Relative Visa Requirements (2026)
A South African relative visa allows family members to join their relatives who are South African citizens or permanent residents. Understanding the requirements, application process, and conditions helps ensure a successful application for family reunification. This comprehensive 2026 guide covers everything you need to know about South African relative visa requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Apply
Eligibility:
- Family members: Of South African citizens or permanent residents
- Relationship types: Parents, siblings, children (over 18), other relatives
- Sponsor status: Relative must be SA citizen or permanent resident
- Financial support: Sponsor must prove ability to support
- Genuine relationship: Must prove family relationship
Qualifying Relationships:
- Parents: Of SA citizen/permanent resident
- Siblings: Brothers or sisters
- Children: Over 18 years
- Other relatives: As specified
- Check eligibility: For your relationship
Sponsor Requirements
Sponsor Must Be:
- South African citizen: Or permanent resident
- Financially capable: Prove ability to support
- Willing to support: Provide financial undertaking
- Resident in SA: Living in South Africa
- Meet requirements: As specified
Financial Undertaking:
- Form BI-1739: Financial undertaking form
- Proof of income: Salary slips, bank statements
- Support commitment: Undertaking to support relative
- Minimum income: Check requirements
- Valid for duration: Of visa period
Required Documents
Essential Documents
Required Documents:
- Valid Passport: Minimum 6 months validity, 2 blank pages
- Completed Application Form: BI-1739 form (relative visa)
- Two Passport Photos: Recent photos meeting requirements
- Proof of Relationship: Birth certificates, marriage certificates
- Sponsor Documents: Sponsor's ID, proof of status
- Financial Undertaking: Form BI-1739 from sponsor
- Sponsor's Financial Proof: Bank statements, salary slips
- Medical Insurance: Comprehensive medical cover
- Medical Certificate: Health certificate
- Police Clearance: From country of origin (if 18+)
- Accommodation Proof: Where you'll stay
- Application Fee: Payment receipt
Additional Documents (if applicable):
- Marriage Certificate: If relationship through marriage
- Adoption Papers: If adopted
- Court Orders: If applicable
- Other Documentation: As required
Proof of Relationship
Relationship Documentation:
- Birth Certificates: Showing relationship
- Marriage Certificates: If applicable
- Family Registration: Official family records
- DNA Tests: If required (rare cases)
- Other Proof: As specified
For Parents:
- Birth Certificate: Of SA citizen/permanent resident child
- Parent's ID: If available
- Family Records: Official documentation
- Proof of Relationship: Clear evidence
For Siblings:
- Birth Certificates: Of both siblings
- Same Parents: Proof of same parents
- Family Records: Official documentation
- Proof of Relationship: Clear evidence
For Children:
- Birth Certificate: Showing parent-child relationship
- Parent's ID: If available
- Family Records: Official documentation
- Proof of Relationship: Clear evidence
Sponsor Documents
Sponsor Requirements:
- ID Document: South African ID or permanent residence permit
- Proof of Status: Citizenship or permanent residence
- Financial Proof: Bank statements, salary slips
- Financial Undertaking: Form BI-1739
- Accommodation Proof: Where relative will stay
- Employment Proof: If employed
Financial Undertaking Form:
- Form BI-1739: Complete and sign
- Financial Commitment: Undertaking to support
- Duration: For visa validity period
- Legal Commitment: Binding undertaking
- Must be signed: By sponsor
Financial Requirements
Sponsor's Financial Means:
- Minimum Income: Check current requirements
- Bank Statements: Last 3-6 months
- Salary Slips: If employed
- Proof of Income: Sufficient to support relative
- No burden on state: Must not rely on state support
Financial Threshold:
- Varies by number of dependents
- Generally R8,500+ per month (check current)
- Must cover relative's needs
- Accommodation, food, medical
- Other living expenses
Medical Requirements
Medical Certificate:
- Health certificate: From recognized medical practitioner
- Recent examination: Within specified period
- Health status: Good health confirmation
- No communicable diseases: As required
- Medical clearance: As specified
Medical Insurance:
- Comprehensive cover: Required
- Valid for duration: Of visa period
- Coverage amount: Minimum requirements
- South African provider: Or recognized international
- Proof of insurance: Certificate required
Police Clearance
Police Clearance Certificate:
- From country of origin: Required if 18+
- Recent certificate: Within specified period (typically 6 months)
- No criminal record: Or explanation if applicable
- Official certificate: From police authorities
- Translation: If not in English
Multiple Countries:
- If lived in multiple countries
- May need clearances from all
- If lived 12+ months in each
- Check specific requirements
- Plan accordingly
Application Process
Step 1: Prepare Sponsor Documents
Sponsor Preparation:
- Get financial undertaking form (BI-1739)
- Gather financial documents
- Prepare proof of status
- Get accommodation proof
- Complete undertaking form
Sponsor Checklist:
- ✓ ID document (SA citizen/permanent resident)
- ✓ Proof of status
- ✓ Financial proof (bank statements, salary slips)
- ✓ Financial undertaking form (BI-1739)
- ✓ Accommodation proof
- ✓ Employment proof (if applicable)
Step 2: Gather Applicant Documents
Document Preparation:
- Ensure passport valid (6+ months)
- Get proof of relationship
- Get medical certificate
- Obtain police clearance
- Get medical insurance
- Complete application form
- Get passport photos
Document Checklist:
- ✓ Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓ Completed application form (BI-1739)
- ✓ Two passport photos
- ✓ Proof of relationship
- ✓ Sponsor documents
- ✓ Financial undertaking
- ✓ Medical insurance certificate
- ✓ Medical certificate
- ✓ Police clearance (if 18+)
- ✓ Accommodation proof
- ✓ Application fee payment
- ✓ Additional documents (if needed)
Step 3: Complete Application Form
Form Requirements:
- Form Type: BI-1739 (relative visa application)
- Completion: Fill all sections accurately
- Information: Must match passport and documents
- Relationship Details: Accurate relationship information
- Sponsor Information: Complete sponsor details
- Signature: Must be signed
