Form DHA-1738 — Application for Temporary Residence Permit
If the link above does not open: Visit dha.gov.za and search for DHA-1738. Also referred to as BI-1738.
What Is Form DHA-1738?
Form DHA-1738 — also referred to as BI-1738 — is the official Department of Home Affairs application form for a South African Temporary Residence Permit (TRP). It is used by foreign nationals who need to remain in South Africa for an extended period beyond a short-stay visa exemption.
Temporary residence permits are governed by section 11 to 23 of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002. The permit category determines which sections of the form you complete and what supporting documents are required.
Who Needs Form DHA-1738?
Foreign nationals applying for any of the following temporary residence categories need Form DHA-1738:
- Work permit (general work visa, critical skills work visa, intra-company transfer visa)
- Study permit
- Business visa
- Medical treatment visa
- Relative’s visa (accompanying or visiting a South African citizen or permanent resident)
- Spousal or life partner visa
- Retired person’s visa
- Exchange visa
- Other temporary residence categories
South African citizens and permanent residents do not need Form DHA-1738.
How to Complete Form DHA-1738
Form DHA-1738 is a multi-page document. The applicable sections depend on which permit category you are applying for.
Complete in English only. All supporting documents not in English must be translated by a sworn translator and the translation attached.
Complete in black ink, block letters. Do not use correction fluid.
General sections (all applicants complete these):
- Personal details (full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth)
- Current immigration status in South Africa
- Permit category applied for
- Intended period of stay
- Financial means of support
Category-specific sections: Each permit category has additional sections and a corresponding document checklist. Complete only the sections relevant to your specific application.
General Documents Required With DHA-1738
The following are required for all DHA-1738 applications. Additional documents specific to your permit category are listed in the checklist attached to the form.
- Completed Form DHA-1738
- Valid passport (original and certified copy, valid for at least 30 days beyond the intended permit period)
- All previous South African permits and visas (certified copies)
- Radiological report (chest X-ray — Form DHA-806) not more than 6 months old
- Medical certificate (Form DHA-811)
- Recent passport-size colour photographs
- Police clearance certificate(s) from your home country and any country you have lived in for 12 months or more
- Proof of payment of the prescribed fee
Category-specific documents are listed in the DHA-1738 form checklists and vary considerably. Work visas require employment offer letters and qualifications; study permits require acceptance letters from registered institutions; business visas require company registration documents.
Where to Submit DHA-1738
From outside South Africa: Submit at the South African embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or at a VFS Global application centre where available. Applications must be submitted before entering South Africa.
From inside South Africa (permit extensions or changes of conditions): Submit at a DHA regional office with a dedicated immigration services division. Applications to extend or change a permit must be submitted before the current permit expires.
Processing Time
Processing times vary by permit category and application volume. Allow a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks. Complex work visa applications, particularly those involving the Department of Employment and Labour (for critical skills and general work visas), can take significantly longer.
There is no official fast-track service. Bridging visa status (the right to remain in South Africa while a permit application is being processed) applies if you applied before your existing permit expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in South Africa on a visitor’s visa while my work permit is being processed? No. Working without a valid work permit is illegal in South Africa. You must hold a valid work permit before commencing employment, even if your work permit application is in progress.
My permit is expiring — when should I apply for a renewal? Apply at least 60 days before your current permit expires to ensure continuity of status. Bridging status applies from the date of a valid application, but you must be in-country and apply before the permit expires.
What is the difference between a visa and a temporary residence permit? A visa (Form DHA-84) allows entry for a short stay — typically up to 90 days for exempt nationalities. A temporary residence permit (Form DHA-1738) authorises a longer stay for a specific purpose. The permit is the formal document that allows you to live, work, or study in South Africa.
Do I need DHA-1738 if I have a critical skills work visa? Yes. All temporary residence permit applications, including critical skills work visas, use Form DHA-1738 with the relevant category-specific sections and supporting documentation.
Related Forms
- Form DHA-84 — Visa Application — for short-stay visas
- Form DHA-947 — Permanent Residence Permit — for permanent residence applications
- Form DHA-1712A — Spousal Affidavit — required for spousal or life partner permit applications
- Form DHA-529 — Determination of Citizenship Status