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An Immigration Request is a formal application to enter, stay, or work in South Africa through official Department of Home Affairs channels. It covers various permits like work visas, business visas, study permits, and permanent residence applications under the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.

This process requires specific documentation, including proof of financial means, police clearance certificates, and medical reports. South African businesses often help foreign employees file these requests, while individuals can submit applications at embassies, consulates, or VFS Global offices. Processing times vary by permit type and current administrative workload.

File an Immigration Request when planning to enter South Africa for work, study, business activities, or permanent residence. This is essential before relocating employees to South African offices, starting university studies, or launching local business operations that require extended stays in the country.

Submit your Immigration Request at least 60 days before your intended travel or visa expiry date. Critical timing applies especially for work permit renewals, changing employers while on a work visa, or transitioning from one visa category to another. Companies recruiting international talent must initiate requests early to avoid delays in start dates and ensure compliance with labor regulations.

• Study Permit Requests: For international students planning to attend South African educational institutions, requiring proof of acceptance and financial means
• Work Visa Requests: For skilled professionals seeking employment, including critical skills visas and intra-company transfers
• Business Visa Requests: For entrepreneurs or investors planning to establish or invest in South African businesses
• Permanent Residence Requests: For long-term settlement, based on work, business, retirement, or relationship grounds
• Temporary Residence Extensions: For extending existing permits while maintaining legal status in South Africa

• Foreign Nationals: Submit Immigration Requests to legally enter, work, study, or reside in South Africa
• Employers: Assist international employees with work permit applications and ensure compliance with labor regulations
• Immigration Attorneys: Guide clients through the application process, prepare documentation, and handle complex cases
• Department of Home Affairs: Reviews and processes requests, conducts background checks, and issues final decisions
• VFS Global Officers: Accept applications, verify documentation completeness, and facilitate communication between applicants and authorities

• Personal Documentation: Gather valid passport, birth certificate, police clearance certificates, and medical reports
• Financial Proof: Prepare bank statements, employment contracts, or proof of financial means to support your stay
• Supporting Evidence: Collect acceptance letters from institutions, job offers, or business plans depending on visa type
• Form Completion: Fill out relevant DHA forms accurately, ensuring all sections match your supporting documents
• Quality Check: Review all documents for completeness, certified copies where required, and correct translations
• Submission Preparation: Book VFS appointment, organize documents according to checklist, and prepare payment

• Personal Details: Full legal name, date of birth, passport number, and contact information as shown in official documents
• Purpose Declaration: Clear statement of intended visa category and activities in South Africa
• Duration Details: Specific dates of intended entry and stay, matching supporting documentation
• Financial Declaration: Proof of sufficient funds or sponsorship details meeting minimum requirements
• Employment Information: Current occupation, employer details, and South African work arrangements if applicable
• Compliance Statements: Declarations regarding criminal record, health status, and previous immigration history

An Immigration Request differs significantly from an Immigration Form in several key aspects, though they're often confused. While both relate to immigration processes, their purposes and applications are distinct.

• Scope and Purpose: Immigration Requests are comprehensive applications initiating a specific visa or permit process, while Immigration Forms are standardized documents used for various immigration-related procedures
• Processing Level: Requests typically require extensive review and approval at multiple government levels, whereas Forms often serve as supporting documentation or routine administrative procedures
• Documentation Requirements: Requests demand extensive supporting evidence and documentation, while Forms usually require basic information and fewer attachments
• Timeline Impact: Requests initiate long-term immigration processes with significant waiting periods, while Forms generally involve shorter processing times for routine matters