Know the Different Types of South African Temporary Residence Visas
Are you seeking a South African visa? Most people aspiring to gain access into South Africa do not know the different types of South African Temporary Residence Visas available to them. Such people may fall victim of fraudulent visa agents, who are out to take advantage of their ignorance.
Knowing the various types of South African Temporary Residence Visas will also help you to make the right choice when seeking a South African visa. Fortunately, this article will explain the various types of South African visas available to foreigners.
Presently, there are eight different types of South African temporary residence visas:
Relatives Visa
This type of visa is for strictly for applicants who are biologically related to South African citizens or to an immigrant who had secured a permanent residence permit in South Africa. Anyone who had been legally adopted by a South African is also qualified for this type of visa. Note that anyone with this type of visa does not have the right to work and must secure the work visa to be eligible to work.
Spousal or Life Partner Visa
This visa is for applicants who are either in a permanent relationship or married to a South African or to an immigrant who had secured a permanent residence permit in South Africa. The relationship includes both homosexual and heterosexual relationships. This type of visa does not convey the right to work and beneficiaries must secure the work visa to be eligible to work.
To apply for this visa, the applicant must tender a two-year cohabitation proof with the South African or the immigrant with the permanent residence permit, and both partners must undergo separate but simultaneous interviews at the South African embassy in the applicants’ home country.
General Work Visa
This is for applicants who have been offered a job by a South African company that is also willing to participate in the South African visa procurement process. The South African company would have to justify to the South African Department of Labor why it is offering a foreigner the job instead of a South African. The company would also have to prove that it had advertised the job vacancy in print media for some time. Please note that type of visa only permits applicants to work for only one specific employer – if you choose to change employer, you must give prior notice to Home Affairs.
Critical Skills Work Visa
This is for applicants who are working in industries characterized as having a scarcity of skills by the South African government. Such industries are usually published in the government’s gazette. Though you do not need to have been offered a job to apply for this visa, you must be able to prove that you have been gainfully employed in your skill-related field within a year of being granted this visa.
Intra-company Transfer Work Visa South Africa
This type of visa is for applicants who have been transferred by a foreign company to an affiliate, subsidiary, or branch of that company in South Africa. This is usually the easiest type of visa to procure, especially if the company has the right structure. However, this visa type is valid only for four years and is not likely to be renewed.
Business Visa
Applicants for this visa must be planning to start up a business venture in South Africa. To be eligible for the South African business visa:
Retirement Visa
Applicants for this visa must be able to prove that they receive an equivalent of about R37, 000 as monthly income. Alternatively, applicants must be able to prove that they have an equivalent of about R444, 000 per annum in their bank account. This visa application does not require any age limit. More so, beneficiaries of retirement visa can extend an invitation either to their spouse or biological child under the age of 18.
Study Visa
This is for applicants who want to proceed with their study at any institution in South Africa. Such an institution must be registered with the South African Department of Higher Education. Study visa also allows holders to engage in part-time work not exceeding 20hrs/week. Note that applicants to English language schools in South Africa are not eligible.
Those are the available South African Temporary Residence Visas, if you have any question, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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