kelli

hi
i wonder if someone can advise

i have been with my SA partner almost 10yrs and we relocated to SA 3yrs ago. we are not married. i am here on a temp residence permit spousal visa.

i am hoping to apply for permanent residency, VFS Global advised that i have to be here for 5yrs first since we are not married.

can anyone tell me if i wanted to go aboard or travel, how long i can leave the country for at a time without it affecting my situation?

thanks very much

MartynK

AFAIK, eligibility for permanent residence in this situation is determined by the duration of the relationship (at least 5 years), not the length of time you have spent in SA together.

ededed

Exactly.