To apply for permanent residence in South Africa, you choose the category you qualify for under section 26 or 27 of the Immigration Act, pay the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) fee of R1,520 (spouses and children under 21 pay nothing), complete Form DHA-947, and submit your documents and biometrics at a VFS Global centre. A medical report is no longer required.
In summary
- Who can apply: people who have held a work visa for five years, spouses of five years, children of citizens or permanent residents, critical skills holders, business investors, retirees, financially independent people, certain refugees, and parents or children of citizens or permanent residents.
- Form: DHA-947 (also called BI-947), completed online before your VFS appointment.
- DHA fee: R1,520. No DHA fee for spouses (26(b)), children under 21 (26(c)) and refugees (27(d)). Financially independent applicants pay R120,000 more on approval.
- VFS service fee: R1,750 (since June 2026).
- Medical and X-ray reports: no longer required (medical waived July 2026, radiology waived April 2023).
- Police clearances: from every country you lived in for 12 months or more after age 18, in the last five years, including South Africa.
- Official processing target: 8 months for work, critical skills and business routes. About 11 to 12 months (240 working days) for spouses, children, relatives, retirees and others.
- If refused: you have 10 working days to appeal to the Director-General.
Who Can Apply for Permanent Residence
There are two groups of permanent residence categories. Section 26 (“direct residence”) is for people with a long-standing link to South Africa. Section 27 (“residence on other grounds”) is for people who qualify through skills, money, investment or family.
Section 26: direct residence
| Category | Who qualifies | DHA fee |
|---|---|---|
| 26(a) Worker | Has held a work visa for five years and has an offer of permanent employment | R1,520 |
| 26(b) Spouse | Has been the spouse or life partner of a citizen or permanent resident for five years, in a good faith relationship | None |
| 26(c) Child under 21 | Is under 21 and the child of a citizen or permanent resident | None |
| 26(d) Child of a citizen | Is the child (any age) of a South African citizen | R1,520 |
Two conditions catch people out:
- 26(b) spouses: the permit lapses if the relationship ends within two years of the permit being issued, unless the relationship ended because your spouse died.
- 26(c) children: the permit lapses if the child does not apply to confirm it within two years of turning 18.
Section 27: residence on other grounds
| Category | Who qualifies | Key requirement | DHA fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27(a) Permanent job offer | Has an offer of permanent employment | The job was advertised and no suitable citizen or permanent resident was available | R1,520 |
| 27(b) Extraordinary skills | Has extraordinary skills or qualifications | This is the usual route for critical skills holders | R1,520 |
| 27(c) Business | Has established or invested in a business in South Africa | The prescribed investment, currently R5 million (can be waived or reduced for national interest businesses) | R1,520 |
| 27(d) Refugee | Is a recognised refugee | 10 years’ continuous residence since asylum was granted, plus certification by the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs | None |
| 27(e) Retired person | Intends to retire in South Africa | A pension, annuity or retirement income of at least R37,000 a month for life | R1,520 |
| 27(f) Financially independent | Has a high net worth | A net worth of at least R12 million, plus a once-off payment of R120,000 on approval | R1,520 + R120,000 |
| 27(g) Relative | Is a relative of a citizen or permanent resident within the first step of kinship | First step means parents and children only. Brothers and sisters do not qualify | R1,520 |
Refugees: the waiting period changed from five years to ten years when the Refugees Amendment Act came into force on 1 January 2020. Older guides still say five years.
Permanent Residence Document Checklist
Use this checklist before you book. Originals must be shown at VFS. Any document not in English needs a sworn translation.
Documents every applicant needs
- Form DHA-947, completed online and signed
- Valid passport (with copies of the photo page and your current visa)
- Two recent passport photos
- Full (unabridged) birth certificate
- Police clearance certificates from every country where you lived for 12 months or more after turning 18, during the last five years. Include a South African police clearance if you have lived here for 12 months or more. Certificates must not be older than six months
- Marriage certificate, divorce order or death certificate of a former spouse, if applicable
- A valid temporary visa, if you are applying from inside South Africa
- Proof of payment of the DHA fee (where a fee applies)
No longer required:
- Medical report: waived for all permanent residence applications, inside South Africa and abroad, by Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026 (signed 8 July 2026, Government Gazette 55016). The waiver also covers applications already pending.
- Radiology (chest X-ray) report: waived by Immigration Directive No. 5 of 2023 from 11 April 2023.
If a VFS official or a checklist still asks for either report, ask them to check the directive.
