Voter Registration Weekend
Centurion Office Relocation
Rustenburg Office Relocation
Book Online
Citizenship Reinstatement
Apply Online
Various Visa Schemes
LATEST NEWS UPDATE
Over 200 bank branches now live under ground-breaking Home Affairs digital partnership
Created on 24 June, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs has reached another historic milestone on its path-breaking journey of digital transformation, with 203 bank branches now live through our new digital partnership model ...

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Home Affairs offices open nationwide this weekend to support voter registration
Created on 19 June, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs will extend operating hours at offices across the country this weekend in support of the Electoral Commission of South Africa's Voter Registration Weekend. All Home Aff...

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Home Affairs launches upgraded online booking system to combat fraud and improve access to services
Created on 18 June, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs has launched an upgraded online booking system on the MyHomeAffairsOnline platform, introducing enhanced security measures to prevent the abuse of booking slots and impr...

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Department of Home Affairs and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development establish priority court in Durban to support immigration enforcement
Created on 16 June, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, has established a priority court to process immigration matters involving Malawian natio...

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Department of Home Affairs repatriates 586 Nigerian nationals
Created on 11 June, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs confirms that it has processed 586 Nigerian nationals for repatriation after they were found to be residing in the Republic of South Africa illegally. The first repatri...

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Refugee Appeals Authority calls on asylum seekers gathered outside the Durban Refugee Reception Office to come forward for the finalisation of their appeals
Created on 09 June, 2026
The Refugee Appeals Authority (RAA) urges all asylum seekers with pending appeals who are currently gathered outside the Durban Refugee Reception Office to report to the Authority's offices as a matte...

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Home Affairs launches nationwide campaign to resolve blocked ID numbers 
Created on 01 June, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs is launching a nationwide campaign to assist individuals whose identity documents (IDs) were blocked prior to November 2022 and to ensure the integrity of the National P...

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Minister Schreiber commends BMA for intelligence-driven interception of drug consignment worth nearly R1 billion at Beitbridge Port of Entry 
Created on 28 May, 2026
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, commends the Border Management Authority (BMA), the Hawks, SAPS K9 units, and all law enforcement officials involved in what is likely the single bigge...

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Home Affairs builds digital verification platform for National Treasury to combat ghost workers 
Created on 26 May, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs has developed a world-class new online real-time employee verification portal for National Treasury as part of government’s broader digital transformation agenda to stre...

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APPLICANTS WITH CRITICAL SKILLS [SECTION 27(A) AND SECTION 27(B)] 

Family members may apply together with the main applicant 

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

ALL DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY THE ISSUING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN SHALL BE ORIGINAL OR COPIES APOSTLED AND WHERE APPLICABLE TRANSLATED INTO ONE OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE REPUBLIC, WHICH TRANSLATION SHALL BE CERTIFIED AS A CORRECT TRANSLATION BY A SWORN TRANSLATOR.

  • A duly completed BI-947 form online. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by Department of Home Affairs.
  • A valid passport in respect of each applicant.
  • In respect of a spouse accompanying the applicant or joining the applicant in the Republic, a marriage certificate or proof of relationship as contemplated in Regulation 3.
  • In respect of dependent children accompanying the applicant or joining the applicant in the Republic, proof of parental responsibilities and rights or written consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent or legal guardian, as the case may be:
  • Applicable application fee, original bank payment / Electronic Fund Transfer receipt for each applicant, where applicable.
  • Appointment Letter, a passport photograph for all applicants one year of age and older. A recent, passport-type, full face photograph bearing the names of the applicants on the reverse side thereof. (Machine-type or instant photographs are not acceptable).
  • Unabridged birth certificate, or extract from birth record for applicant(s). 
  • Biometrics in respect of any applicant over the age of sixteen years
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate if that person travelled or intends travelling from or transit through a yellow fever endemic area: Provided that the certificate shall not be required where that person travelled or intends travelling in direct transit through such area or where an application is made in the Republic.
  • Police clearance certificate(s) All applicants 18 years of age and older. In respect of all countries of residence for one year or longer (only originals issued by the relevant security authority will be accepted.
  • Radiological reports: Provided that the radiological report shall not be required in respect of children under the age of 12 years or pregnant woman.
  • Medical Certificate as per format provided in Services section on the website. 
  • Marriage certificate, or extract from marriage record. Proof of registration of customary marriage in terms of Recognition of Customary Marriages Act No 120 of 1998 (Act No. 120 of 1998) where applicable / 
  • A notarial agreement signed by both parties attesting that –(i) the permanent spousal homosexual or heterosexual relationship has existed for at least two years before the date of application for a relevant visa or permanent residence permit and that the relationship still exist to the exclusion of any other person and (ii) neither of the parties is a spouse in an existing marriage or a permanent homosexual or heterosexual relationship
  • Spousal affidavit. Part A of form 12 confirming the continued existence of the relationship. 
  • Part B: an applicant contemplated in Sub Regulation (1) who has been issued with a visa or permanent residence permit must, after a period of two years from the date of issuing of that visa or permanent residence permit, inform the Director-General whether or not the spousal relationship still exists by submitting to the Director-General an affidavit on Part B of form 12.
  • In the case where such a party was a spouse in the previous marriage, any official documents that prove the dissolution of such marriage either by divorce or the death of the other spouse.
  • Documentation to proof financial support to each other and extent to which the related responsibilities are shared by the applicant and his/her spouse and in the case of a relationship concluded between two foreigners in a foreign country, an official recognition of the relationship issued by the relevant authorities of the country concerned, if available. All married applicants or parties to spousal relationship.
  • A deed poll in the case of the applicant who has changed his or her name, surname or sex
  • Where the application is made in the Republic, a valid visa for temporary sojourn at the time of application, in respect of each applicant.
  • Proof that the applicant falls within the critical skills category as per prescribed list.
  • Confirmation, in writing, from the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA in terms of section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualification Framework Act, or any relevant Government Department confirming the skills or qualifications of the applicant and appropriate post qualification experience.
  • If required by law, proof of application for a certificate of registration with the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA in terms of Section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualification Framework Act; and 
  • Proof of evaluation of the foreign qualification by SAQA and translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the Republic