South Africa Relative's Visa Checklist
The Relative's Visa is for the immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent resident who provides the prescribed financial assurance. Based on the official guidance (dha.gov.za), September 2026.
Who it is for
- A foreign national who is the immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- That citizen or resident must provide the prescribed financial assurance.
- Apply at any DHA regional office or the nearest South African mission.
Financial assurance and validity
| Assurance (section 18(1)) | Monthly amount per person, currently R8,500.00 |
| Proof | Current payslips or certified bank statements no older than 3 months |
| Validity | Maximum 2 years at a time |
The official page shows a financial assurance (section 18(1)) of R8,500.00 and a living-cost availability of at least R8,500.00 per month; both are stated as the official text writes them.
Documents
- Completed application form.
- Passport with at least 1 blank visa page, valid for at least 30 days beyond the intended visit.
- Vaccination certificate where required by law.
- Payment of the applicable fee (not required for the spouse or dependent child of a citizen or permanent resident).
- A cash deposit equivalent to a return or onward ticket (not required for the spouse or dependent child of a citizen or permanent resident).
- A statement or proof of purpose and duration, plus evidence of the immediate relationship (children: full birth certificate; spouse: marriage certificate; others: proof of relationship).
- Police clearance: from the age of 18, for every country where you lived 12 months or more.
- Medical and radiological report for the applicant and all accompanying family (not required for pregnant women and children under 12).
- Proof of the South African relative's citizenship or permanent residence (ID or passport).
- Proof of availability of at least R8,500.00 per month in living costs (not required for the spouse or dependent minor child of a citizen or permanent resident).
No work
The permit holder may not conduct work.
Not published
The full legal definition of “immediate family” and whether the R8,500.00 assurance and the section 18(1) requirement are one item or two are not fully published on the page used here, so they are not asserted here.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Relative's Visa for?
A foreign national who is the immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent resident, where that citizen or resident provides the prescribed financial assurance.
What is the financial assurance?
The assurance (section 18(1)) is a monthly amount per person, determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette, currently R8,500.00, proved by current payslips or certified bank statements no older than 3 months.
How long is it valid?
A maximum of 2 years at a time.
Can I work on it?
No. The permit holder may not conduct work.
Are there exemptions from some documents?
Yes. The permit fee and the cash deposit are not required for the spouse or dependent child of a citizen or permanent resident, and the medical and radiological report is not required for pregnant women and children under 12.
What is not published?
The full legal definition of “immediate family” and the relationship between the R8,500.00 assurance and the section 18(1) requirement are not fully published on the page used here, so they are not asserted here.
Related: the the South Africa Retired Person's Visa checklist, document translation and copies, and the checklists hub.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, South Africa (dha.gov.za), "Types of visas" — retrieved 2026-09-29. Requirements change, so confirm the current position on the official page before you apply.