Temporary residence
Work, business, spousal, study, relative, retired-person and visitor visas.
SA Immigration
South African immigration
First applications from abroad, renewals and changes of status, permanent residence and citizenship — and the civic documents that come with living in South Africa.
Overview
We assist first-time applicants lodging from abroad, holders of a temporary visa who need a renewal or a change of conditions, and applicants for permanent residence and citizenship. Temporary visas run from about thirty days to five years, depending on the category. Permanent residence, once granted, carries a South African identity number and ends the renewal cycle.
You need not name the category before you write. We assess the facts and place the matter in the correct visa, permit or waiver process.
Permanent residence
Spousal, retirement and financial-independence categories, and proof of status.
Citizenship
Naturalisation for permanent residents under the South African Citizenship Act.
Waivers & appeals
Internal reviews and ministerial appeals, waivers, overstays and undesirability.
Civic services
Where Home Affairs will not produce a civil document in the ordinary way, we prepare and follow the civic file. That includes:
- Birth certificates — abridged and unabridged; registration within thirty days; late registration of birth.
- Marriage interviews and certificates — interviews where a foreign national marries a citizen; unabridged marriage certificates for use abroad.
- Passports — first issue and renewal.
- Identity documents — citizens from age 16; permanent residents must apply within twelve months of grant.
- Death certificates — for the population register, estates and related purposes.
A wait of more than three months is ordinarily unreasonable (first identity documents excepted). Where a civic file does not move, we follow it up in writing with the Department.
Gender marker
A change of sex description on a South African document is governed by the Alteration of Sex Description and Sex Status Act 49 of 2003. The Act applies where the person has undergone surgical or medical treatment to alter their sex description, or meets the other grounds the statute provides.
The application requires at least two medical reports. A South African identity number encodes date of birth in the first six digits and sex in the next four, so a successful application produces a new identity number. We prepare the application, help you obtain the reports in the form the Department expects, and follow the matter through at Home Affairs.
Speak to us about your matter
Monday to Friday 08:00–16:30. Email is best for a first enquiry — include the facts and any deadline.