South Africa Retirement Visa | A Complete Guide

Application Process:

The application process for South Africa’s Retired Person Visa is conducted entirely offline, primarily involving two key steps:

1. Visa Application Submission:

Eligible applicants must gather all required documentation, complete the application form, schedule an appointment with their nearest South African embassy or consulate, and submit their application along with the visa fee on the appointed date.

The necessary documents for this application typically include:

• Applicant’s Personal Documents: This category includes a valid passport with at least two blank pages, passport-sized photographs, and documents proving the relationship between the main applicant and any dependents (e.g., birth certificates, marriage certificates).

• Proof of Name/Gender Change (if applicable): Relevant applicants will need to provide records of any previous name or gender changes.

• Application Form: You’ll need to complete and submit a DHA-1738 application form. A sample can typically be found via links provided by the South African Department of Home Affairs.

• Visa Fee Payment: A non-refundable visa fee of ZAR 425 is required.

• Proof of Income: Documentation demonstrating your stable monthly income as specified by the visa requirements.

• Medical Insurance Confirmation: You must provide proof of local medical insurance coverage for both the main applicant and any dependents.

• Police Clearance Certificate: You’ll need to provide a police clearance certificate from any country where you’ve resided for more than one year within the past five years.

• South African Address: You’ll need to provide a South African address; a hotel address is acceptable.

• Medical Examination Report: All main applicants and dependents must provide a medical report issued within six months prior to the application date. This includes proof of COVID-19 vaccination and an X-ray report (pregnant women and children under 12 are exempt from X-rays).

For the most up-to-date information on required documents, always refer to the official South African Department of Home Affairs website: https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/permanent-residency/10-immigration-services/971-documents-required-applicant-who-has-retired.

 All documents originating from outside South Africa must be notarized, and any non-English documents must be translated into English.

During the application submission, a South African visa officer may request a brief interview. This interview is not always required and depends on the individual circumstances of the applicant.

2. Visa Issuance:

Once your Retired Person Visa is granted, you can then proceed with making your travel arrangements to South Africa.

Dependent:

For the South African Retired Person Visa, the following individuals can be included as dependents on the main applicant’s application:

• The main applicant’s spouse or life partner (if the relationship has been established for at least five years).

• Unmarried children under the age of 21.

• Children of any age who have a physical or mental disability.

Visa Validity:

The South African Retired Person Visa is typically granted for a maximum period of four years. It can be renewed indefinitely, provided the applicant continues to meet the original eligibility criteria. You can apply for a renewal online via the VFS South Africa visa application platform up to 60 days before your current visa expires.

After five years of lawful residency in South Africa, foreign nationals become eligible to apply for South African permanent residency.

Following an additional five years of continuous residence as a permanent resident, individuals may then qualify to apply for naturalized South African citizenship.

Useful Links:

South Africa Retirement Visa：https://www.southafrica-usa.net/homeaffairs/permit_retired.htm