Visa Information

Moving to another country - especially one so far from family and friends - is a big decision and being prepared will help the process be much smoother and stress-free. Your biggest concern after you've made the decision to emigrate will be securing a South Africa visa for you and your family.

To move permanently to South Africa and to get a visa, you will need to fall into one of the applicable groupings that the South African government has determined.

This should not be considered emigration advice, and visa information can change. For professional advice and the most up-to-date information, suggest you contact a qualified migration specialist for more information or the South Africa Department of Home Affairs.

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Removals to South Africa Britannia Bradshaws

Obtaining your visa

Unless you have a valid long-term visa, you should not travel to South Africa before approval has been granted by the South African authorities. There have been reports of delays getting approval so you should apply as early as possible to avoid disruptions to your travel plans. The Department of Home Affairs will inform you whether your application has been successful.

Removals to South Africa Britannia Bradshaws

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Removals to South Africa Britannia Bradshaws

Temporary residence permits

  • Business permits

Foreigners who are contemplating investing in the South African economy by establishing a business or investing in an existing business must apply for a business permit. As an applicant, you will be required to make a financial capital contribution, which can be reduced for certain industries or business types.

  • Work permits

Work permits are issued only to foreigners where South African citizens with the relevant skills are not available for the job. These permits are open-ended and applications must be made at any regional office of the South African Department of Home Affairs or nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad.

  • General work permits

General work permits are valid for the duration of the contract of employment. 

  • Exceptional skills work permits

Exceptional skills work permits are only valid for three years.

  • Intra-company transfer work permits

Multi-national companies may transfer an existing employee from a foreign branch of a company to a branch in South Africa. These employees must apply for intra-company transfer work permits. Intra-company transfer work permits are valid for two years and cannot be renewed or extended.

  • Corporate permits

A corporate permit allows a corporate entity such as a mine group, farmer, etc. to employ a pre-determined number of skilled/semi-skilled/unskilled workers. There is no fixed validity period for such permits, as the validity period is determined by the corporation upon application.

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Removals to South Africa Britannia Bradshaws

Temporary residence permits

  • Study permits

Study permits are valid for the duration of the course for which they are issued, alternatively 36 months for school and 24 months for other institutions.

  • Exchange Permits

Exchange permits may be issued to foreigners under the age of 25 who wish to participate in cultural, economic or social exchange programmes administered by the State or a public higher educational institution in conjunction with a foreign state. The validity period of an exchange permit depends on the length of the programme for which it is issued and usually does not exceed 12 months. Exchange permits can not be renewed or extended.

  • Retired person permits

Retired persons’ permits may be issued to persons who wish to retire in South Africa, provided that you can comply with certain financial regulations.

  • Family permits

As an immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent resident you may be issued a relative's permit once the financial means as contemplated in the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) have been complied with. Relative’s permits are valid for a minimum period of 24 months and may be extended.

  • Medical treatment permits

Medical Treatment permits are valid for six months only.

Removals to South Africa Britannia Bradshaws

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South Africa Removals Britannia Bradshaws

Permanent residency (immigration)

In terms of granting Permanent Residency Permits, emphasis is placed on immigrants who are in a position to make a meaningful contribution to broadening the economic base of South Africa.

In order to make an application for a permanent residency permit, applicants must first submit representation to the Minister of Home Affairs motivating why he or she should be declared not to be a prohibited person or an undesirable person.

  • Direct residence permits

This category of permit is applicable to foreigners who have been residing in South Africa on the basis of their work permits for a minimum period of five years, their spouses and also to dependents of South African citizens/permanent residence permit holders.

Meet our movers

Call Us:  Manchester: 0161 877 5555  Birmingham: 0121 504 0966 orGet a Quote

Removal quote appointment booking service

Britannia Bradshaw can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0161 877 5555 (Manchester) or 0121 504 0966 (Birmingham & Coventry) and speak with one of our removals specialists.

How are our appointments carried out

In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.

See what our customers think of us...

The move was done at the time stated and very efficiently.

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Details through post.

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Friendly service and cheaper than other quote.

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Very efficient, professional and friendly.

How would you rate our communication?
10/10

How can we improve our service?
Not sure you can.

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
The move was done at the time stated and very efficiently.

Christine Haley

Quick, clean, tidy and couldn’t have been more helpful

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Internet search and good reviews

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Good reviews and local

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Both Rhys and Ben were excellent. Quick clean tidy and couldn’t have been more helpful with everything. Very pleased with the service.

How would you rate our communication?
10/10

How can we improve our service?
It was excellent

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
As above

David McGing

They were brilliant

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Flyer through the door & then googled reviews

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Good price & good reviews

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were brilliant!  Really quick, took care of all my belongings, explained what happened next!

How would you rate our communication?
10/10

How can we improve our service?
Nothing from my side

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10

Helen Fraser

a good team who clearly knew their stuff.

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Found you on-line

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
8/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Fair price based on a thorough initial survey

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Friendly, reassuring, efficient, thorough - a good team who clearly knew their stuff. 

How would you rate our communication?
9/10

How can we improve our service?
Would have liked to know your team’s eta on day 1 of the move out.  Phoned the office - they checked with the driver and I was then kept well informed.

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
9/10

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Your team were reassuring & substantially eased the stress of our move.

Barbara Hedley

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