US citizen moving to Johannesburg

Hey Michele,

I moved to Cape Town, 2 years ago on a life partner visa, which gives you temporary residency. Essentially, you will be applying for the same type of relatives permit. There is an extensive list of documents that you will need when you submit your application including : your marriage certificate, proof of shared finances, letters from family and friends to say that the relationship is genuine, police clearance from your home country, medical and radilogical tests, etc.

From my experience, the required documents are always changing so check the Department of Home Affairs website before you start the process.

Have a read through the Expat Arrival's page on Visas for South Africa to get a better idea of the visa process.

Just bear in mind that the visa process in South Africa does take some time. Although, Home Affairs promises to process the application within a month, from my experience you are likely wait at least 3-6 months before you get a verdict.

If you do have any other questions just let me know as I have been through the process myself.

Good luck with the move to Johannesburg.

Feel free to contact me as well, I run immigrationsouthafrica.org and our lawyers can give you free advice. After that, if you want us to help you prepare your permit application, etc, there is a cost. Based on the information you've given above, I can't say much. Is your husband a South African citizen? How long have you been married in total? If he is and this is 5 years or more, you can apply immediately for Permanent Residency. How long have you stayed in South Africa? Also, what do you mean by becoming a "resident"? Temporary? Permanent? Citizen?