How to Immigrate to South Africa from India
In this article, you will learn about how to immigrate to South Africa from India.To immigrate and reside in South Africa, you should have a permanent residence permit. This permit allows the holder all the rights, privileges, duties and obligations of a citizen, except for those which are explicitly imputed to citizenship.
Where can I make Inquiries about immigration?
- Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for information on permanent residence permits.
- Explore where to apply in your own country from this list of South African offices abroad
South Africa Visa Service immigration policy is represented in the Immigration Act, which defines the requirements which are to be met by an applicant who is looking to immigrate to the country permanently.
Who can Immigrate to South Africa?
South African immigration law intends to protect the health and security of South Africans, as well as their rights to employment freedom in the country.
South Africa has a huge reserve of unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Normally, a prospective immigrant to South Africa should not follow an occupation for which there are already enough people available to meet the country’s needs. Unskilled and semi-skilled workers, especially, will not usually be authorized as immigrant workers in South Africa.
Vice-versa, immigrants who are in a position to contribute to the cultivating of South Africa’s economic base will be welcomed. Applications by skilled workers in occupations for which there is a deficiency in the country are encouraged – particularly applications by industrialists and other entrepreneurs who wish to move their existing businesses or build new concerns in South Africa.
What are the Requirements for Immigration?
Because of the urge to create job opportunities for South African workers, prospective immigrants should be seriously dedicated to investing their assets, skills, and experience for the profit of themselves and the people of South Africa.
If you are looking to immigrate permanently to South Africa, you should have good and sounding character and not go after an occupation in which there are already adequate people available to meet the country’s needs.
In order to file an application for a permanent residency permit, applicants must first submit a representation to the Minister of Home Affairs stimulating why he or she should be declared not to be a forbidden person or an undesirable person.
All applications for permanent residence are treated individually on merit by an independent statutory body, the Immigrants Selection Board.
Immigration Categories
Permanent residence permits are divided into two main categories:
Direct residence (Section 26):
This is circulated to foreigners who have been on a work permit for five years and who have received a permanent offer of employment. Generally, if a foreigner meets all the requirements, their spouse and children under 21 will automatically qualify for permanent residence.
Residence on other domains (Section 27): This includes foreigners who:
- have been given a job offer within certain conditions
- acquires exceptional skills or qualifications
- aims to set up a business in South Africa
- those who are looking to retire here
- are financially not dependent
- entitled as refugees
- relatives of a South African citizen
All immigration applicants older than 21 must be presented for a personal interview.
Where do I apply for Immigration?
In general, you should apply for immigration to South Africa while in your country of residence, and await the result of your application prior proceeding to South Africa. You should apply at your nearest South African office abroad.However, you can also apply for immigration while in South Africa – at your nearest Home Affairs provincial office – if:
- You are in the country on a legal work permit; or
- You are married to, or the child of, a South African citizen or permanent resident, and are in South Africa on a valid but interim residence permit; or
- You are being financed for immigration purposes by a blood family member who is permanently and lawfully resident in South Africa and is in South Africa on a valid but interim residence permit; or
- You have been immune from the requirement to hold a temporary residence permit.
How long is my permit valid for?
Once you have been allowed permanent residence, you need never to apply again. However, you must renew residence in South Africa within a year of being granted permanent residence.
