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South Africa · Family

Visitor visa — spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident (section 11(6))

6 facts quoted from the official source

A foreign spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident may receive a visitor visa while the good-faith relationship exists.

Route type
Family
Can bring
spouse
from the official record
Requirements
2
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.

2 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Qualifying family relationshipThe applicant must be the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident and the good-faith spousal relationship must continue.
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • Passport or travel-document requirementPassport or travel document must remain valid for at least 30 days after the intended visit and have an unused endorsement page.
Also stated by the source
  • Long-term residence or conversion pathThe holder must apply for section 26(b) permanent residence within three months after qualifying for it.
  • Work rightsOn application, the holder may be authorised to work, study or conduct business under the activities covered by sections 13 to 22.
Family

Who you can bring

spouse
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Initial duration or stay ceilingThe visa remains valid only while the good-faith spousal relationship exists.
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 spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident may receive a visitor visa while the good-faith relationship exists.
02Can I bring my family?
The official record lists: spouse.
03What does this route lead to?
The official source states: The holder must apply for section 26(b) permanent residence within three months after qualifying for it.

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

We checked 6 points against the official source; 6 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.

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

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 — first-step relative of citizen or permanent resident (section 27(g))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 holder
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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