South African Spousal Visa (Section 11(6))

Guide to the South African Spousal Visa (Section 11(6))

Foreign nationals who are married to — or in a permanent relationship with — a South African citizen or permanent resident can apply for the Spousal Visa under Section 11(6) of the Immigration Act.

Although the Department of Home Affairs classifies this permit as a Visitor’s Visa, it works very differently from a normal tourist visa. Once issued, it lets you live in South Africa and — with the correct endorsements — work, study, or run a business.

Important: This guide only covers the Section 11(6) Visitor’s Visa. A separate Relative’s Visa exists for spouses or partners who do not want work or business rights and who face a much higher financial threshold (R8 500 per person per month).

Apply for a Spousal Visa

Quick Assessment Full Assessment

Summaries & Comparisons

Feature	Detail
Valid For	Issued for up to 3 years
Renewable	Yes, this visa can be renewed indefinitely
Work & Study Rights	Allowed. Can obtain endorsements to work, study, or run a business immediately
Financials	Sponsor must show R3,000 per month
Change of Status in SA	Holder may change status to another visa from within South Africa
Permanent Residency	Eligible after 5 years of marriage or partnership

Feature	Spousal Visa (Section 11(6))	Relative’s Visa (Section 18)
Primary Applicant	Spouse or Life Partner of an SA citizen/permanent resident	Immediate family (Parents, Children, Siblings) of an SA citizen/ permanent resident
Visa Validity	Issued for up to 3 years	Issued for up to 2 years
Work, Study & Business	Allowed. Can obtain endorsements to work, study, or run a business immediately.	Restricted. Generally prohibited (especially for siblings). Exception: Parents of SA children may apply for endorsements.
Financial Requirement	Sponsor needs R3,000 per month per applicant	Sponsor needs R8,500 per month per applicant (Spouses/minors are exempt from this specific amount)
Permanent Residency	Eligible after 5 years of marriage or partnership	Partial Eligibility. Leads to PR for “First Step” kin (Parents/Children); No PR for “Second Step” kin (Siblings)
Change of Status in SA	May change status from inside South Africa	Depends. Siblings must apply abroad. Parents/Spouses can apply inside SA.
General Comments	Best for spouses with offer of employment, run a business or want to study	Best for non-working parents or siblings relying on support

Who Qualifies for the Section 11(6) Spousal Visa?

You qualify if you:

Are legally married to a South African citizen or permanent resident, or
Can prove a permanent life partnership (same-sex or opposite-sex) that has existed for at least two years.

Advantages of The Spousal Visa

This route offers major shortcuts compared with normal work or business permits:

Work rights: You only need a job offer. No Points-Based System, no critical-skills list, no quota.
Business rights: You can register and run your own company or close corporation without the usual R5-million (or higher) capital requirement.
Financial threshold: Your South African partner only needs to prove access to R3 000 per month per applicant (compared with R8 500+ for the Relative’s Visa).

Proving a Genuine Relationship

Home Affairs must be satisfied that your relationship is real and permanent.

Married couples:
Provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
Life partners (unmarried):
You must prove at least two years of exclusive cohabitation. Typical evidence includes:
- A notarial agreement signed by both partners
- Affidavits from both of you confirming the relationship is permanent and exclusive
- Proof of a shared address for two years (joint lease agreements, municipal accounts, bank statements, etc.)

Major 2019 Rule Change: Apply from Inside South Africa

Since the Constitutional Court’s judgement in Nandutu and Others v Minister of Home Affairs (2019), spouses and children of South Africans no longer have to leave the country to apply for a long-term visa. As long as you entered legally and your current visa is still valid when you submit the application, you may now change status inside South Africa.

Adding Work, Study, or Business Endorsements

The basic visa only grants residence. To work, study, or run a business, you must request the relevant endorsement at the time of application (or later):

Work endorsement: Employment contract or formal offer letter
Study endorsement: Provisional acceptance/offer letter from a registered learning institution
Business endorsement: CIPC registration documents + SARS tax number

Note: If you change jobs, you must apply for a new work endorsement, but your residence visa remains valid as long as the relationship continues.

Securing Permanent Residency

After five continuous years of marriage or life partnership with a South African citizen or permanent resident, you may apply directly for permanent residency.

How to Apply (2025 procedure)

Step 1 – Gather your documents
Standard requirements include:

Fully completed DHA-1738 form
Passport valid for at least 30 days after your intended departure
Marriage certificate (if married) OR notarial agreement + affidavits + two years’ cohabitation proof (life partners)
Certified copy of the South African partner’s ID or permanent residence permit
Letter of support from the South African partner
Police clearance certificates (every country where you lived for 12+ months since age 18)
Medical and radiological reports
Employment contract (for work endorsement), acceptance letter (study), or company documents (business)

Step 2: Submit the Application

In South Africa: Book an appointment at your nearest VFS Global centre (biometrics and documents required in person)
From abroad: Nearest South African embassy, high commission, or consulate.

Fees and Processing Times (2025)

DHA application fee for the visa → Free for recognised spouses/life partners
VFS Global service fee → Approximately R1 800 (varies slightly by location)
Average processing time → 6–12 weeks (often faster when applied for inside the country)

Visa Duration & Conditions

Home Affairs normally issues the Section 11(6) visa for up to three years at a time and will renew it upon application as long as the relationship exists.

If the marriage or permanent partnership ends (divorce, death, or proven separation), the visa lapses immediately and you must regularise your status or depart.

Quick Tips & Latest Notes (late 2025)

Police clearances are now required even if you have already lived in South Africa for 12 months or more.
Same-sex life partnerships enjoy exactly the same rights as opposite-sex partnerships.
Always double-check the VFS Global and Department of Home Affairs websites — requirements and fees can change without much notice.