Waiting for Residency Permit in South Africa

Hi- Unfortunately Home Affairs in South Africa is so useless that they've had to centralize this EXTREMELY painful bureaucratic process. You should have received a reference number when you made your application - it will be on the little receipt that the cashier gave to you. Phone 0800 60 11 90 and give them the ref and try and raise as much hell as possible. If you get someone who doesn't speak good English or who doesn't seem to be helpful, hang up and phone again. Some consultants are really fantastic and some are completely worthless. Regardless though, the permanent residency application does take between 5 months and 1 year.

Hi we moved here to the Cape Town area last October on aretirement visa and applied for permenant residency in January. We have used a local visa agency and even though the paper work is all in order and every thing set up by the visa company, The Home Afairs Office say it could take up yo 18 months for an answer. So best of luck if you can get it in a year. George

Hi Stephanie,

I arrived in South Africa in May 2010 and applied for a Life Partner visa (with temporary residency for 2 years). It took 8 months to process. A number of my expat friends have actually waited longer than this I am afraid.

I did go through an immigration consultant, but with hindsight feel I could have done the work and saved myself some money. An immigration consultant basically assists you in getting your paper work in order and then follows up with Home Affairs to check the progress of your application. Just be aware that they have no power in speeding up the process and will most likely have you sign a disclaimer to say you understand this.

In your case, seeing as you've already submitted your documents you've already done a lot of the hard work and all an immigration consultant could do at this stage is make follow up phone calls on your behalf and have someone physically queue up at Home Affairs and ask about the progress of your permit, both of which you could do yourself if you had some time on your hands.

While Home Affairs does have a system whereby you can track the progress of your visa –  it isn’t particularly efficient and doesn’t give you any idea whereabouts in the visa process you application is or when you might be able to expect an outcome. I would however, advise you to approach your local Home Affairs office to find out when your application was sent to Pretoria. When I did this, I found that my application had been sitting on a desk in Cape Town for 2 months before even reaching Pretoria, which at least explained some of the delay.

It is very much a waiting game from now. If you do need to leave South Africa for travel you will need to go to Home Affairs and obtain a letter that says that you are the process of applying for permanent residency to avoid any problems at airport immigration. This letter is really easy to get hold of and they can give it to you at your local Home Affairs branch.

Best of Luck !

I agree with Shantalie, very well said! Having used said letter myself to travel while waiting for our visa renewal, I can attest to it working. You just have to plan a little more time at the airport, in case the agent doesn't know what to do with it. Other than that, it really is a waiting game. We were lucky and got our renewals within about 6 months, but were told by others that this seemed extremely fast.

CAN I USE MY VISA APPLICATION REFERENCE NUMBER TO KNOW IF MY VISA IS ON PROCESS.

I completely agree with Shantalie. The level of incompetence at Home Affairs is truly breathtaking. I don't know where the idea that Dlamini-Zuma 'turned it around' when she left recently came from. Heaven knows how bad it was before she arrived. I applied for Permanent Residence in March 2011 when I arrived here with my South African husband. I did not get an appointment to start the process until July 2011 and then only on a cancellation as the original date was September - lucky me! My application languished in East London office until November without my realising it. I could not understand why, when I rang Pretoria to ask after progress, they had not received it when East London said they had sent it. It left East London in November when I started shouting! I have rung Pretoria several times but a call centre operative does not have information available and will ring back within 24 hrs - if you are lucky. In all probability, you will also be told that the 'system is down'. I rang Pretoria last week to check progress. I was told that my application did not leave their dispatch centre in Pretoria until May 2012. They cannot tell me the status of my application but because it has been removed from the dispatch centre, that means it is being worked on. (O joy unconfined...)I have a temporary residence visa that expires in January 2013. I cannot work, open a bank account or have an ID number. I also enlisted the services of a consultant but he was helpful only at the East London end because he previously worked there and knew the system and staff. He has no contacts in Pretoria where the process has been centralised. The only thing one can do is to wait it out. If you are applying for Permanent Residence, you should prepare yourself for the long haul and give yourself 18 months to 2 years for it to arrive.

pls i need help from any good samaritans. I applied for my life partner permit for many moths now yet not out. And can anyone inform me on how to track my paper online. Pls email me [email protected] thanks and God bless

Hi Anonymous,

I applied for my life partner two years ago now. Whilst I was waiting for it - I was told I would be able to track it on the Home Affairs website, using the tracking number you get when you submit.

