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Republic of South Africa · family

Relative's Visa

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 11 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Family-reunion visa for immediate family members of a South African citizen or permanent resident, supported by proof of financial assurance.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyUp to 2 years per issue; renewable.
Processing time
Processing times are published by the DHA and VFS Global and vary by case.
Government fees
The DHA sets the application fee; the prescribed financial assurance amount is set by the Department - confirm current figures on the official page.
Typical duration
Up to 2 years per issue; renewable.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Relative's Visa for Republic of South Africa is a sponsor-led South Africa immigration route. Sources: official Republic of South Africa government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/south-africa/relatives-visa#answer

What is the Relative's Visa in Republic of South Africa?

Relative's Visa is a sponsor-led South Africa route. Indicative government fees are The DHA sets the application fee; the prescribed financial assurance amount is set by the Department - confirm current figures on the official page; indicative processing time is Processing times are published by the DHA and VFS Global and vary by case; typical duration is Up to 2 years per issue; renewable. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The Relative's Visa allows an immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent resident to reside in South Africa on the basis of the family relationship. The South African relative must provide financial assurance, set by the Department of Home Affairs at a monthly amount per person, although a spouse and dependent children are exempt from that financial requirement. The visa does not confer work rights and is issued for a maximum of two years per issue.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the relationship falls within the immediate-family categories and check the current financial-assurance amount.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather relationship certificates and the relative financial-assurance evidence.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Submit the application at a DHA regional office, South African mission abroad, or through VFS Global as applicable.

  4. After approval

    After approval, reside under the visa conditions and renew before expiry, noting the visa carries no work rights.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Relative's Visa, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Relative's Visa instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to South Africa

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in South Africa. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official Relative's Visa route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Relative's Visa.

    Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Can I work on a Relative's Visa?+

No. The Relative's Visa does not grant work rights. To work in South Africa you would need to apply for the appropriate work visa category, such as the Critical Skills or General Work Visa.

Is a spouse covered by the Relative's Visa financial requirement?+

The financial-assurance requirement is set per person, but a spouse and dependent children of the South African citizen or permanent resident are exempt from it. Confirm the current amount and exemptions on the official DHA page.

How long is the Relative's Visa valid, and can it be renewed?+

The Relative's Visa is issued for a maximum of two years per issue and is renewable. You would renew before expiry if the qualifying family relationship and financial assurance continue to apply.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in South Africa

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Department of Home Affairs (South Africa)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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