Permanent residence permits · Gauteng & nationwide
Permanent Residence in South Africa – Section 26 & 27
Permanent residence is the step that lets you build a life in South Africa without visa renewals. It is also the application where preparation matters most – long processing times mean a mistake can cost a year. We find your strongest legal route, assemble the evidence and follow the application through to the permit.
[email protected]
- Expert consultationhonest, in-depth assessment
- Open 7 days08:00 – 18:00, incl. weekends
- Since 200420+ years of casework
- Glen Marais basedKempton Park, near OR Tambo
Quick answer
How do you get permanent residence in South Africa?
Permanent residence is granted under Section 26 (direct residence) or Section 27 (residence on other grounds) of the Immigration Act. Section 26 covers people who have worked in South Africa on a work visa for five years with a permanent job offer, spouses of citizens or permanent residents after five years of a good-faith marriage, and children of citizens or permanent residents. Section 27 covers permanent job offers, critical skills, business owners, refugees, retired people, financially independent people and relatives of citizens or permanent residents.
Call 073 283 7916, WhatsApp 072 561 3097, or email [email protected].
- Service
- Permanent residence applications
- Legal basis
- Sections 26 & 27, Immigration Act
- Submitted via
- VFS Global → Home Affairs
- Processing
- Often many months – start early
- Our fee
- Quoted per case after your consultation
- Hours
- Mon–Sun 08:00–18:00
01PR routes
Permanent residence routes we handle
There are more routes than most people realise. We check every one that might apply to you.
01
Work – 5 years (s26(a))
Five years on a work visa plus a permanent offer of employment.
02
Spouse (s26(b))
Spouse or life partner of a citizen or PR for at least five years in a good-faith relationship.
03
Children (s26(c)–(d))
Children of citizens or permanent residents.
04
Permanent job offer (s27(a))
A permanent offer of employment meeting the prescribed requirements.
05
Critical skills (s27(b))
Holders of critical or exceptional skills, usually after working in the field.
06
Business (s27(c))
Foreign nationals who have established or invested in a business in South Africa.
07
Retired & financially independent (s27(e)–(f))
Retirees with qualifying income and people of independent means.
08
Relatives (s27(g))
First-step relatives of South African citizens or permanent residents.
02Requirements
Core permanent residence documents
Most PR applications
Plus route-specific evidence- Passport & current visaRequiredWith your full immigration history
- Police clearance certificatesRequiredFrom all countries of 12+ months’ residence since 18, including SA
- Medical & radiology reportsRequiredWithin validity on the day of submission
- Route evidenceRequiredWork history, marriage proof, skills, business or income records
- Birth & marriage certificatesRequiredUnabridged, with translations where needed
- Proof of tax complianceIf applicableWhere applicable to your route
Requirements are set by the Immigration Regulations and Home Affairs and can change. We confirm the current list for your exact category at your consultation.
03Compare
The three most common PR routes compared
| Work (s26(a)) | Spouse (s26(b)) | Critical skills (s27(b)) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main test | 5 years on a work visa + permanent offer | 5 years of good-faith marriage / partnership | Critical skill + relevant work |
| Waiting period | 5 years | 5 years | Varies – no fixed 5-year rule |
| Employer involvement | Yes | No | Usually |
| Key evidence | Contracts, payslips, tax records | Joint life: home, finances, children | SAQA, registration, employment |
04Avoid refusals
What sinks permanent residence applications
Wrong section chosen
Many applicants qualify under more than one route. Choosing the weaker one costs months.
Expired temporary visa while waiting
Your temporary visa must stay valid while PR is processed. We diarise renewals.
Gaps in the evidence
Five years must be proven month by month – missing payslips or contracts weaken the case.
Weak proof of a genuine relationship
Spousal PR needs real evidence of a shared life, not only a marriage certificate.
05Fees
What does a permanent residence application cost?
No fixed packages – fees reflect the real complexity of your matter, and you always know the cost before you commit.
There is no fixed price list on this site on purpose. The work behind a permanent residence application depends on your category, your family, your paperwork and your history in South Africa, so a one-size price would either overcharge simple cases or under-prepare complex ones.
Your consultation is a paid, in-depth session with an experienced consultant – not a sales call. The consultation fee is confirmed when you book, before anything is charged, and you leave with real answers whether or not you go ahead with us. If you want us to handle the application, that work is quoted in writing before it starts. Government (Department of Home Affairs) and VFS Global fees are separate, set by them and paid directly.
Not sure you need a consultation? WhatsApp a short question to 072 561 3097 and we will tell you honestly whether you do. If a simple renewal is all you need, we will say so.
What your consultation gives you
- A full review of your documents and immigration history
- The exact visa or permit route we recommend, and why
- A personalised document checklist you keep
- Honest risks and realistic timelines – stated up front
- A written quote for any application work, with no obligation
What shapes the fee for your case?
Visa category
A visitor's visa extension is far simpler than a business visa or permanent residence.
Number of applicants
Spouses, children and dependants each need their own documents and forms.
Document readiness
Whether certificates, clearances, translations and apostilles are already in hand.
Case history
Previous refusals, overstays, undesirable status or a change of status add work.
Urgency
Tight deadlines – such as a 10-working-day appeal window – need priority handling.
Independent consultancy. Immigration Galore SA CC is a private immigration consultancy. We are not the Department of Home Affairs or VFS Global. Decisions are made by Home Affairs, and no consultant can lawfully guarantee an outcome – what we guarantee is a complete, correct and well-motivated application.
06How it works
From first question to final outcome in 5 steps
One consultant guides your case from the first conversation to the decision letter.
