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Residency

South Africa — Residency: Processing Times

South African critical skills visas have a stated minimum processing time of about 20 working days, while permanent residence applications take 12 to 24 months at VFS.

VerifiedGovernment / official sourceDHA / VFS Global — South Africa visa processingLast reviewed: 2026-10-23

Key facts

  • A DHA checklist effective March 2024 gives a minimum processing time of 20 days for critical skills visas; a mission page says 21 working days if complete.
  • VFS Global says permanent residence applications in other categories are finalised between 12 and 24 months after submission.
  • A general work visa checklist for the Trusted Employer Scheme gives 5 to 20 working days.
  • These are indicative figures and not a current official DHA table, so confirm with VFS.

Steps

  1. Submit Application — Submit residency application online through the Department of Home Affairs website.

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