South African Immigration Guides
Navigate South Africa's visa and permit pathways.
We've researched every pathway — documents, costs, locations, and processes — so you can apply with confidence. Based on the Immigration Act and current DHA requirements.
Fill in the form and we'll generate a pre-filled summary matching all the DHA forms you need to submit. No data is stored on our servers.
Choose your pathway
Which visa or permit do you need?
Each pathway has its own eligibility criteria, document requirements, and process. Select yours below for a complete guide.
Critical Skills Work Visa
For qualified professionals in high-demand occupations
Processing
4–8 weeks
Validity
5 years
Legal basis
Section 19(4)
General Work Visa
Employment-tied permit requiring a confirmed SA job offer
Processing
4–8 weeks
Validity
Up to 5 years
Legal basis
Section 19(2)
Business Visa
For entrepreneurs establishing or investing in a SA business
Processing
4–8 weeks
Validity
3 years
Legal basis
Section 15
Study Visa
For students enrolled at accredited South African institutions
Processing
4–8 weeks
Validity
Duration of course
Legal basis
Section 13
Remote Work Visa
For digital nomads employed by companies outside SA
Processing
6–8 weeks
Validity
Up to 3 years
Legal basis
Section 11(1)(b)(iv)
Permanent Residence
Make South Africa your permanent home — no expiry, no renewals
Processing
12–24 months
Validity
Permanent
Legal basis
Sections 26 & 27
Citizenship by Naturalisation
Become a South African citizen after 5+ years of permanent residence
Processing
12–24 months
Validity
Permanent citizenship
Legal basis
South African Citizenship Act
What you get
Every guide includes the same depth.
We don't write generic overviews. Each pathway guide gives you the complete picture — verifiable, specific, and actionable.
Full document checklists
Every document required, with certified copy counts, validity periods, and where to obtain each one.
Exact costs in ZAR
VFS Global fees, DHA fees, medical costs, SAQA evaluation fees — all itemised with current amounts.
Where to get each document
Physical addresses, phone numbers, websites, and hours of operation for every relevant authority.
Realistic timelines
Honest processing estimates based on DHA backlogs — not optimistic government website figures.
Legal basis cited
Every guide references the exact section of the Immigration Act and relevant regulations.
Interactive checklists
Track your documents as you go.
Every guide comes with an interactive checklist. Tick off documents as you collect them — your progress is saved in your browser so you can pick up where you left off.
Valid passport (all pages)
SAQA foreign qualification evaluation
Medical certificate (BI-811)
SA Police Clearance Certificate
Professional body registration
Applying for citizenship?
Already a permanent resident? We have the citizenship guide covered.
Our original and most detailed guide. Every document, every DHA office, every form — plus an application assistant to pre-fill your DHA forms.
This site is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs and VFS Global before submitting any application. Immigration requirements, fees, and processing times change — confirm before applying.