However, from my experience I found that this system was rarely updated. Everytime I would check the system would tell me that my permit was 'pending'. Even when the permit was ready to be picked up in Cape Town, I got know notification to tell me so. 

Luckily, I worked with an immigration consultant who sent someone each day to Home Affairs to follow up on permits. I think it is best that you follow up every few weeks and physically visit Home Affairs in person to check if the permit is ready.

I know its a time consuming process, but I've found that the tracking system isn't accurate.

Please let me know if you have any furthur questions.

Regards,

Shantalie

Am modestus by name and pls can anyone help inform me on how to track my life partner permitt online. Pls email to modestusdon @ovi.com thank and God bless

Hi All, my family and i applied for permanent Residence last August and it has now been 1year since the application. Every time i call them to find out they tell me to call back in two weeks time and i have been doing that but it seems as if there is no progress going on. They should really consider others and stop delaying! It took a lot of money to pay for the process, now why the delay?

I have applayed for a quota permit in november last year i havent got anything till now how can i track it on line help me e-mail me at [email protected]

Hi All,

From my experience the online tracking system on the Department of Home Affairs website is not really helpful and is rarely updated.

You can visit the website and use your tracking number to follow up but it will usually just tell you that the visa is pending and not give any indication of how long it will take.

The first time I applied for my Life Partner in 2010 it took 8 months to come through. Only by visiting my local Home Affairs office did I find out that my application had been left sitting in Cape Town for 2 months before even being sent to Pretoria. Home Affairs claims that most visas should be processed in 30 days, but this is rarely the case.

However, when I applied for my renewal in Dec 2012, I expected to wait a least a couple of months but I received an SMS saying my application had been finalised 3 weeks after submission. I am not sure wether this was so quick because it was a renewal or because things had improved.

From speaking to a number of expats in Cape Town, the truth is if you are lucky you can get a visa in a couple of months but there are still people waiting over a year.

Wish you all good luck with your applications.

I have received my reference number from home affairs i don't know what to do and my permit is not yet out

hi my boyfriend is from another country and need residence, we are planning to get married and he is working at a casual work how can we get residence for himn

Hi Anonymous,

If you area South African citizen then your boyfriend will be eligable for temporary residency on a life partner visa as long as you can prove that you reside together and share financial commitments. 

On this type of permit he will also be able to get a work endorsement, but this will be specific to his job. Each time he wants to change his job he will need to return to home affairs and reapply for a new work endorsement.

For more information read the Expat Arrivals page on Visas for South Africa

Regards,

Shantalie

I have reaplied for my permanent res visa which I had years ago. It is in and will take 12 months. As I was a permanent res. can I work while I wait?

I applied my perm res in July 2011 and am still waiting to this day.I have given up...

Temp res permit in SA embassy London takes 15 days only, I know because I applied and got it, they are strict, so get you sh@t together and pls go with bank statements even if you are married or at least show them proof that you live together. The perm residence application appointment takes ages to get, I mean the appointment for you to apply, you apply and then go and wait for it in SouthAfrica and it will arrive before you die, I promise you.

Hi Anonymous,

If you have permanent residency in South Africa and are simply applying for a renewal, you can continue to work at your existing job while the renewal is in process. However, make sure you apply for the renewal at least a month before the current permit expires.

Regards,

Shantalie

I have also been waiting for a permit since I applied on the 4th of December 2012. I need to travel out of the country and went to the demand the letter that says I am in the process of applying for a permit but they denied me such, saying they do not have any such letter. I applied in Cape Town

Hi Anonymous,

Its called a Form 20 and simply confirms that you have an application pending.

I am not sure if the regulations have changed at Home Affairs. Maybe approach them again and ask what you should do in your situation.

I have to say, things really depend on the officer who deals with your request at Home Affairs. If you talk to them nicely and explain your situation they maybe willing to help and find out more information.

The other alternative is to try to speak to an immigration consultant to find out what the latest developments are at Home Affairs. They will often charge you a fee but I used to just strike up a conversation with them while sitting in line at Home Affairs and then get some basic information. 

Good luck,

Shantalie

I applied my permanent Residence in June 2010 and till today in July 2013 there is no outcome of my application. Just getting this answer from Home affairs that your application is in process or system is being upgraded. They system being upgraded like they building a Kingdom tower which will take years to complete. But cannot blame to costumer services they are very good to answer your calls and emails.SO guys don't worry there are people who applied before me a year still waiting.When every thing is computerized and every thing is in system so why they take long this what made people frustrated.There is no way in the world like this. New law they made in 2005 If you married for 5 years then you can apply a PRP. but still no time after you apply. It is better to say you know what we are not giving any more permanent Residence so people have to stay with visa or migrate to other country. any way Guys good luck to all of you who applied PRP you guys get it soon. have to say Ammen.

