About applying for permanent residence permit -Spouse

If you are a foreigner and married or having a spousal relationship with a South African citizen or permanent resident for a period of five years or more, you can apply for permanent residence permit-spouse.

If you divorce within two years after receiving your permanent residence permit, the permit will lapse (become invalid), except in case of death.

A permanent residence permit allows you to apply for South African citizenship after two years of acquiring the permanent residence permit.

As a permanent residence holder, you have all the rights as a South African Citizen accept except for the old age grant and voting.

Note: The benefits in terms of the Immigration Act are extended to only one spouse. The Department Of Home Affairs will assess your application when applying for permanent residence and still reserves the right to either approve or reject the application.

What you should do

• Apply at any nearest Home Affairs office or at a South African Foreign Offices if applying abroad.
• Complete forms, BI-947 and BI-29 if you have a representative, BI-1712 A and BI-1712 B after receipt of permit
• Your spouse must give declaration of support.
  
• Submit the following:
• identity document of your spouse if your spouse is a citizen or a permanent resident permit  (if your spouse is a permanent resident)
• certified copy of your marriage certificate
• a proof that you have been a spouse of a citizen or permanent residence holder for 5 years
• you will be interviewed by the Home Affairs official before you can submit your application
• after two years of issuance of permanent residence permit, you and your spouse need to go to Home Affairs offices for the interview, to check if the spousal relationship still exist.
  

Timeframe

It may take six months to finalise the application.

How much does it cost

This service is free.

Forms to complete

• * Application for permanent residence permit , BI-947
• * Power of attorney in respect of an application/extension of (an) immigration permit(s) or temporary residence, BI-29
• * To be completed in the case of initial application, BI-1712 A
  
• * To be completed in order to demonstrate that the spousal relationship continues to exist, BI-1712B.
  

Note: *Special specifications and requirements regarding the processing of this form apply and it may therefore not be downloaded for use as an application or registration form. All forms are available at any regional or district office of the Department.

Who to contact