Extra documents by category
| Category | Extra documents |
|---|---|
| 26(a) Worker | Copies of your work visas covering five years; the offer of permanent employment; your employer’s company registration details |
| 26(b) Spouse | Marriage certificate, or proof of a life partnership (a notarial agreement or affidavit); proof the relationship has existed for five years and still exists; your spouse’s South African ID or permanent residence permit |
| 26(c) and 26(d) Children | Unabridged birth certificate showing the parent; the parent’s South African ID or permanent residence permit; consent from the other parent where needed |
| 27(a) Job offer | The job offer and contract; proof the post was advertised in national media; employer documents showing no suitable citizen or permanent resident applied |
| 27(b) Extraordinary or critical skills | Your qualifications evaluated by SAQA; registration with the relevant professional body where required; proof of your skills and experience |
| 27(c) Business | A certificate from a chartered accountant confirming the investment; a business plan or financial statements |
| 27(d) Refugee | Your refugee status record and the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs certification |
| 27(e) Retired | Proof of a pension, annuity or retirement account paying at least R37,000 a month for the rest of your life |
| 27(f) Financially independent | A chartered accountant’s certificate of net worth (at least R12 million); a written undertaking to pay R120,000 on approval |
| 27(g) Relative | Unabridged birth certificate proving the parent or child relationship; your relative’s South African ID or permanent residence permit |
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Confirm your category. Pick the one section you clearly meet. Applying under the wrong category is a common reason for refusal.
- Get your police clearances first. Foreign police clearances can take weeks to months, and they expire after six months. Time them so they are still valid on your appointment date.
- Get documents certified, translated or apostilled. Foreign marriage, birth and divorce documents usually need an apostille or authentication from the country that issued them.
- Complete Form DHA-947 online on the VFS Global website and pay the VFS service fee to book an appointment.
- Pay the DHA fee of R1,520 if your category has one.
- Attend your VFS appointment. VFS takes your fingerprints and photo, checks your documents and sends the file to DHA in Pretoria. VFS does not decide your application.
- Track your application online with your VFS reference number.
- Collect your outcome at the VFS centre where you applied.
Keep your temporary visa valid while you wait. The temporary concessions DHA issues for backlogs do not cover permanent residence applicants, so a pending permanent residence application does not make you legal if your visa expires. Renew your temporary visa as needed.
Permanent Residence Fees in 2026
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence permit (most categories) | R1,520 | DHA |
| Spouse 26(b), child under 21 26(c), refugee 27(d) | No DHA fee | DHA |
| Financially independent 27(f), on approval | R120,000 | DHA |
| Proof of permanent residence (a new copy) | R100 | DHA |
| VFS service fee | R1,750 | VFS Global |
| VFS Premium Lounge (optional) | R750 | VFS Global |
DHA fees are from DHA’s official fee schedule, updated per Government Gazette 55209 of 17 August 2026. The VFS fee went up from R1,550 to R1,750 in June 2026. The VFS booking portal shows the amount you will pay. Fees are not refunded if your application is refused.
Some guides quote a DHA permanent residence fee of R4,425. That figure does not appear on DHA’s fee schedule.
How Long Permanent Residence Takes
DHA published official turnaround times in Immigration Circular No. 8 of 2026. They apply to applications submitted inside South Africa and are counted in working days.
| Category | Official target |
|---|---|
| Worker 26(a), extraordinary skills 27(b), business 27(c) | 8 months |
| Spouse and children 26(b), 26(c), 26(d) | 240 working days (about 11 to 12 months) |
| Job offer 27(a), refugee 27(d), retired 27(e), financially independent 27(f), relative 27(g) | 240 working days (about 11 to 12 months) |
| Appeal to the Director-General | 180 working days (about 9 months) |
| Appeal to the Minister | 240 working days (about 11 to 12 months) |
These are targets, not guarantees. Applications with missing or unclear documents take longer or are refused.
After Your Permanent Residence Is Approved
- You receive a permanent residence permit. Keep the original safe and make certified copies.
- Apply for a South African ID. Permanent residents can apply for a green ID book or, if eligible, a Smart ID card. Your ID number will show 1 as the 11th digit, which marks you as a permanent resident. See how permanent residents get a South African ID.
- You can work, study and run a business without a separate visa or endorsement.
- You can apply for citizenship later. Under the current Citizenship Act, you can apply for naturalisation after five years of permanent residence. See citizenship by naturalisation.
How You Can Lose Permanent Residence
- Being out of South Africa for more than three years in a row.
- A 26(b) spousal relationship ending within two years of the permit being issued, unless your spouse died.
- A 26(c) child not confirming the permit within two years of turning 18.
- A 27(c) business investment not being maintained. You must prove the investment is still in place two years after the permit is issued and again three years after that.
- Fraud or misrepresentation in your application.
What You Cannot Do
- You cannot apply from inside South Africa without valid status. If you apply here, you need a valid temporary visa on the day you submit. If your status has lapsed, you apply from abroad.
- You cannot apply under section 27(g) as a brother or sister of a citizen or permanent resident. Only parents and children qualify.
