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Permanent Spouse Residence

ZimbabweStay, Settle or Change Status

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Programme source

Explore pathways in Zimbabwe Read the five questions ↓

What exact status does accumulated residence lead to?

The status is a residence permit, which the Chief Immigration Officer may issue to the spouse (or minor child) of a resident; it may be for an indefinite period or a definite period specified in it.

See recorded sources

What qualifying residence period is required and when does the period begin?

No minimum residence is stated for a spouse to obtain a residence permit. For the permit to be issued for an indefinite period, the holder must (among the alternatives listed) reach at least five years of residence in Zimbabwe by the expiry date of the current permit, applying within six months before that date. The official source does not state when the five-year period begins.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • When the five-year period begins is not stated.
  • The alternative in s.17(1)(a) (five years already completed) is not cited here.

Which types of residence count fully, partially or not at all where the official rules specify this?

Residence means being lawfully within Zimbabwe other than for direct transit or a temporary visit. The official source does not state whether time on particular permits counts fully or partially.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Whether time on specific permits counts fully or partially is not stated.
  • Recorded source · www.zimimmigration.gov.zw
    “resident” means any person who is lawfully within Zimbabwe otherwise than for the purpose of— (a) journeying through Zimbabwe in direct transit from one country to another; or (b) making a temporary visit;

What absence/continuity rules affect accumulation of the qualifying residence period?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm the absence and continuity rules for the qualifying period.

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Limits of the record
  • This detail is not established in the evidence recorded here. Confirm the applicable requirement with the responsible authority.

What other major conditions apply, how is the status obtained, and what renewal, document-validity, retention or loss rules matter?

Applicants apply to the Chief Immigration Officer on form I.F. 5, showing good character and that they are not a prohibited person. The permit is subject to conditions fixed and specified by the Chief Immigration Officer, and ceases to be valid if the holder does not enter Zimbabwe within six months of issue (or a later endorsed date).

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Loss through loss of domicile or becoming a prohibited person (s.18(1)(b),(d)) and cancellation (s.20) are not summarised.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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