My friend who lived in SA from 1973 to 2003 ( now in UK) has to return because her son in Joburg has had serious road accident. He is now out of hospital but still unwell and she wants to help nurse him.

She does not have SA passport as she never took one but has her residency papers. Are they still valid and how long can she stay?

Thank you for you help.

My understanding is that it is a 3 months visitors visa that is granted on arrival.

The papers won't help without a passport. I would suggest she lands and goes to Home Affairs as quickly as possible and applies for one. They are normally given in less than 3 months these days (with wild local variations). I don't know the rules for entering on one passport and leaving on another (thereby extending the stay past 3 months) but would imagine if she then has an SA passport she could leave whenever she likes.

Not sure what Home Affairs will say given she seems to have emigrated though. That might create a problem - you need permission from HA for dual citizenship and it sounds like she didn't apply for that when she left. Does she have an ID book? Se will need this before applying for a passport too.

Good luck,

Ed

Is she a SA citizen or a UK citizen, or both?

When you say 'residency papers', what are you referring to? Certificate of Permanent Residence? If so, then she would not be a SA citizen but a foreign national (UK perhaps?) with SA permanent residence.

There isn't enough info in your post to get a clear picture.

Probably best just to go to SA as a tourist on a UK passport if it is an emergency. (3 months, return travel ticket required)

Thanks Pablo I think 3 months will be enough for her as she does not have old age pension but receives benefit etc and would not be able to leave the country for longer than that without losing house etc.