Temporary Residence Visas South Africa
Navigating South Africa’s immigration system can be complex, and selecting the correct visa category is one of the most important decisions you will make during the application process.
Whether you are relocating for employment, retirement, business investment, study, family reunification, or remote work, South Africa offers a range of temporary residence visa categories designed to accommodate different immigration objectives.
Choosing
the Right Temporary Residence Visa
South African immigration law requires that you apply under the category which accurately reflects the purpose of your stay. Whether you are planning to work, establish a business, retire, join family members, or study in South Africa, obtaining the right temporary residence visa is the foundation of a successful immigration strategy and essential for any long-term plans.
Each visa category has unique eligibility criteria, documentary requirements, validity periods, and conditions attached to it. At every stage of the process, proper preparation is essential. Most visa application rejections are caused by the submission of incorrect or expired supporting documents, misunderstanding eligibility requirements, or applying under the wrong visa category. Professional guidance can significantly improve the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Types of Temporary Residence Visas
If you have been offered employment in South Africa, and your skills and qualifications fall within the list of professions viewed as critical to South Africa, you may qualify for a Critical Skills Visa.
Before applying for the visa, you will need to have your foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and apply for membership with the necessary professional body.
Applicants for Critical Skills Work visas can now apply for an initial 12-month work visa with proof of an application submitted to SAQA, where the SAQA evaluation is still pending.
A Critical Skills Work Visa is valid for a maximum period of five years and can be renewed within South Africa.
If you have been offered employment in South Africa, and do not qualify for a Critical Skills Visa you may be eligible for a General Work Visa. In October 2024, a Points Based System was introduced for the adjudication of General Work Visa applications.
In order to qualify, you will need to score a minimum of 100 points on the matrix below:
| Criteria | Points (%) | Criteria | Points (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation: | Occupation on critical skills list | 100 | ||
| Qualifications: | NQF levels 9 and 10 | 50 | NQF levels 7 and 8 | 30 |
| Offer of Employment (Mandatory) | Above ZAR 976,194 gross per annum | 50 | Between ZAR 650,976 and ZAR 976,194 gross per annum | 20 |
| Work Experience: | 10+ years | 30 | 5 – 10 years | 20 |
| Employment status: | Offer from Trusted Employer (TES) | 30 | ||
| Language skills: | Proficient in at least one official language | 10 |
The Points Based System does not apply to ZEP holders. Applicants for General Work visas can now apply for an initial 12-month work visa with proof of an application submitted to SAQA, where the SAQA evaluation is still pending.
A General Work Visa is valid for a maximum period of five years and can be renewed within South Africa.
If you are the spouse or permanent life partner of a South African citizen or permanent resident, you may apply for a spousal visa. This category allows you to request that your visa be endorsed for work, study, or business purposes.
The Spousal Visa (with Endorsement) is valid for a maximum period of three years and can be renewed within South Africa.
If you are seeking to establish or invest in a business in South Africa, you will need a Business Visa. A letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry, based on an assessment of the feasibility of the business and its potential contribution to South Africa’s national interest, is required for a Business Visa.
When applying for a Business Visa, you will have to prove your ability to invest ZAR 5 million in the business and ensure that 60% of the total staff complement are South African citizens or permanent residents. However, certain businesses may apply to waive the ZAR 5 million investment requirement.
A Business Visa is valid for three years and may be renewed within South Africa.
If you wish to retire in South Africa, you will need to show that you receive a passive monthly income of ZAR 37, 000. Importantly, this income must come from a pension, irrevocable annuity, retirement account, or from your net worth. A Retired Person’s Visa can be endorsed for work purposes in limited circumstances.
A Retired Person’s Visa is valid for a maximum period of four years and can be renewed within South Africa.
If you wish to reside in South Africa, while working for a foreign based employer, you will need to show an annual income of at least ZAR 650 976 to qualify for a Remote Work Visa. A Remote Work Visa may be issued for up to three years and can be renewed within South Africa.
If you spend more than 183 days in South Africa during any 12-month period, you may be liable to register for tax. Lee and Truter Attorneys highly recommends that prospective applicants consult with a South African tax practitioner to ensure compliance.
Other Visa Categories
01
Visitor’s Visa
The Visitor’s Visa is intended for those travelling to South Africa for tourism, family visits, short-term business activities, or other short-term purposes for up to 90 days. Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay, provide details of their travel itinerary and accommodation arrangements, and submit the necessary supporting documentation to substantiate the purpose of their visit.
