Expert Info
on 16 Apr 2013
Hi, I am currently in a life partner with a SA citizen which means I get to reside in the country on a Life Partner visa. If I want to end this, how does it work? And if I want to work in Cape Town, do I have to leave the country first then come back as a tourist and apply for a work permit or is there a possibility of sorting out my work permit beforehand? I am also aware that it is possible to obtain a work permit more easily based on the Life Partner visa, which is something I do NOT want (as this would automatically be invalid when the relationship ends). Any advice or suggestions would be great! Thanks.
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When you are no longer in a relationship with a South African citizen, then technically your Life Partner visa becomes invalid. The conditions on the visa do state that you need to reside with the SA life partner.
Your best option would be to go to Home Affairs and change the type of visa you are on to a work permit (if your employer is willing to sponsor you).
If you have specialised skills that are sought after in South Africa, then I would advise you too look into getting a Special Skills Work Permit. This will allow you to take up any job in your field and it would not be tied to any relationship you would have with a South Africa.
For more detailed information take a look at the Expat Arrivals pages on Visas for South Africa and Work Permits for South Africa.
Hope this helps,
Shantalie
Unfortunatley, I can't even begin to estimate how long the permit will take to come through. I can take anything from 2 weeks to 2 years, literally.
My first Life Partner Visa took almost 9 months to come through. The renewal took just 3 weeks.
That was my experience, I know people who've had to wait 18 months for a business visa.
Officially Home Affairs says the permit should take 30 days for you to have an outcome.
As you have already submitted your application and are just waiting an outcome they won't make you leave the country. If you do need to leave the country, be sure to visit Home Affairs and pick up a document to prove you have a pending application. This could potentially stop questions at the airport.
I am sorry my answer couldn't be more definate but the situation with Home Affairs is continuosly changing.
Fingers crossed your corporate permit will come through soon.
Good luck.
Shantalie
How do I cancel a life partner permit that my Ex applied for when we where still together? I am South African and he’s Nigerian, we have broken up and are no longer staying together so I want to know how I can cancel the Life Partner VISA that he got while we were together.