Relative's Visa, including spouse and life partner
section 18, Immigration Act 13 of 2002
A temporary residence visa for immediate family members of a South African citizen or permanent resident. It is the visa South African missions use for foreign spouses and life partners. The sponsor must give financial assurance, and spousal applicants are interviewed to check that the relationship is genuine. It does not allow work on its own.
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
Money
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 Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Spouses, life partners and other immediate family members (first step of kinship) of a South African citizen or permanent residence holder.
Eligibility
Sponsor
The applicant must be an immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent residence holder, who acts as sponsor.
Financial assurance
- At leastZAR 8,500
- per month per person
The sponsor (or the couple jointly) must show means of support for the full period requested: at least ZAR 8,500 per month per person, shown by certified bank statements for the last three months and salary advice. This is not required when the South African sponsor is a dependent child.
Genuine relationshipSpouses and life partners
Spousal and life-partner applicants are interviewed separately, on the same date and time, to confirm the relationship exists.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementLife partnership
- Document checklistVisa application form DHA-1738
- FeesRelative's visa fee (South African High Commission, Canberra)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 2 more requirements
- 11 documents
- 1 fee
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in South Africa
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to South Africa
- Visit & tourismVisitor's visa for tourism (section 11(1)), with Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or port of entry visa
- StudyStudy Visa
- Work permitsCritical Skills Work Visa (section 19(4), Immigration Act 13 of 2002)
- Investors & entrepreneursRemote Work Visa - visitor's visa under section 11(1)(b)(iv) for remote work
- Asylum & protectionAsylum application at a Refugee Reception Office
- Work permitsGeneral Work Visa (section 19(2), Immigration Act 13 of 2002)
