What Is a Spousal Visa? (2026 Guide)
A spousal visa allows foreign nationals who are married to South African citizens or permanent residents to join their spouse in South Africa. Understanding what a spousal visa is, its requirements, and application process helps you determine if you qualify and how to apply. This comprehensive 2026 guide covers everything you need to know about spousal visas in South Africa.
What Is a Spousal Visa?
Definition
Spousal Visa:
- Allows spouse to join partner in South Africa
- For married couples
- One spouse must be SA citizen or permanent resident
- Temporary residence visa
- Can lead to permanent residence
Purpose:
- Family reunification
- Spousal unity
- Marriage support
- Long-term family stay
- Path to permanent residence
Who Can Apply
Eligibility:
- Married to SA citizen: Or permanent resident
- Genuine marriage: Must prove genuine relationship
- Both spouses: Must be legally married
- Marriage recognized: In South Africa
- Meet requirements: As specified
Sponsor Requirements:
- 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
Requirements
Essential Documents
Required Documents:
- Valid Passport: Minimum 6 months validity, 2 blank pages
- Marriage Certificate: Official marriage certificate
- Completed Application Form: BI-1739 form (spousal visa)
- Two Passport Photos: Recent photos meeting requirements
- Proof of Genuine Marriage: Evidence of relationship
- Sponsor Documents: Spouse'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):
- Divorce Decree: If previously married
- Name Change Documents: If name changed
- Other Documentation: As required
Proof of Genuine Marriage
Marriage Evidence:
- Marriage Certificate: Official certificate
- Photos Together: Relationship photos
- Joint Financial Documents: Bank accounts, bills
- Communication Records: Emails, messages, calls
- Travel Together: Travel records
- Cohabitation Proof: If living together
- Relationship History: Timeline of relationship
- Other Evidence: As available
Genuine Relationship:
- Ongoing relationship: Must be genuine
- Marriage not for visa: Must be real marriage
- Evidence required: Strong evidence needed
- Home Affairs verification: May verify relationship
- Compliance: Must maintain relationship
Sponsor Requirements
Sponsor Must Provide:
- 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 spouse will stay
- Employment Proof: If employed
Financial Undertaking:
- 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 spouse
- No burden on state: Must not rely on state support
Financial Threshold:
- Varies by circumstances
- Generally R8,500+ per month (check current)
- Must cover spouse's needs
- Accommodation, food, medical
- Other living expenses
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 marriage certificate
- Gather proof of genuine marriage
- Get medical certificate
- Obtain police clearance
- Get medical insurance
- Complete application form
- Get passport photos
Document Checklist:
- ✓ Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓ Marriage certificate
- ✓ Completed application form (BI-1739)
- ✓ Two passport photos
- ✓ Proof of genuine marriage
- ✓ 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 (spousal visa application)
- Completion: Fill all sections accurately
- Information: Must match passport and documents
- Marriage Details: Accurate marriage information
- Sponsor Information: Complete sponsor details
- Signature: Must be signed
- Date: Must be dated
Form Sections:
- Personal information
- Passport details
- Marriage information
- Sponsor details
- Financial information
- Accommodation details
- Medical information
- Declaration and signature
Step 4: Pay Application Fee
Spousal 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 marriage: Must maintain marriage
- Tied to sponsor: Dependent on sponsor
- Check expiry date: Regularly
Renewal Process:
- Apply before expiry
- Provide updated documents
- Updated financial undertaking
- Proof of continuing marriage
- Updated financial proof
- Medical insurance renewal
- Pay renewal fees
Work Rights
Work Rights:
- Can work: Spousal visas allow work
- No restrictions: Full work rights
- Any employer: Can work for any employer
- No work permit needed: Work rights included
- Full employment: Rights and privileges
Relationship Maintenance
Must Maintain:
- Genuine marriage: With spouse
- Marital relationship: Must continue
- Sponsor support: Must continue
- Compliance: With visa conditions
- Regular contact: With spouse
Marriage Breakdown:
- If marriage ends: Visa may be cancelled
- Divorce: May affect visa status
- Notify Home Affairs: Of changes
- May need different visa: If circumstances change
- Follow procedures: As required
Path to Permanent Residence
Permanent Residence Eligibility
After 5 Years:
- 5 years marriage: To SA citizen/permanent resident
- Continuous residence: On spousal visa
- Genuine marriage: Must maintain
- Meet requirements: For permanent residence
- Can apply: For permanent residence
Permanent Residence:
- After qualifying period: 5 years
- Full rights: Work, study, live
- No visa renewals: Needed
- Path to citizenship: After additional period
- Long-term security: Permanent stay
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a spousal visa?
A spousal visa allows foreign nationals who are married to South African citizens or permanent residents to join their spouse in South Africa. It's a temporary residence visa that allows you to live, work, and study in South Africa and can lead to permanent residence after 5 years.
Who can apply for a spousal visa?
You can apply for a spousal visa if you're married to a South African citizen or permanent resident. You must provide proof of genuine marriage, and your spouse must be willing and able to financially support you and provide a financial undertaking.
What documents do I need for a spousal visa?
You need a valid passport (6+ months validity), marriage certificate, completed application form (BI-1739), two passport photos, proof of genuine marriage (photos, joint documents, communication records), sponsor's ID and proof of status, financial undertaking (form BI-1739), sponsor's financial proof, medical insurance, medical certificate, police clearance (if 18+), accommodation proof, and payment of the R425 application fee.
How much does a spousal visa cost?
A spousal 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 spousal visa?
Spousal visa processing typically takes 8-12 weeks from application submission, though this varies by country, circumstances, and application completeness. Complex cases or additional verification may take longer.
Can I work on a spousal visa?
Yes, spousal visas allow you to work in South Africa without restrictions. You don't need a separate work permit and can work for any employer. This is one of the benefits of a spousal visa.
How long is a spousal visa valid?
A spousal visa is typically valid for up to 2 years initially and can be renewed if you continue to meet requirements. The visa is tied to your marriage and your spouse's financial undertaking, so you must maintain both to keep the visa valid.
Can I extend my spousal visa?
Yes, you can extend your spousal 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 marriage, updated financial proof, renewed medical insurance), and pay extension fees.
What if my marriage ends while on a spousal visa?
If your marriage ends (divorce), your spousal visa may be cancelled as it's tied to the marriage. You may need to apply for a different visa type or leave South Africa. Notify Home Affairs of changes in your circumstances and follow proper procedures.
Can a spousal visa lead to permanent residence?
Yes, after 5 years of continuous residence and marriage to a South African citizen or permanent resident, you may qualify for permanent residence if you meet the requirements. The spousal visa provides a clear path to permanent residence for qualifying applicants.
Conclusion
A spousal visa allows foreign nationals married to South African citizens or permanent residents to join their spouse in South Africa. Requirements include a valid passport, marriage certificate, proof of genuine marriage, 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 visa is valid for up to 2 years (renewable), allows full work rights, and can lead to permanent residence after 5 years of continuous marriage and residence. The visa is tied to the marriage and sponsor's financial undertaking, so both must be maintained. Plan ahead, gather all required documents, and ensure your spouse 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.
Related Articles:
Official Resources:
