Can spouses and life partners work in South Africa?

Can spouses and life partners work in South Africa?One of the most common questions we get asked is whether a spouse or life partner of a South African citizen or permanent resident can work in South Africa. After all, many foreigners coming to South Africa would like to earn an income to help support their families.

As a permanent resident, with a permanent permit, you are free to work, start a business or even study in South Africa. You don’t need any special permits to do so.

While you’re still in South Africa on a temporary visa, however, you would need an endorsement in order to work, start a business or study. Endorsements are relatively easy to obtain, so you should be able to embark on your new journey not too long after your search for employment has begun.

For more information on the requirements around endorsements for temporary residents on spousal visas, please continue reading.

Working as a spouse or life partner

Many countries allow foreign immigrants to take up work based on the fact that their spouse or life partner is from the country in question. This is not the case in South Africa. Spouses or life partners of South Africans must obtain temporary residence and an endorsement in order to work in the country:

  • Foreigners can only apply for an endorsement once they have a job offer.
  • An endorsement is specific to that employer. A change of employer would mean applying for a new endorsement.

Here is some fantastic news – obtaining an endorsement is much easier than obtaining a work permit. With an endorsement there is no need for the employer to prove that a South African could not be found to fill the position. This makes it much easier on the prospective employer and it gives the foreign immigrant a greater chance of securing a job.

Owning and running a business as a spouse or life partner

Immigrants in possession of a temporary South African spousal or life partner visa can start or buy into a business. Again, this is subject to the person having an endorsement.

For an endorsement application to be successful, the applicant must be able to substantiate that an entity exists under which the business can run. This could be, for instance, a Pty Ltd organisation.

Obtaining an endorsement for a life partner or spouse is very different to applying for a business visa. All the requirements in terms of capital input, amount of South African employers and submitting a business plan fall away.

Studying as a spouse or life partner

Spouses and life partners are free to study in South Africa, provided they are temporary residents and have obtained an endorsement. Immigrants can’t start their studies without either.

Contact Intergate Immigration today

To find out more about how to obtain endorsements, call Intergate Immigration to speak to one of our experience client managers. You can reach us at +27 (0) 21 424 2460.

If you’d like us to contact you instead of the other way around, simply complete our free online assessment or request a call back. In the meantime, have a look at our spousal and life partner pages to see how to apply for a spousal or life partner visa for South Africa.

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South African Life Partner Visa

South African Life Partner Visa If your long-term South African partner has decided to return home, you would most likely want to move with them. With  a South African life partner visa in your name this will be possible.

The first step to obtaining a life partner visa is to see if you qualify. You can complete our free online assessment to see if you do. If you’d like to speak to someone, you can call us at +27 (0) 21 424 2460.

To get a better understanding of life partner visas in the meantime, have a look at the information below.

What is a South African life partner visa?

A South African life partner visa is a means for long-term foreign partners to stay with their South African partners on the basis of their relationship. It has been designed to offer a solution for a long-term stay in South Africa. In cases where a short stay is planned, i.e. no longer than 90 days or roughly 3 months, a tourist or visitor’s visa would be adequate.

Who can apply for a life partner visa?

A life partner (boyfriend or girlfriend) of a South African citizen or permanent resident can apply for a South African life partner visa.

Do same-sex partnerships qualify?

South Africa has progressive human rights and does not discriminate against same-sex partnerships. Partners in same-sex marriages can indeed apply for a South African life partner visa.

What about our children?

The criteria, regulations and processes around children are intricate. Instead of working through it all yourself, we recommend that you speak to us. Our experienced client managers will be able to give specific and personalised advice.

Can I work or study on a life partner visa?

Life partners with permanent residence are free to work, study or start a business in South Africa. In order to do so while on a temporary South African life partner visa, the life partner of a South African citizen or permanent resident must obtain an endorsement.

How long is a life partner visa valid for?

Temporary life partner visas are normally valid for 2 to 3 years. Successful renewals would depend on the applicant still meeting the criteria for a life partner visa.