- You cannot get a South African passport as a permanent resident. You keep using your foreign passport until you become a citizen.
- You cannot register to vote. The voters’ roll is for South African citizens only.
- You cannot rely on your pending application to stay legally if your temporary visa expires.
If Your Application Is Refused
- Read the refusal letter carefully. It states the reason, and your appeal must answer that reason.
- Appeal to the Director-General within 10 working days of receiving the refusal (section 8(4) of the Immigration Act). Submit it through VFS.
- If the Director-General confirms the refusal, appeal to the Minister within 10 working days of that decision (section 8(6)).
- Court review is possible after the internal appeals. You need an attorney for this.
Missing the 10 working day deadline usually ends your right to appeal. Book your VFS appeal appointment as soon as you receive the letter.
Changes Coming to Permanent Residence
Cabinet approved the Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection in April 2026. It proposes moving permanent residence towards a merit and points based system instead of one based mainly on years spent in South Africa. It is policy, not law. The Minister has said he aims to table the legislation by March 2027. Until new laws are passed, the current categories, fees and requirements on this page apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does permanent residence cost in South Africa in 2026?
The DHA fee is R1,520 for most categories, plus the R1,750 VFS service fee. Spouses (26(b)), children under 21 (26(c)) and refugees (27(d)) pay no DHA fee, only the VFS fee. Financially independent applicants pay an extra R120,000 when approved. Police clearances, translations and apostilles cost extra.
Do I still need a medical report for permanent residence?
No. Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026 waived the medical report for all permanent residence applications from 8 July 2026, inside South Africa and abroad. The radiology (chest X-ray) report was already waived in April 2023.
How long does permanent residence take in South Africa?
DHA’s official target is 8 months for the worker, extraordinary skills and business categories. Spouses, children, relatives, retirees, financially independent applicants and refugees have a target of 240 working days, about 11 to 12 months. These targets apply to applications made inside South Africa.
Can I apply for permanent residence after five years of marriage?
Yes. Under section 26(b), you can apply once you have been the spouse or life partner of a citizen or permanent resident for five years, if the relationship is genuine and still exists. There is no DHA fee for this category. The permit lapses if the relationship ends within two years, unless your spouse dies.
Can my brother or sister sponsor me for permanent residence?
No. Section 27(g) only covers relatives within the first step of kinship, which means parents and children. A brother or sister can support a temporary relative’s visa, but not a permanent residence application.
How many years on a work visa do I need for permanent residence?
Five years on a work visa, plus an offer of permanent employment, under section 26(a). Critical skills holders can also apply under section 27(b) for extraordinary skills.
Which police clearances do I need for permanent residence?
You need a police clearance from every country where you lived for 12 months or more after turning 18, during the last five years. This includes South Africa if you have lived here for 12 months or more. Each certificate must be less than six months old when you submit.
Can I travel while my permanent residence application is pending?
Only if your temporary visa stays valid for your return. A pending permanent residence application does not give you legal status, and DHA’s backlog concessions do not cover permanent residence applicants.
How long do I have to appeal a permanent residence refusal?
You have 10 working days from receiving the refusal to appeal to the Director-General under section 8(4) of the Immigration Act. If that appeal fails, you have another 10 working days to appeal to the Minister under section 8(6).
Do permanent residents get a South African ID number?
Yes. Once your permit is approved, you apply for an ID like a citizen. The 11th digit of your ID number is 1, which shows you are a permanent resident. If you later become a citizen, it changes to 0.
Can a permanent resident vote in South Africa?
No. Only South African citizens can register on the voters’ roll. You can vote after you become a citizen through naturalisation.
Can I lose my permanent residence if I live overseas?
Yes. Permanent residence can be withdrawn if you are out of South Africa for more than three years in a row. If you plan a long stay abroad, get advice before you leave.
Related Guides
- Permanent resident ID in South Africa
- Smart ID for naturalised citizens and permanent residents
- Citizenship by naturalisation
- Work visas in South Africa
- Spousal and life partner visa
- Relative’s visa
Official Sources
- Immigration Act 13 of 2002, sections 8, 25, 26, 27 and 28
- DHA fee schedule, updated per Government Gazette 55209 (17 August 2026): dha.gov.za/index.php/fees
- Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026 (medical report waiver), Government Gazette 55016 (17 July 2026)
- Immigration Directive No. 5 of 2023 (radiology report waiver and police clearance rule)
- Immigration Circular No. 8 of 2026 (published turnaround times)
- Government Gazette 37716 (3 June 2014): retired person income (R37,000) and financially independent net worth (R12 million, R120,000 payment)
- Refugees Act 130 of 1998, section 27(c), as amended
- DHA media statement on the Revised White Paper (8 April 2026)