How to apply for a retired persons permit

If you are a foreigner who wants to retire in South Africa, you may apply for a permanent residence permit under the category of retired persons.

To apply for the retired person’s permit, you must provide evidence that you are financially secure, in the form of a lifelong pension or income of not less than R20 000 per month.

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.

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.
• Submit the following:
• passport valid for no less than 30 days after expiry of the intended visit
• a full set of fingerprints 
• medical and radiological reports
• police clearance certificate (s) if you are 18 years or older from the countries you resided for more than one year
• full birth certificate for each dependent child if you are bringing your children with you
• a marriage certificate, if applicable
• valid temporary residence permit if the application is made in South Africa
• proof to the Department of Home Affairs that you have the right to a pension, irrevocable annuity, or a retirement account, that will give you a prescribed minimum amount of R20 000 per month
• alternatively, you must prove to the Department of Home Affairs that you have a combination of assets realising a monthly income of R20 000.
  

Timeframe

It may take six months to finalise the application.

How much does it cost

R1 520

Forms to complete

• * Application for permanent residence permit, BI-947
• * Power of attorney in respect of an application for a temporary or permanent residence permit, BI-29

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