1. As a permanent resident in South Africa, you have most of the rights and responsibilities of a citizen. However, you cannot obtain a South African passport or vote in government elections.

2. Upon receiving your permanent residence certificate, you must apply for a SA Identity Card. This card includes your SA ID-Number, essential for various activities such as applying for credit cards, car loans, bonds, mobile contracts, or opening accounts.

3. Permanent residency is granted for settling permanently in South Africa. Leaving the country for 3 years or longer may result in the withdrawal of your permanent resident status unless you inform the Department of Home Affairs and provide an acceptable reason for your absence.

4. As a permanent resident, you are legally required to exchange your foreign driver’s license for a South African driver’s license within 12 months from the issuance date of your certificate.

5. Spouses married for 5 years or longer to a South African permanent resident can apply for permanent residency based on the Spousal category. However, they must first receive a valid temporary residency visa before submitting the PR application to the Department.

Direct residence in South Africa

Subject to section 25 of the Immigration Act, as amended, and any prescribed requirements, the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs may issue a permanent residence permit to a foreigner who – 

• has been the holder of a work visa for five (5) years
• has been the spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident for five (5) years
• is a child under the age of 18 of a South African citizen or permanent resident
• is a child of a South African citizen

Residence on other grounds

The Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs may, subject to any prescribed requirements, issue a permanent residence permit to a foreigner of good and sound character who –

• has received an offer for permanent employment
• possesses extraordinary skills or qualifications
• intends to establish or has established a business in the Republic of South Africa
• is a refugee referred to in section 27(c) of the Refugees Act, 1998
• intends to retire in the Republic of South Africa
• is financially independent / has proven that he or she has the prescribed net worth
• is the relative of a South Africa citizen or permanent resident within the first step of kinship

Permanent Residence Permit in South Africa

South Africa welcomes immigrants who are in a position to make a meaningful contribution to broadening the economic base of South Africa.

Before you can apply for a permanent residency permit, you must first motivate why you should not  be declared a prohibited person or an undesirable person.

You and your spouse qualify for a direct permanent residence permit if you have lived in South Africa on the basis of your work permit for a minimum period of five years. Dependents of South African citizens or permanent residence permit holders can also apply.

Residency on other grounds applies to foreigners who:

• are in possession of a permanent work offer in South Africa
• have exceptional skills and qualifications
• intend to establish a business in South Africa
• qualify as refugees in terms of Section 27(c) of the Refugees Act
• qualify as retired persons
• are financially independent or
• are relatives (biologically or judicially adopted) of a South African citizen or permanent residence permit holder.

South African Permanent Residency benefits

You’ve heard that permanent residency applications take a long time to finalize. Some PR applicants have waited three or even five years for outcomes!

You’ll be forgiven for wondering if it’s worth applying for permanent residence. We say it is.

1. Greater flexibility

As a South Africa permanent resident, you have the same rights as a South African citizen.

That means you can:

• Apply for jobs or set up a business without any restrictions.
• Take up any type of studies, including part-time or short courses. The South African study visa only allows for full-time studies.

The only rights you don’t have are the right to vote and apply for a South African passport.

2. Greater security

Your permanent residency status is exactly that – permanent. That means you can live in South Africa without the fear of your life being interrupted by a rejected visa application or new immigration laws that make it impossible for you to stay in SA.

The only visas that require confirmation that you still meet PR requirements are the business visa and spousal visa. However, this process is not nearly as onerous as applying for or extending a visa!

3. No more visa application admin

Gathering the necessary paperwork is most people’s least favourite part of a visa application. The good news is that this admin is a thing of the past once you’re a permanent resident.

4. No more money spent on visa applications

Permanent residency does not expire and remains valid indefinitely. You won’t have to spend any more money on continuing your stay in South Africa!

All you have to do to retain your PR status is ensure that you do not remain outside of South Africa for more than three years at a time.

5. Permanent residency also for family members

Your family members are also allowed to apply for permanent residency. They can submit their application either with yours or once you’ve received your permanent residency permit.

Work in South Africa

South African unemployment is high at 34.4% – one of the highest rates in the world, the country has a reserve of semi-skilled and unskilled workers and the majority of employers prefer to hire South African natives.

However, in shortage industries, international applications from highly-skilled individuals are encouraged. Foreign workers are also encouraged to start their own businesses in the country, in cases where starting a business would bring wealth into South Africa from abroad or provide work opportunities for unemployed South Africans.

You’ll find plenty to explore in your free time, should you decide to make the move. The capital city of Cape Town offers panoramic views at the top of Table Mountain, a number of sandy beaches and culture spots such as the Seitz Museum of Contemporary Art.

Alternatively, by heading further afield you’ll be able to go on safari at the world-famous Kruger National Park, behold the natural beauty of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park or cage-dive with great white sharks – if you’re feeling adventurous.

Jobs in South Africa

Boasting one of the largest economies in Africa (second to Nigeria), South Africa is also one of the continent’s most industrialised countries. A world leader in mining and mineral processing, other key sectors include vehicle manufacture, agriculture, financial services and banking. The country also has well developed legal, energy and transport sectors.

Skills shortages

According to the Critical workers are needed in the following roles:

• Accountant
• Architect
• Bookkeeper
• Chef
• Company secretary
• Electrician    
• Management consultant
• Multimedia specialist
• Retail manager
• University lecturer
• Web designer.

This isn’t an exhaustive list so check the document to determine if you have the sought-after skills and qualifications to carry out an in-demand role.

Job salaries in South Africa

From 1 March 2020, the South African minimum wage increases by 3.8% to R20.76 an hour. This is lower for farm workers (R18.68), domestic workers (R15.57), and workers employed on expanded public works programs (R11.42).

The average gross monthly earnings to non-agricultural workers in South Africa in February 2020 is R22,387.

Work culture in South Africa

Most employees in South Africa work Monday to Friday, from 9:00–17:00. Organizational structure within national companies tends to be hierarchical with decision-making done at the top; however, this is more decentralized in some of the bigger global multinational firms.

Meetings and negotiations tend to take a more informal tone than in many American or European companies, although this varies by sector and business size.

Labor laws and labor rights in South Africa

Under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), employees can work up to 45 hours every week (no more than 12 hours a day) and can choose to work a further 10 hours a week in overtime.

Annual leave entitlement is 21 days per year for full-time employment, plus public holidays. Trade unions are important in South Africa and about a quarter of the working population belong to the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). Union members have higher average salaries than non-members.

There is no legal requirement for employment contracts in South Africa, however, many companies use them. You will find them issued as standard in most large companies.

Notice periods for termination of employment according to the BCEA are as follows:

• One week if the employee has been working for six months or less;
• Two weeks if the employee has been working 6–12 months;
• Four weeks if the employee has been working more than a year (or more than six months if a farm worker or domestic worker)