Quick Answer: Documents Required for Relative Visa
A relative visa file establishes two things: that you fall within the degrees of kinship the route covers, and that your South African relative will support you and can afford to.
Proving the relationship normally requires unabridged birth certificates for more than one person, sometimes from another country. That is usually the slowest part. Requirements.co.za is an independent information website. It is not a government department, immigration practitioner or legal adviser, and nothing here is immigration or legal advice.
Who This Requirement Applies To
This guide is for relative visa applicants and their South African relatives.
For the route, see Relative Visa Requirements South Africa.
Eligibility Requirements
The file has three parts, produced by different people.
Applicant type
- Applicant documents. Passport, form, photographs, police clearance and medical reports.
- Relationship documents. Unabridged birth certificates establishing the line of descent between you and your relative.
- Relative documents. Their identity document or permanent residence permit.
- Financial assurance. The undertaking and the relative supporting financial evidence. See Financial Support Requirements for Relative Visa.
- Foreign certificates. Legalisation and translation where issued outside South Africa.
Documents You May Need
Start with the certificates, since they may need to come from another country and be legalised.
Required proof
- Passport and completed application form.
- Unabridged birth certificates establishing the relationship.
- South African relative identity document or permanent residence permit.
- Financial assurance undertaking and the relative financial evidence.
- Legalisation and certified translation of foreign certificates.
- Police clearance and medical reports.
Steps to Apply or Prepare
Identify which certificates establish the line of descent, and obtain them in unabridged form.
Arrange legalisation and translation for any issued abroad, allowing for the timeline.
Arrange the financial assurance with your relative, then obtain police clearance and medical reports last.
Costs, Processing Times and Validity
Certificates, legalisation and translation carry their own costs, multiplied by the number of people in the line of descent. Police clearance and medical reports add more. Budget for the whole chain.
Common Mistakes and Delays
Common mistake
- Abridged certificates where unabridged ones are required.
- Missing a certificate in the middle of the line of descent.
- Financial assurance without the relative supporting evidence.
- Foreign certificates submitted without legalisation.
- Police clearance obtained before the certificates are ready, so it expires.
Where to Confirm Official Requirements
Confirm the current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs or its appointed visa application centre. The Official Requirements Sources South Africa page links to the responsible bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents prove the relationship?
Unabridged birth certificates establishing the line of descent between you and your South African relative. More than one certificate is commonly needed.
What does my relative supply?
Their identity document or permanent residence permit, the financial assurance undertaking, and evidence of their capacity to support you.
What if a certificate is from another country?
It normally requires legalisation, and translation where not in an accepted language. Allow time for this.
When should I get police clearance?
Last, since the certificate and legalisation work takes longer and clearance expires.
Where can I confirm the list?
Confirm with the Department of Home Affairs.