In the event that the partnership has been 5 years or longer, a permanent application can be made. Due to the lengthy processing times for permanent residency, it is advised to apply for a temporary and permanent visa at the same time.

What are the requirements for a life partner visa?

The main criteria for a South African life partner visa is the legitimacy of the relationship held by the applicant. Foreign immigrants applying for a temporary visa must be able to show cohabitation of at least 2 years with their partner. They must also prove that a sum of ZAR8 500 per person per month is available for living expenses. Those seeking permanent residence must be able to provide proof of cohabitation for 5 years.

How do I apply for a South African life partner visa?

Foreign immigrants must submit proof of their relationship as well as all other necessary documentation, as determined by the South African Department of Home Affairs.

While it is possible to do application yourself, why not let us handle it for you? Intergate Immigration has processed more than 9 000 visa and visa related application since our inception in 2005.

Speak to one of our consultants today by calling +27 (0) 21 424 2460. If you’d like us to call you, all you have to do is complete our assessment form or request a call back. One of our consultants will endeavour to contact you within 24 hours.

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South African Spousal Visa

South African Spousal Visa Being married to a South African citizen or permanent resident that lives in the country means you would most likely want to live with them. It’s to be expected and with a South African spousal visa in your pocket it is possible.

The first step to obtaining a spousal visa is to see if you qualify. You can complete our free online assessment to see if you do. If you’d like to speak to someone, you can call us at +27 (0) 21 424 2460.

To get a better understanding of spousal visas in the meantime, have a look at the information below.

What is a South African spousal visa?

A South African spousal visa is a means for foreign spouses to stay with their South African partners on the basis of their relationship. It has been designed to offer a solution for a long-term stay in South Africa. Foreign immigrants who want to visit their spouse for a short period of time, i.e. no longer 90 days or roughly 3 months, would only need to apply for a tourist or visitor’s visa.

Who can apply for a spousal visa?

The husband or wife of a South African citizen or permanent resident can apply for a South African spousal visa. Life partners would apply for a life partner visa. You can learn more about this option on the life partner visa page.

Do same-sex partnerships qualify?

South Africa has progressive human rights and does not discriminate against same-sex partnerships. Partners in same-sex marriages can indeed apply for a South African spousal visa.

What about our children?

The criteria, regulations and processes around children are intricate. It can get confusing very quickly, so instead of working through all the information yourself rather speak to one of our experienced consultants.

Can I work or study on a spousal visa?

While a foreign spouse with permanent residency is free to work, study or start a business in South Africa, a spouse with a temporary South African spousal visa must obtain an endorsement before taking up any of those activities.

How long is a spousal visa valid for?

A temporary spousal visas is normally valid for 2 to 3 years after which it can be renewed. The success of the renewal would be dependent on the applicant meeting the criteria for the visa again.

Where a spousal relationship has been 5 years or longer, a permanent application can be made. Due to the lengthy processing times for permanent residency, it is advised to apply for a temporary and permanent visa at the same time.

What are the requirements for a spousal visa?

The main criteria for a spousal visa is the legitimacy of the relationship held by the applicant. To prove the relationship, foreign immigrants and their partners must be able to prove that a genuine marriage exists.

How do I apply for a South African spousal visa?

Foreign immigrants must submit proof of their relationship as well as all other necessary documentation, as determined by the South African Department of Home Affairs.

Take the hassle out of your application by letting us handle it for you. Intergate Immigration has helped thousands of individuals, families and companies with their visa and visa related applications since our inception in 2005. In fact, we’ve processed in excess of 9 000 applications.

To speak to someone, please call +27 (0) 21 424 2460. If you’d like us to call you, all you have to do is complete our assessment form or request a call back. As soon as we’ve received your details, one of our consultants will undertake to contact you within 24 hours.

Title

First Name *

Surname *

Email Address *

Telephone Number

Language *

Country Of Residence *

What Visa would you apply for? *

Where in SA would you move to? *

Comments *