Hi Anonymous,

It is possible to apply for permenant residency for SA through the South African embassy in the UK. However, the process is still long and they say that it can take 18 months of more. 

As long as you meet the necessary criteria, you can apply from the UK.

Regards,

Shantalie

Hi Anonymous,

Please go to the Home Affairs website and type in your tracking reference number.

It is quite a simple process, when I used it in December, it worked perfectly. 

Shantalie

Please help me on how l can track my Perm Res Application online..l have a reference number. Email [email protected]

I applied for my Permanent Residence permit in January 2012. 20 months since, and several visits to home affairs just to check my application status and putting up with the typical 'don't care' attitude, my application status has not budged from 'the application was received at the Head Office'. I even re submitted the application on the chance that Home Affairs might have lost my application. But am still playing the waiting game with no intervention, by man or God! Not having a permanent residence permit is posing a major obstacle for me getting employment in the health sector. Luckily, my hubby can support both of us in the time being although I don't exactly enjoy my unemployment stint. But if I wasn't so lucky, how am I supposed to be the breadwinner and support my family.

Oh yes, I too applied for a Spouse visa (2 years) at the SA embassy in London. It only took me a month to get it. I wish I had applied for Permanent Resident Permit in the UK as well. Not sure if they accept it there cuz I am living in SA for the last 5 years.

Hi, i applied for SA permanent residence at the High Commision/Embassy in London in July 2013. I have not yet received any reference or application number. (I was promised that I would receive it after 3 weeks via email) Any advice?

Hi Anonymous,

I don't have any experience making an application through the SA commission in London. But in South Africa, they usually say you will response in a month, but this rarely the case.

All I can advise you to do is continue to follow up with the embassy, especially seeing as the three week period has passed and find out the status of your application.

Good luck.

Shantalie

Can I please have the actual link on the South African Home Affairs website where you can check the status of a PR application made in 2011. I have been waiting for 23 months for response.

Hi Anonymous.

Here is the link where you can try to track your application with Home Affairs : http://www.dha.gov.za/permitenquiry/

From my experience, this tracking system doesn't work that well. It doesn't give you any indication of where your application is or how much longer the permit will take to progress. As far as I know, you should also receive an SMS when your documents are ready for collection.

There is no harm visiting a branch of Home Affairs. In some cases people find their permits have been sitting at the office and noone has notified the applicant.

Good luck,

Shantalie

Hi I have applied for quota work permit in 07 july 2013 since then I never get the feedback from SA commission in Pakistan.I phone the consulate every week but same reply we are upgrading the system. Could any one tell to whom I contact to.

Pls what is the current status on the backloge at home affairs rsa.i have been waiting for aquota permit for the past 10 and no response.

Hi Anon,

Here is the link where you can check the status of your permit application. I can't guarantee the system will be accurate though. 

When I was applying for my permit - she system always said PENDING even after I had received a SMS telling me my permit was ready. 

Shantalie

Was told by local Home Affairs that the relative (children) visa is approved but have not received the sticker and will not have before having to leave SA for work reason. Home Affair guy insist he will not give a letter to prove it is approved and advise to leave and let airport immigration to band future entrance then apply for appeal within 10 days?????? Also was told their manager will not do anything to help us at all. Without proof for anything there is no way to risk being band from the Country and my being able to see the kids anymore or to risk losing a job to support the family not being able to return to work due to this issue? Desperate

Hi cpyc,

There have been some dramatic changes to visa regulations in South Africa this year. Home Affairs is no longer dealing with applications but they are now being dealted by VFS.

You can contact them and see if they can shed some light on the situation : +27124253000 

You can also visit their website for more information : http://www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica/contact_us.html

Hope this helps.

Shantalie

I did applied for a spouse and life partner permit on the 30/09/2013 at Barrack Street Cape Town HOME AFFAIRS until today im still waiting for my application outcomes please help my email address is [email protected] I need an Advise or Help.

How to know if its is ready cos they haven't called or texted me

Track it on the VFS global website.

I too am trying to chase up a permanent resident permit for my wife. Does anyone know a consultant/agent in Pretoria who can apply some pressure in person at the counter in home affairs? This has suddenly become urgent for us.

Someone to help ,I renewed a TRP in June 2013 until today end of 2014i have received /phoned the PTA Home Affairs they say it is still pending. Now what should I do to travel