How to apply for a financially independent persons permit      

If you are a financially independent foreigner with a net worth of R7.5 million or more, you may apply for permanent residence in South Africa.

You will be required to pay a once-off fee of R75 000 upon approval of the application.

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 form, BI-947 and BI-29, if you have representative.
• Submit the following:
• a full set of fingerprints (not applicable to applicants under the age of 18) 
• passport valid for no less than 30 days after expiry of the intended visit
• a 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
• birth certificate for each dependent child if you are bringing your children with you
• a valid temporary residence permit if the application is made in South Africa
• an original radiological report (not applicable to pregnant women and applicants under the age of 12) 
• an original police clearance certificate/s not older than six months at the time of submission
• proof that you have a prescribed minimum net worth of R7,5 million and have paid to the Department of Home Affairs the prescribed amount of R75 000 as a fee.
  

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/extension of (an) immigration permit(s) or temporary residence, 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

Department of Home Affairs