- Date: Must be dated
Form Sections:
- Personal information
- Passport details
- Relationship information
- Sponsor details
- Financial information
- Accommodation details
- Medical information
- Declaration and signature
Step 4: Pay Application Fee
Relative Visa Fees (2026):
- Application Fee: R425
- Non-refundable: Even if declined
- Payment required: Before application
- Additional fees: May apply for extensions
Payment Methods:
- Bank deposit (most common)
- Online payment (if available)
- Cash at embassy/consulate
- Check accepted methods
- Keep proof of payment
Step 5: Submit Application
At Embassy/Consulate/VFS:
- Book appointment (if required)
- Bring all documents
- Submit application form
- Provide required documents
- Pay application fee (if not paid)
- Biometric capture (if required)
Application Submission:
- Document verification
- Information check
- Biometric capture (fingerprints, photo)
- Application logged
- Receipt issued
- Reference number provided
Step 6: Wait for Processing
Processing Times:
- Standard Processing: 8-12 weeks
- May vary: By country and circumstances
- Complex cases: Longer processing
- Track application: Use reference number
- Be patient: Processing takes time
Tracking:
- Online status check (if available)
- Email updates (if provided)
- Phone inquiry
- Embassy/consulate contact
- VFS tracking (if applicable)
Step 7: Collect Visa
When Ready:
- Receive notification
- Bring passport
- Bring application receipt
- Collect visa
- Verify visa details
Visa Collection:
- Must collect in person (usually)
- Bring identification
- Verify visa information
- Check validity dates
- Check visa conditions
Visa Conditions
Validity and Renewal
Visa Validity:
- Up to 2 years: Initial period typically
- Renewable: Can be renewed
- Tied to relationship: Must maintain relationship
- Tied to sponsor: Dependent on sponsor
- Check expiry date: Regularly
Renewal Process:
- Apply before expiry
- Provide updated documents
- Updated financial undertaking
- Proof of continuing relationship
- Updated financial proof
- Medical insurance renewal
Work Rights
Work Restrictions:
- May have restrictions: Check visa conditions
- May need work permit: For employment
- Check specific conditions: On your visa
- May allow work: Depending on visa type
- Follow conditions: As specified
Relationship Maintenance
Must Maintain:
- Genuine relationship: With sponsor
- Family relationship: Must continue
- Sponsor support: Must continue
- Compliance: With visa conditions
- Regular contact: With sponsor
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for a relative visa?
Requirements include a valid passport (6+ months validity), proof of relationship to a South African citizen or permanent resident, sponsor's financial undertaking (form BI-1739), sponsor's financial proof, completed application form (BI-1739), two passport photos, medical insurance, medical certificate, police clearance (if 18+), accommodation proof, and payment of the R425 application fee.
Who can sponsor a relative visa?
A South African citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a relative visa. The sponsor must prove financial ability to support the relative, provide a financial undertaking (form BI-1739), and meet minimum income requirements.
How much does a relative visa cost?
A relative visa application costs R425 in 2026. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid before application submission. Additional fees may apply for visa extensions or renewals.
How long does it take to get a relative visa?
Relative visa processing typically takes 8-12 weeks from application submission, though this may vary by country, circumstances, and application completeness. Complex cases or additional verification may take longer.
What relationships qualify for a relative visa?
Qualifying relationships include parents, siblings, and children (over 18) of South African citizens or permanent residents. Other relatives may qualify in specific circumstances. You must provide proof of the relationship through birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other official documentation.
Can I work on a relative visa?
Work rights on a relative visa depend on the specific visa conditions. Some relative visas may have work restrictions, while others may allow work. Check the conditions on your visa, and you may need to apply for a work permit separately if you want to work.
Can I extend my relative visa?
Yes, you can extend your relative visa if you need to continue staying in South Africa. Apply for extension before your visa expires, provide updated documents (updated financial undertaking, proof of continuing relationship, updated financial proof, renewed medical insurance), and pay extension fees.
What if my sponsor can no longer support me?
If your sponsor can no longer support you, you may need to find an alternative sponsor, apply for a different visa type, or leave South Africa. The relative visa is tied to the sponsor's financial undertaking, so changes in sponsor circumstances may affect your visa status.
Do I need medical insurance for a relative visa?
Yes, comprehensive medical insurance is required for a relative visa. The insurance must be valid for the duration of your visa period and meet minimum coverage requirements. You must provide proof of insurance with your application.
Can a relative visa lead to permanent residence?
A relative visa can potentially lead to permanent residence after a qualifying period (typically 5 years) if you meet the requirements for permanent residence. However, the relative visa itself is temporary and must be renewed during the qualifying period.
Conclusion
South African relative visa requirements include proof of relationship to a South African citizen or permanent resident, sponsor's financial undertaking and financial proof, completed application form (BI-1739), medical insurance, medical certificate, police clearance (if 18+), and payment of the R425 application fee. The application process takes 8-12 weeks, and the visa is valid for up to 2 years (renewable). The visa is tied to the sponsor's financial undertaking and the family relationship. Plan ahead, gather all required documents, and ensure your sponsor meets financial requirements for a successful application.
For more information about visa types, requirements, processing times, or Home Affairs services, explore our other comprehensive Home Affairs guides.
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