A Visitor’s Visa may be renewed from within South Africa for an additional 90 days.
02
Visitor’s Visa with Work Endorsement
The Visitor’s Visa with Work Endorsement, commonly referred to as a Section 11(2) Visa, is intended for those who need to undertake short-term work assignments in South Africa, for up to 90 days. The work endorsement is tied to a specific employer, project, duration, and location of work and is common for those travelling to South Africa to provide specialised services, attend to project-based assignments, install or maintain equipment and conduct training.
A Visitor’s Visa with Work Endorsement may be renewed from within South Africa for an additional 90 days.
03
Volunteer’s Visa
A Volunteer Visa is intended for those who wish to participate in voluntary activities in South Africa for charitable, humanitarian, religious, conservation, educational, community development, or social welfare purposes. While volunteers may receive certain funds from the host organisation, they may not typically receive a salary.
A Volunteer’s Visa may be issued for three years and can be renewed from within South Africa
04
Research Visa
A Research Visa is intended for those who wish to enter and reside in South Africa for the purpose of conducting academic, scientific, professional, environmental, medical, social, or institutional research. A Research Visa may be issued to visiting academics, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, scientific specialists, fellows, and professionals undertaking collaborative projects with South African institutions.
A Research Visa may be issued for a period of 3 years and can be renewed from within South Africa.
05
Medical Treatment Visa
The Medical Treatment Visa is intended for those who wish to enter South Africa for the purpose of receiving medical treatment, undergoing a medical procedure, participating in a rehabilitation programme, or obtaining specialised healthcare services that may not be readily available in their country of residence. The Medical Treatment Visa is also available to those who require medical care once they are already in South Africa. Applicants must demonstrate that they are under the care of a medical professional in South Africa and that they have sufficient finances to cover their treatment and stay.
The Medical Treatment Visa may be issued for up to six months at a time and can be renewed from within South Africa.
06
Study Visa
A Study Visa may be issued to those who have been accepted by a recognised educational institution in South Africa and wish to pursue full-time studies at a primary school, secondary school, college, university, technical institution, language school, or other accredited educational provider. The Study Visa allows the holder to conduct part-time work in South Africa, for up to 20 hours per week.
A Study Visa is generally issued for the duration of the specific academic programme and may be renewed from within South Africa.
07
Exchange Visa
An Exchange Visa is intended for foreign nationals participating in approved exchange programmes in South Africa. These programmes are designed to promote cultural, educational, professional, and skills-based exchanges between South Africa and other countries.
The Exchange Visa is issued for the duration of the exchange programme.
08
Intra-Company Work Visa
The Intra-Company Transfer Visa is designed for employees of multinational companies who are temporarily transferred from a foreign office to a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the same company in South Africa. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they will be in a position to transfer skills and knowledge to the other employees of the company in South Africa.
The Intra-Company Transfer Visa may be issued for up to four years and is generally not renewable in South Africa.
09
Relative’s Visa
A Relative’s Visa may be issued to family members of a South African citizen or permanent resident who are within the second degree of kinship – i.e. spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild. Generally, a Relative’s Visa does not allow for the right to work in South Africa*.
A Relative’s Visa may be issued for up to two years and is renewable from within South Africa.
*Spouses of South African citizens or permanent residents may be authorised to work in South Africa (see Spousal Visa above) and, following a landmark decision of the Constitutional Court in 2023, parents of South African citizens and permanent residents may now apply for the right to work in South Africa. This was confirmed by Immigration Circular 11 of 2024.
10
Accompanying Spouse and Children
Accompanying Visas may be issued to the spouse and children of those applying for a visa under any other category.
11
Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP)
The ZEP is part of a special immigration programme that was introduced by the Department of Home Affairs to qualifying Zimbabwean nationals. The continuation of the programme is currently subject to re-evaluation, but all ZEPs have automatically been extended until May 2027. Holders of ZEPs continue to have the right to live, work, and study in South Africa.
While the programme is being re-evaluated, the holders of ZEPs are encouraged to explore and apply for alternative visa categories for which they qualify. Where the holder of a ZEP does not qualify under another visa category, but is gainfully employed in South Africa, they may apply for a waiver and a General Work Visa.
Not Sure Which Visa Applies?
Book a consultation, and we will discuss all your available options and help you identify the best legal pathway.