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Renewing your South African life partner visa

On January 15, 2020 / by Andrew Wicks / Leave a comment

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. This permit falls under the temporary visa classification and, with additional application, allows the bearer not only to live but also to work, study or run their own business in South Africa. South Africa’s progressive human rights means this is an option for both heterosexual and same-sex partnerships. Here are some of the rules regarding renewing your life partner visa, the application process and when you may need to ‘renew’.

Most South African visa renewals are as much work as a first-time visa application. When it comes to a life partner visa renewals, you’ll have to prove again that your relationship is stable and exclusive, and that you’re both committed to the relationship.

You’ll have to provide the following to the Department of Home Affairs:

  • You are co-habitating – When renewing your South African life partner visa, you’ll have to prove that you are still living together. You’ll again have to submit proof such as utility bills or rental agreements in both partners’ names, spanning the last two years.
  • You share financial responsibilities – The Department of Home Affairs want to see that you support each other financially. You will need to provide proof of items such as shared bills, assets and liabilities. This proof must cover two years
  • You must submit your application for a South African life partner visa at least 60 days before your existing visa expires. With that said, you cannot apply for an extension more than 6 months before the expiry date of your existing visa.
  • Life partner visa renewals are taking around 3 months to reach an outcome

Temporary life partner visas in South Africa 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.

If you’re looking for assistance with your visa, we’re here to help! By using an immigration consultant, you also get the peace of mind of knowing that your application is in the hands of someone up to date on all immigration legislation.

If you’re looking to use one of our Immigration consultants for all your immigration needs, make sure you get in touch with us today!

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Andrew Wicks

Andrew Wicks

Over the past 11 years, Andrew’s entrepreneurial spirit, as well as his business acumen, has led to the establishment of small to medium enterprises worldwide. Promising opportunities in the fields of IT, mobile distribution and advertising (amongst others) have been converted into successful business units in a variety of global markets. Andrew returned to South Africa after seven years in Europe to found Initiate International. He remains totally hands-on and has expanded the company across three continents.

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