PERMANENT SOUTH AFRICAN RESIDENCE

Direct Residence

1.	The applicant is the holder of a work permit, including one issued under a corporate permit for five years and has received an offer for permanent employment.
2.	The applicant is the spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident provided that a good-faith spousal relationship exists.
3.	The applicant is a child of a citizen or resident under the age of 21 years.
4.	The applicant is a child of a citizen above the age of 21 years.

Click on the links above, to read more about the documentation requirements for each.

ANY PERSON WHO IS A HOLDER OF A SOUTH AFRICAN PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT, QUALIFIES FOR SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENSHIP THROUGH NATURALISATION AFTER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS CONTINUOUS RESIDENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

A permanent resident does not qualify for a permanent position as a civil servant in the service of the State, as South African citizenship is a pre-requisite for such posts.

Permanent residents do not have an automatic right to vote in elections; they are not entitled to South African passports.

Permanent residents could lose the right to permanent residence after being absent from South Africa for a continuous period of five years.

Under certain circumstances a permanent resident may be liable to deportation.

Permanent residents are expected to be loyal and law-abiding inhabitants, respecting the rights of others, and subscribing to South Africa's Bill of Rights.

Fees: the fees payable are adjusted on an annual basis. Please contact (click here for details) the Embassy should you require more information.

• Click here for Permanent Residence through Other Grounds.