Sections 11–22 of the Immigration Act · Kempton Park
Temporary Residence Visas in South Africa – Kempton Park & Johannesburg
Visiting, joining family, studying, working, investing or retiring in South Africa all start with the right temporary residence visa. We identify the correct category, prepare a complete application and track it through VFS Global and Home Affairs – so you are not left guessing, or overstaying.
[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
What is a temporary residence visa in South Africa?
A temporary residence visa is permission from the Department of Home Affairs to stay in South Africa for a set purpose and period. The Immigration Act 13 of 2002 creates separate visas for visitors, spouses, relatives, students, workers, business owners, medical patients, retired people and others (Sections 11 to 22), and each has its own documents and conditions. Applications are lodged through VFS Global, and renewals should be submitted well before your current visa expires.
Call 073 283 7916, WhatsApp 072 561 3097, or email [email protected].
- Service
- Temporary residence visas
- Legal basis
- Sections 11–22, Immigration Act 13 of 2002
- Submitted via
- VFS Global → Home Affairs
- Covers
- New, renewal & change of status
- Our fee
- Quoted per case after your consultation
- Hours
- Mon–Sun 08:00–18:00
01Visa categories
Temporary visa categories we handle
Choosing the wrong category is the most expensive mistake an applicant can make. These are the visas we prepare every week.
01
Visitor's visa (s11)
Holidays, family visits, business meetings and longer stays for research, volunteering or other approved activities.
02
Spousal & life partner visa (s11(6))
For the spouse or life partner of a South African citizen or permanent resident – can be endorsed to work, study or run a business.
03
Relative's visa (s18)
For immediate relatives of citizens and permanent residents, supported by the sponsor’s financial undertaking.
04
Study visa (s13)
For learners and students accepted at a registered South African school, college or university.
05
Work visas (s19)
General work, critical skills and intra-company transfer visas – each with different employer requirements.
06
Business visa (s15)
For foreign nationals investing in and running a business in South Africa.
07
Medical treatment visa (s17)
For patients coming to South Africa for specialist medical care.
08
Retired person's visa (s20)
For retirees with a qualifying pension or income who want to live in South Africa.
02Requirements
Documents almost every temporary visa needs
Each category adds its own documents, but this core pack applies to nearly every application.
Core application pack
Most categories- Valid passportRequiredValid for at least 30 days after the visa expires, with blank pages
- Completed application form (DHA-1738)RequiredSigned, with VFS Global appointment confirmation
- Police clearance certificatesRequiredFrom every country lived in for 12 months or more since age 18
- Medical & radiology reportsRequiredNot older than six months, where the category requires them
- Proof of funds or supportRequiredBank statements, salary slips or a sponsor’s undertaking
- Purpose documentsRequiredMarriage certificate, acceptance letter, job offer, business plan – depending on visa
- Sworn translations & apostillesIf applicableFor any document not in English
- Yellow fever certificateIf applicableIf you travelled through a yellow-fever risk country
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
Temporary visa or permanent residence: which do you need?
Many clients ask for “a permit” without knowing which kind. This is the difference.
| Temporary residence visa | Permanent residence permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | A specific purpose for a set period | Live in South Africa indefinitely |
| Duration | From 90 days up to several years, depending on category | Permanent (conditions may apply) |
| Work rights | Only if the visa allows or is endorsed | Work, study or do business freely |
| Typical first step | Most people start here | Usually after years on a temporary visa |
| Where to apply | VFS Global / SA mission abroad | VFS Global / SA mission abroad |
04Avoid refusals
Four reasons temporary visa applications are refused
Applying too late
Renewals and changes of status should be lodged well before your current visa expires – ideally at least 60 days ahead. Late applications risk an overstay.
Expired or wrong documents
Police clearances, medical reports and bank statements have validity periods. One out-of-date page can sink an otherwise strong application.
Weak or missing motivation
Home Affairs decides on paper. A clear motivation letter that links every document to the legal requirement makes the officer’s decision easy.
Untranslated or unapostilled papers
Foreign documents usually need sworn translations into English and, where applicable, an apostille or authentication.
05Fees
What does a temporary residence visa 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 temporary residence visa 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.
ApplicationsVisa & Permit Applications
Complete, checked application packs for any South African visa or permit, prepared and tracked for you.
- Document checklist & review
- VFS appointment booking
- Tracking until outcome
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
PermanentPermanent Residence
Section 26 and 27 permanent residence: work, spouse, child, critical skills, business, retired and financially independent.
- Route & eligibility assessment
- Police & medical clearances
- Long-wait follow-ups
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
Temporary Residence Visa FAQs
Straight answers to the questions our clients ask most.
Which temporary residence visa do I need?
It depends on why you are in South Africa: visiting, joining a spouse or relative, studying, working, running a business, receiving medical treatment or retiring. Each purpose has its own visa under Sections 11 to 22 of the Immigration Act, and we confirm the right one at your consultation.
Can I apply for a temporary visa from inside South Africa?
Renewals and some changes of status can be lodged inside South Africa through VFS Global. Visitor's visa holders generally cannot change to another visa from inside the country unless exceptional circumstances apply, which may need a separate application.
When should I apply to renew my visa?
Apply well before your current visa expires – ideally at least 60 days ahead. Waiting until the last week risks an overstay, which can lead to being declared undesirable.
How long does a temporary residence visa take?
Processing times vary by category and by Home Affairs workload, from a few weeks to several months. We give you a realistic estimate for your category and track the application until the outcome.
Can my spouse and children be included?
Yes. Accompanying spouses and children usually apply for their own visas linked to the main applicant, with marriage and birth certificates as proof. We prepare the family applications together.
Do I need a police clearance for a temporary visa?
Most categories require police clearance certificates from every country you lived in for a year or more since turning 18. Some short visitor's visas do not. We tell you exactly what your category needs.
Can I work on a visitor's or spousal visa?
A standard visitor's visa does not allow work. A spousal visa can be endorsed to allow work, study or business if you apply for that endorsement with the right supporting documents.
How much does a temporary residence visa cost?
Our professional fee is quoted per case after your consultation, because the work depends on your category, family size and history. Home Affairs and VFS Global fees are separate and set by them.
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