Book your consultation
Call, WhatsApp or send the form to book. In your consultation we review your full situation and documents, and tell you honestly which visa or permit route fits – and whether you qualify.
Written route & document list
You get a personalised checklist for your exact category, with notes on certificates, translations, clearances and the order to collect them in.
Fee agreed before work starts
Because no two cases are the same, we quote your professional fee in writing once we understand the complexity. Government and VFS fees are shown separately.
Pack prepared & checked
We draft motivation letters and forms, check every page against the Immigration Regulations and book your VFS Global appointment.
Submit, track & follow up
We track the application with VFS and Home Affairs, answer requests for more information and explain the outcome – including next steps if you need to appeal.
07Why Immigration Galore
Why families and employers choose Immigration Galore
Immigration is too important for guesswork. This is what working with us looks like.
Since 2004
More than 20 years of South African immigration casework – through every major change to the Immigration Act and Regulations.
An honest assessment first
If you do not qualify yet, we tell you plainly – before you spend money on an application – and show you what would change the answer.
Checked before it reaches VFS
Most refusals come from missing, expired or wrong documents. Every page is checked against the current requirements before submission.
Open 7 days a week
We are available Mon–Sun 08:00–18:00, including weekends, so you can consult without taking leave from work.
One consultant, start to finish
The person who assesses your case is the person who prepares it and follows it up. You never have to repeat your story.
Local in Glen Marais
Based in Kempton Park, minutes from the R21 and OR Tambo, with clients across Gauteng and the rest of South Africa.
08Related services
Clients who ask about this often need these too
Immigration routes connect. These are the services most often combined with this one.
WorkWork Visas
General work, critical skills and intra-company transfer visas for employees and the companies hiring them.
- Critical Skills List checks
- SAQA & professional body steps
- Employer compliance advice
FamilyRelative's Visas
Join a South African citizen or permanent resident who is your parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild.
- Kinship proof & sponsorship
- Financial undertaking pack
- Renewals & dependants
AppealsAppeals & Reviews
Visa or permit refused? Section 8 appeals to the Director-General and the Minister, drafted against the exact refusal reasons.
- Refusal letter analysed
- 10-working-day deadline managed
- Undesirable status upliftment
BusinessBusiness Visa Kempton Park
Section 15 business visas for investors and entrepreneurs opening or buying a business in South Africa.
- Business plan & CA certificate
- dtic recommendation
- Local hiring undertaking
09Service area
Immigration help across Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and South Africa
Immigration Galore works from Glen Marais in Kempton Park, a few minutes from the R21 and R25 and about 15 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport. Clients meet us in person by appointment, or handle the whole process by phone, WhatsApp and email – which is how we assist people in Cape Town, Durban and abroad.
Getting to us
- R21 and R25 – a few minutes from our office
- OR Tambo International Airport – about 15 minutes
- Kempton Park CBD and Kempton Park Home Affairs – about 10 minutes
- Benoni, Boksburg, Germiston and Midrand – 20 to 30 minutes
Areas we serve
- Glen Marais
- Birchleigh
- Norkem Park
- Edleen
- Bonaero Park
- Aston Manor
- Rhodesfield
- Van Riebeeck Park
- Kempton Park CBD
- Isando
- Tembisa
- Midrand
- Edenvale
- Bedfordview
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Brakpan
- Springs
- Alberton
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Fourways
- Rosebank
- Johannesburg CBD
- Centurion
- Pretoria
Outside Gauteng? Most of our work can be done by phone, WhatsApp and email – call 073 283 7916 to confirm.
10FAQs
Permanent Residence FAQs
Straight answers to the questions our clients ask most.
How long must I live in South Africa before applying for permanent residence?
It depends on the route. Work-based (s26(a)) and spousal (s26(b)) routes require five years, while routes such as critical skills, business or retirement have different tests.
Can I apply for permanent residence on a critical skills visa?
Yes. Critical skills visa holders may qualify under Section 27(b), usually once they have been working in their field. We assess your timing.
Do I keep my temporary visa while PR is processed?
Yes – you must keep a valid temporary visa while your permanent residence application is pending. Letting it lapse can create an overstay.
How long does permanent residence take?
Permanent residence applications commonly take many months, sometimes longer. A complete first submission avoids further delay.
Can my family be included?
Spouses and dependent children can usually apply alongside the main applicant, each with their own documents.
Does permanent residence expire?
The permit is permanent, but some permits carry conditions, and long absences from South Africa can affect your status. We explain the conditions attached to yours.
Can I appeal a permanent residence refusal?
Yes. Section 8 of the Immigration Act provides for an appeal, with strict time limits. See our appeals service.
What does a permanent residence application cost?
Our fee depends on your route and the evidence involved, so we quote per case after your consultation. Government and VFS fees are separate.
11Consultation
Book your immigration consultation
Tell us where you stand and what you need. A consultant replies within one business day – usually the same day – with the recommended next step and the consultation fee for your matter. No obligation to book. Prefer to talk? Call 073 283 7916.
Consulting hours
- Monday08:00 – 18:00
- Tuesday08:00 – 18:00
- Wednesday08:00 – 18:00
- Thursday08:00 – 18:00
- Friday08:00 – 18:00
- Saturday08:00 – 18:00
- Sunday08:00 – 18:00
South African time (SAST). Office visits by appointment.
Find Immigration Galore in Glen Marais, Kempton Park
Glen Marais, Kempton Park, 1619 – in north Kempton Park, close to the R21 and R25 and about 15 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport. Office consultations are by appointment.
Mon–Sun 08:00–18:00 · 7 days a week