The application process for South African spousal visas and life partner visas is what I will focus this article on. They say, “distance makes the heart grow fonder.” This saying is true, mainly if your spouse or life partner resides in South Africa while you are in Nigeria or elsewhere around the world. Joining your spouse or life partner in South Africa is a good idea, and it is possible! To do so, you would need a South Africa spousal visa or a South Africa life partner visa for those who are not married. This blog post gives you basic information about the application process and the application requirements.
South Africa Spousal Visa And Life Partner Visa
To obtain a spousal or life partner visa, you must be a Nigerian wife or husband married to a South Africa citizen or a Nigerian wife or husband married to a Nigerian who has a permanent residence status in South Africa. Similarly, you must be a life partner to a South African citizen or a Nigerian permanently residing in South Africa. The visa is temporary; basically, it lasts for one year; therefore, you cannot work, study or start businesses in South Africa. However, you can apply for visa endorsements to enable you to work, study or start a business.
Application Process For A South Africa Spousal Visa And Life Partner Visa
When thinking about applying for the visa, it’s crucial to prepare the following documents:
- A valid original passport
- An unabridged birth certificate
- Have a recent passport photo showing the full face and having the names of the applicant at the back of the photo
- A deed poll for applicants who changed their names or gender.
- An Original Police clearance certificate issued by the Nigerian police or security authority which must be issued within 6 months
- Recent radiological report issued within 6 months unless the person is pregnant
- Recent medical report issued within 6 months
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- A marriage certificate, a notarial agreement, a customary union certificate and a civil union certificate as proof that the applicant has been the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident for five years at the time of application.
- A notarial agreement signed by both parties attesting that – (i) the permanent spousal homosexual or heterosexual relationship has existed for at least two years before the date of application for a relevant visa and five years at the time of application for permanent residence permit and that the relationship still exist to the exclusion of any other person and (ii) neither of the parties is a spouse in an existing marriage or a permanent homosexual or heterosexual relationship.
- Divorce decree to prove the dissolution of previous marriage if a spouse was previously married.
- Declaration of support for the application by the spouse or life partner who is a citizen or permanent resident.
- Proof of financial support to each other in the form of bank statements.
- Copy of the Identity document of the spouse or life partner who is the citizen or permanent resident and a copy of permanent residence permit
One point to note is that applying for the spousal or life partner visa is similar except for life partners. A marriage certificate is not required, but all the above-mentioned documents must be present.
South Africa Spousal Visa Fees, Processing Time & Collection
Once you have gathered all the relevant documents and their copies, it’s time to make an online application and requests an appointment letter on the VFS portal. The spousal or life partner visa application costs R1350, which you must pay to the VFS bank account. Keep a copy of the original bank payment receipt, which you will submit with all the other requirements mentioned above on the appointment day. Also, ensure that you are present for the collection of biometric information at the visa facilitation centre. The visa processing time varies; however, the application will be finalised within at least 12 to 24 months from the date of submission. Once your spousal visa has been approved, you can renew it within South Africa as long as the visa is still valid.
Summary
In closing, this information about the South Africa spousal or life partner visa will help you to kick start the processes of bridging the physical and geographical distance between you and your partner or spouse.
