Does anybody have any information on applying for South African permanent residence?
Apr 18th 2015, 11:49 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 3
Does anybody have any information on applying for South African permanent residence?
Hi all, this is my first post here.
I am a British citizen that wants to apply for permanent residence in South Africa. I first moved to South Africa in January 2009 with my partner who is a SA citizen (now wife). I obtained a life partner permit that was valid for three years in March 2009. We got married in January 2012 and I then obtained a spousal permit that permitted me to reside in SA until 31st December 2014. I returned alone to the UK on the same day my permit expired. I am now trying to get a new spousal permit and also apply for permanent residence. My wife and I have been together for over 11 years (married for 3) and previously lived in the UK. From what I understand this should be adequate to apply. I need to try and apply for permanent residency and get some stability back in my life. Unfortunately my previous permits have not allowed me to work because I didn't have a job offer when I was applying for them and due to changes in the UK in 2012 my wife is unable to join me in the UK because I am unable to satisfy the Home Office's new UK family migration laws. I understand that I need to submit representation to the minister of Home Affairs to be declared a desirable person before I make my application - does anybody know how I do this?
At present I am in the UK and have to fly back to South Africa in a few days because I need to get a Police Clearance Certificate for a new spousal permit application that I have to lodge later this year at South Africa House in London. This whole thing is an absolute minefield and at present I can't afford to employ the services of specialist visa companies. It has taken me three months in a shitty job just to save the airfare back to SA again.
Any help or advise by knowledgeable people would be greatly appreciated.
I am a British citizen that wants to apply for permanent residence in South Africa. I first moved to South Africa in January 2009 with my partner who is a SA citizen (now wife). I obtained a life partner permit that was valid for three years in March 2009. We got married in January 2012 and I then obtained a spousal permit that permitted me to reside in SA until 31st December 2014. I returned alone to the UK on the same day my permit expired. I am now trying to get a new spousal permit and also apply for permanent residence. My wife and I have been together for over 11 years (married for 3) and previously lived in the UK. From what I understand this should be adequate to apply. I need to try and apply for permanent residency and get some stability back in my life. Unfortunately my previous permits have not allowed me to work because I didn't have a job offer when I was applying for them and due to changes in the UK in 2012 my wife is unable to join me in the UK because I am unable to satisfy the Home Office's new UK family migration laws. I understand that I need to submit representation to the minister of Home Affairs to be declared a desirable person before I make my application - does anybody know how I do this?
At present I am in the UK and have to fly back to South Africa in a few days because I need to get a Police Clearance Certificate for a new spousal permit application that I have to lodge later this year at South Africa House in London. This whole thing is an absolute minefield and at present I can't afford to employ the services of specialist visa companies. It has taken me three months in a shitty job just to save the airfare back to SA again.
Any help or advise by knowledgeable people would be greatly appreciated.
Apr 24th 2015, 4:59 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 508
Re: Does anybody have any information on applying for South African permanent residen
Ashley
No-one else has responded to your post, so I'll try, but I'm not an immigration expert. Please check with Home Affairs (Department of Home Affairs - Permanent Residency (Immigration)).
First of all, you don't have to petition the Minister to be declared a desirable person. You have to make a representation to show/motivate why you should not be declared a prohibited or undesirable person. That's not quite the same thing, it's a bit more specific, and the criteria are on the website. There are quite a few immigration advisory websites offering sensible advice too, and you don't have to pay anything to access them.
You should qualify for permanent residence through your marriage, but you will probably have to provide evidence of your relationship before this took place, in order to meet the duration requirements.
No-one else has responded to your post, so I'll try, but I'm not an immigration expert. Please check with Home Affairs (Department of Home Affairs - Permanent Residency (Immigration)).
First of all, you don't have to petition the Minister to be declared a desirable person. You have to make a representation to show/motivate why you should not be declared a prohibited or undesirable person. That's not quite the same thing, it's a bit more specific, and the criteria are on the website. There are quite a few immigration advisory websites offering sensible advice too, and you don't have to pay anything to access them.
You should qualify for permanent residence through your marriage, but you will probably have to provide evidence of your relationship before this took place, in order to meet the duration requirements.
