The Middle East is an ambiguous geographical construct. It is, after all, an expanse that spans three continents: Africa, Asia and Europe. There are also elements of shared history, language and religion, none of which entirely encompass the region.
The Middle East is an ambiguous geographical construct. It is, after all, an expanse that spans three continents: Africa, Asia and Europe. There are also elements of shared history, language and religion, none of which entirely encompass the region.
Applications for permanent residency in South Africa are considered in terms of Section 26 (Direct Residency Permits) and Section 27 (Residency-on-Other-Grounds Permits) of the Immigration Act 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002), and read with Regulation 33 of the Immigration Regulations. In terms of granting Permanent Residency Permits, emphasis is placed on immigrants who are in a position to make a meaningful contribution to broadening the economic base of South Africa.
You may be considered a prohibited person if:
You are infected with infectious diseases that can spread easily. These diseases include cholera; pestilence, yellow fever and any other diseases as determined by the Department of Health from time to time
You have a warrant of arrest against you or a conviction for genocide, torture, drug trafficking, money laundering, kidnapping, terrorism, or murder secured in South Africa or any country with which South Africa has regular diplomatic relations
You are a member or supporter of an organisation practising racial hatred or social violence
You are a member of an organisation using crime or terrorism to reach its goals
You have previously been deported and have not been rehabilitated by the Department in the prescribed manner.
In order to make an application for a permanent residency permit, applicants must first submit representation to the Minister of Home Affairs motivating why he or she should be declared not to be a prohibited person or an undesirable person.
You may be deemed to be rehabilitated if:
you submit a sworn affidavit or solemn declaration that you will comply with the Act
the Department has no reason to believe that you are inclined to violate the Act again
you have not been inside the Republic of South Africa for a period of 4 years or more
alternatively, you may be deemed to be rehabilitated by a forfeiture to the State of R50 000 (which may be reduced to R2000 if you paid for the cost of your deportation as well as the related costs).
You may be deemed to be an undesirable person if
you are or are likely to become a public charge
you are identified by the Minister (after consultation with the Immigration Advisory Board as undesirable o you have been judicially declared incompetent
you are an un-rehabilitated insolvent
you are a fugitive from justice
you have a previous criminal conviction without the option of a fine for conduct which would be an offence in South Africa (with the exclusion of certain prescribed offences).
In order to make an application for a permanent residency permit, applicants must first submit representation to the Minister of Home Affairs motivating why he or she should be declared not to be a prohibited person or an undesirable person.
It is only after the Minister of Home Affairs has declared a prospective immigrant not to be a prohibited/undesirable person, that an application for permanent residency status can be submitted.
Once you have received a positive response from the Minister of Home Affairs, you may submit an application for either a Direct Residency Permit or a Residency-on-Other-Grounds Permit.
Direct residence permits
This category of permit is applicable to foreigners who have been residing in South Africa on the basis of their work permits for a minimum period of five years, their spouses and also to dependents of South African citizens/permanent residence permit holders.
To apply for a direct residency permit you need to complete Form BI-947.
Residency-on-other-grounds permits
This category of permits applies to foreigners who:
are in possession of a permanent work offer in South Africa, or
have exceptional skills and qualifications
intend to establish a business in South Africa
qualify as Refugees in terms of Section 27(c) of the Refugees Act
qualify as retired persons
are financially independent
are relatives (biologically or judicially adopted) of a South African citizen/permanent residence permit holder
In addition to completing and submitting Form BI-947, you must also provide the following documentation:
A full set of fingerprints
A marriage certificate / Proof of spousal relationship, if applicable
A divorce decree / proof of legal separation, if applicable
Proof of custody of a minor, if applicable
A death certificate for a late spouse, if applicable
The consent of parents in the case of minors
Proof of judicial adoption of a minor, if applicable
Police clearance certificates for all countries in which you resided for a period of one year or longer since your 18th birthday
A valid temporary residency permit (if already in South Africa).
Additional documents are applicable to the different immigration categories and these are listed in the permanent residence application Form BI-947.
