Permanent Residence Permit - direct residence (section 26) and residence on other grounds (section 27), Immigration Act 13 of 2002
Official name: Permanent Residence Permit (sections 26 and 27, Immigration Act 2002; Regulations 23-24)
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) issues permanent residence permits under two parts of the Immigration Act. Section 26 'direct residence' covers people with five years on a work visa plus a permanent job offer, spouses of citizens or permanent residents after five years in a good-faith relationship, and children of citizens or permanent residents. Section 27 'residence on other grounds' covers a permanent job offer, critical skills, business owners and investors, recognised refugees, retired people, financially independent people, and relatives of citizens or permanent residents. All categories use one application form (BI-947).
1 entry rule for South Africa based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers over 1 year arriving from a WHO yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) must show a valid yellow fever certificate. Without one: may be refused entry or quarantined for up to 6 days or until the certificate becomes valid.
National Department of Health (South Africa): Health Protocols for Travellers Arriving in South Africa (2026) WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in South Africa
Finance
3
Currency
South African Rand
ZAR
South African Rand
Cost of living
43
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
18–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 15% · social security 1%
45% applies to taxable income above R1,878,600 (2027 tax year); rebates create an effective tax-free threshold.
Living
1
Happiness
#99 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Long-term work visa holders, critical-skills workers, business owners, retirees, financially independent people, recognised refugees, and spouses, children and relatives of South African citizens or permanent residents.
Eligibility
Section 26(a): five years on a work visa and a permanent job offerWork visa holder
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need five years as a work visa holder and proof of a permanent employment offer.
- Based on Regulation 23(5)
- Section 26(a) direct residence
Official wording
DHA lists 'five years as a work visa holder' with proof of a permanent employment offer (Regulation 23(5)).
Section 26(b): spouse of a citizen or permanent residentSpouse
Sign in to check this route against your profileShow five years as the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident, in a good-faith spousal relationship.
- Based on Regulation 23(6)
- Section 26(b) direct residence
Official wording
Five years as the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident, in a good-faith spousal relationship (Regulation 23(6)).
Section 26(c)-(d): childrenChild
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou must be a child under 18 of a citizen or permanent resident, or a child of a citizen.
Under 18
Child age limit
- Based on Regulation 23(7)
- A child of a citizen is also listed
Official wording
A child under 18 of a citizen or permanent resident, or a child of a citizen (Regulation 23(7)).
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- 2 fees
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