Permanent residence applications are lodged through VFS Global and decided by the Department of Home Affairs. You apply on Form BI-947 under section 26 (direct residence) or section 27 (other grounds) of the Immigration Act, with the documents for your category. VFS receives your file and captures biometrics; it does not decide.
As of 17 August 2026 the Home Affairs fee is R1 520 for most categories, and the medical report has been waived since July 2026. Details below, from the Home Affairs permanent residency page.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
Direct residence (section 26):
- 26(a): you have held a work visa for five years and have an offer of permanent employment.
- 26(b): you have been the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident for five years, in a good-faith relationship.
- 26(c) and (d): a child under 18 of a citizen or permanent resident, or a child of a citizen.
Other grounds (section 27):
- 27(a): a permanent work offer
- 27(b): critical or extraordinary skills
- 27(c): business
- 27(d): refugees
- 27(e): retired person
- 27(f): financially independent
- 27(g): relative of a citizen or permanent resident
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
If you apply inside South Africa, each applicant needs a valid passport and a visa for temporary sojourn at the time of application. Biometrics are required for any applicant over 16.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
The Department lists these documents, with category documents added on Form BI-947:
- The application fee
- Birth certificate
- Police clearance certificates
- Marital status documents, and a deed poll if your name has changed
- Yellow fever certificate, where applicable
- Valid passport and visa, if applying in South Africa
Foreign documents must be originals or copies apostilled by the issuing authority, with translation into an official South African language by a sworn translator where applicable.
Police clearance: the Department’s page asks for a certificate from each country where you lived for 12 months or longer during the five years before your application. The regulations define it as each country of 12 months or longer residence after turning 18, and not older than six months at submission. Confirm which period VFS applies to you.
The medical report was waived for permanent residence applications by Directive No. 10 of 2026, gazetted on 17 July 2026 (Government Gazette 55016). The Department’s own page still lists it, and the directive does not mention the radiological report, so check what VFS expects.
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
The fee is R1 520 for a permanent residence permit, excluding applications under sections 26(b), 26(c) and 27(d); proof of permanent residence costs R100 (Government Gazette 55209, from 17 August 2026). VFS charges a separate service fee, so ask VFS for the current amount for this category.
Financial amounts for retired and financially independent applicants are set by the Minister by Gazette notice and are not in the regulations text. Confirm the current amounts with Home Affairs.
If you are a prohibited or undesirable person, you must first obtain a Ministerial declaration, through a representation to Law Enforcement, before you can apply. Waivers use Form 48 and exemptions Form 47, addressed to the Minister with reasons.
How to Prepare or Apply
Start on the VFS Global Home Affairs site. Follow VFS’s booking instructions for appointment rules and its service fee.
The Department’s in-country turnaround targets, in working days, are 8 months for 26(a), 27(b) and 27(c), and 240 days for spouse and dependants under 26(b), (c) and (d) and for retired, financially independent and relative applicants (turnaround times). Keep your temporary visa valid while you wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do VFS permanent residence application requirements include?
Form BI-947 with your category documents, police clearance, birth certificate, passport and temporary visa if applying in South Africa, biometrics for applicants over 16, and the fee. The medical report is waived.
What does VFS do?
It receives your application and captures biometrics for the Department of Home Affairs, which decides.
How do I make an application for permanent residence in South Africa?
Apply under section 26 or 27 on Form BI-947. Spouses need five years of a good-faith relationship, and work visa holders need five years plus a permanent job offer.
How much does permanent residence cost?
R1 520 for most categories, excluding 26(b), 26(c) and 27(d), plus a VFS service fee to confirm. Proof of permanent residence is R100.
How long does permanent residence take?
The Department’s targets are 8 months for work, skills and business categories and 240 days for most others, in working days, for in-country applications.
Which category should I apply under?
The one that matches your basis: work, skills, business, retirement, financial independence, spouse or relative. Each has different evidence on Form BI-947.
Can VFS expedite my application?
No. VFS handles submission and biometrics only; Home Affairs decides.
Confirm current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs and VFS Global before you apply. See visa requirements and browse all travel and immigration requirements.