PERMANENT RESIDENCE

In general, there are various options for foreign citizens to obtain permanent residence in South Africa. The category under which to apply will depend on your qualifications and work experience, length of time resident in South Africa and existing ties to the country, among other requirements. As a worker with no South African family members there are the following options under current immigration law, policies and procedures.

5-year worker: Permanent residence can be granted to persons who have held work visas for five years continuously and have been offered permanent employment in the country.
Critical skills worker: Permanent residence can be granted to persons who hold extraordinary skills which are not found in South Africa, and which can be confirmed by an organ of state or South African cultural, academic or business body.
Investor/Business Owner: Permanent residence can be granted to persons who intend to invest a minimum of R 5 million into a business in South Africa and create employment for at least 60% South Africans.

Permanent Residence – Spouse/relative

As the spouse of a South African citizen (life partners are seen as spouses, too, if they can prove that they live together and are committed to each other and are not involved in any other relationship or still legally married), you qualify for permanent residence if / when the marriage or partnership has subsisted for at least 5 years. In the case of a life partnership it must be proven concretely that for at least 5 years you have lived together and shared financial commitments.

Permanent Residency- Retired Person
The financial criteria for retired persons under the permanent residence category are similar to that of temporary in that the R 37,000 monthly income needs to be proved. The proof of funds needs to be life-long guaranteed income and not capital based or a cash lump sum.
Please note that the annuity or pension income needs to be payable at the current date. Bank statements will be needed as supporting evidence that these funds are credited into your account when submission takes place.

Financially independent permit
Financially Independent Permit allows the applicant to reside in South Africa on a permanent basis. Applicants with assets over R12 million are eligible to apply for Financially independent permit. The applicant would be required to pay the authorities a fee of R120 000 upon issuance of the permit. There is no age restriction under this category.

PR Refugee
You qualify for permanent residence if you have been a recognized refugee in South Africa for at least 5 years and have been issued with a Certification from the Standing Committee.