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South Africa · Family

South Africa Permanent Residence — first-step relative of citizen or permanent resident (section 27(g))

8 facts quoted from the official source

A foreign relative within the first step of kinship to a South African citizen or permanent resident may obtain permanent residence.

Income required
—
Means required · no figure published
Can bring
spouse, children +1
from the official record
Requirements
3
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

3 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Admission or enrolment requirementSection 27 permits require a foreigner of good and sound character; prohibited or undesirable status must be resolved before application.
  • Financial resourcesThe South African citizen or permanent resident must show ability and willingness to support and maintain the foreign relative.
  • Qualifying family relationshipThe applicant must be within the first step of kinship to a citizen or permanent resident.
What rules you out

1 exclusion quoted from the official source.

  • Material restrictions or case-specific conditionsPermanent residence may be withdrawn after absence from South Africa for more than three years, subject to the statutory exceptions.
Also stated by the source
  • Long-term residence or conversion pathThis route directly grants permanent residence if approved.
  • Work rightsA permanent resident has the rights, privileges, duties and obligations of a citizen except those expressly reserved to citizens.
Family

Who you can bring

spousechildrenparents
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Initial duration or stay ceilingThe legal status sought is permanent residence.
How it works

From here to a yes

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FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to South Africa?
The official source states: A foreign relative within the first step of kinship to a South African citizen or permanent resident may obtain permanent residence.
02How much money do I need?
The official source states: The South African citizen or permanent resident must show ability and willingness to support and maintain the foreign relative. It does not publish a fixed amount — no minimum figure is stated.
03Can I bring my family?
The official record lists: spouse, children, parents.
04What does this route lead to?
The official source states: This route directly grants permanent residence if approved.

Every answer is quoted from the official dha.gov.za page for this route, last read 2026-07-27.

We checked 8 points against the official source; 8 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Fees and processing time are not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source dha.gov.zaLast read 2026-07-27 Every quote on this page is from this South Africa government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-27 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other family routes to South Africa

6 other family routes to South Africa.

Permanent Residence — child of a South African citizen (section 26(d))Permanent Residence — child under 21 of citizen or permanent resident (section 26(c))Permanent Residence — spouse of citizen or permanent resident for five years (section 26(b))Relative's VisaVisitor visa — accompanying spouse or dependent child of a temporary-visa holderVisitor visa — spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident (section 11(6))
Same category, elsewhere

Family routes in other countries

201 other countries publish at least one family route. Nearest first.

Lesotho6 family routes Zimbabwe3 family routes Botswana2 family routes Namibia2 family routes Eswatini1 family route Norway42 family routes

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