.

With 3 types of visas foreign national is eligible for education in South Africa without additional permission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Africa.

With employment visa foreign national is eligible for part-time training in South Africa without permission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Africa and changing the visa type.

Alien is eligible to apply for permanent residence permit upon 5 years of residence in South Africa on the basis of work visa.

In order to start a business in South Africa or invest in existed one alien is required to apply for business visa and submit the following documents:

1. certificate, issued by chartered accountant registered within The South African Institute of Professional Accountants, stated that an alien possesses liquid funds in minimum amount of ZAR 5 000 000 ($ 346 500).
2. recommendations from the Department of Trade and Industry in South Africa that the business is profitable and meets the economic interests of the country;
3. the number of South African citizens/residents must be at least 60% of the total number of employees of the company;
4. business must be registered with:

• The South African Revenue Service;
• The Unemployment Insurance Fund;
• The Occupational Injuries and Diseases Insurance Fund;
• Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (if required).

With business visa foreign national is eligible for part-time education in South Africa without permission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Africa and changing the visa type.

Foreign retirees who wish to reside in South Africa can apply for residence permit if they can prove their monthly income is not less than ZAR 37000 ($ 2600). Information on the income must be documented.