Immigrants wishing to relocate to South Africa on a permanent basis need to fulfil certain requirements before they can be granted permanent residency. Those seeking permanent immigration to South Africa must be of unquestionable character, able to exist in a multicultural environment and should possess unique skills which are in short supply in the country.
Immigrants who are not in South Africa make applications from their country while those already in South Africa make their immigration to South Africa applications at the Home Affairs office closest to them. This group of immigrants are classified into four categories.
• Immigrants who have previously been awarded temporary work permits.
• Relatives and spouses of South African citizens who are in the country legally on temporary permits.
• Immigrants been sponsored by blood relatives who are in South Africa legally.
• Those who have been granted temporary permit waivers.
There are various categories under which one can apply for permanent residency. Some of these include investors, retirees and skilled professional.
Documents required by the Home Affairs office include marriage/divorce certificates, death certificates, the current temporary permit and documents from police offices vouching for you.
Once one attains permanent residency, one is accorded all the rights accorded by South African law except the right to take part in South African elections and the right to a South African passport.
Since permanent residency is granted to those wishing to settle permanently in South Africa, once the status is attained an immigrant should not leave South Africa for periods exceeding three years without having given prior notice to the Home Office. Failure to give such a notice could lead to the cancellation of the permanent residency status.