whereTOemigrate
Get your free results
ZA country scene

Visitor visa — spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident (section 11(6))

South AfricaFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in South Africa Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

The qualifying relationship is spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident. The official source does not define 'spouse' or address other family relationships.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The evidence does not define 'spouse' or address other family relationships.
  • Official provision
    a visitor's visa may be issued to a foreigner who is the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The sponsor is the spouse who is a South African citizen or permanent resident. The official source does not specify further sponsor requirements.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No further sponsor requirements are specified in the evidence.
  • Official provision
    a visitor's visa may be issued to a foreigner who is the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

The visa is valid only while the good faith spousal relationship exists, which implies proof of a genuine spousal relationship is required. Specific documentary proof is not detailed in the evidence.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Specific documentary proof requirements for the spousal relationship are not detailed in the evidence.
  • Official provision
    such visa shall only be valid while the good faith spousal relationship exists

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

Special financial and other guarantees may be prescribed in respect of the issuance of a visitor's visa to certain prescribed classes of foreigners. No specific financial, accommodation, insurance, or maintenance responsibilities for this route are detailed in the evidence.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No specific financial, accommodation, insurance, or maintenance responsibilities for this route are detailed in the evidence.
  • Official provision
    Special financial and other guarantees may be prescribed in respect of the issuance of a visitor's visa to certain prescribed classes of foreigners.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

The visa is valid only while the good faith spousal relationship exists. On application, the holder may be authorised to perform any of the activities provided for in the visas contemplated in sections 13 to 22. The holder must apply for permanent residence contemplated in section 26(b) within three months from the date upon which he or she qualifies to be issued with that visa. The official source does not specify the full application process and duration.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The full application process and duration are not specified in the evidence.
  • Official provision
    such visa shall only be valid while the good faith spousal relationship exists
  • Official provision
    on application, the holder of such visa may be authorised to perform any of the activities provided for in the visas contemplated in sections 13 to 22
  • Official provision
    the holder of such visa shall apply for permanent residence contemplated in section 26(b) within three months from the date upon which he or she qualifies to be issued with that visa.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

Explore more pathways in South Africa · All pathways

Your story.
Your next step.

Explore pathways in South Africa →