Prospective immigrants who are lawfully residing in Sweden, Latvia or Lithuania may contact our office with regard to all matters relating to an application for a permanent residence permit for the Republic of South Africa, including requesting application forms:

Consular Section
Embassy of the Republic of South Africa

Alsnögatan 7, 6tr
116 41 Stockholm

Phone: +46-(0)8-660 76 93 (Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri: 09:00-12:30)

Email: embassy.stockholm@dirco.gov.za (To request checklist to apply, with current application fee and application forms)

Applicants, who wish to submit a complete application for permanent residence permits are requested to contact our office to arrange an appointment for this purpose. The application will be inspected and only in cases where there are no outstanding documents, will a personal interview, as stipulated by the Immigration Act, be granted to the applicants.

Application fee

The prescribed fee in respect of a formal application for a permanent residence permit per individual.

Please note that the application fee is non-refundable irrespective of whether the application is refused or withdrawn by the applicant.

Processing time

After the compulsory interview, applications for permanent residence permits are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in the Republic of South Africa, where they will be finalised. Normally the processing time is 12-18 months, however due to the current backlog, the processing period of an application for permanent residence permits may take up to five (5) years from the date of referral from our office. Applicants who wish to await the outcome of their application for permanent residence permits may contact our office with regard to applying for a relevant temporary residence permit.

Issuance and validity of a Permanent Residence Permit

Permanent residence permits are issued by the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs in the Republic of South Africa. In the case of applicants who are still residing in Sweden or Latvia, certificates of arrival that authorise the applicant(s) to enter the Republic of South Africa for the purpose of permanent settlement, will be issued and forwarded to the applicants via the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Stockholm. Please note that unless the applicant(s) enter(s) the Republic of South Africa for the purpose of permanent settlement within twelve (12) months after its date of issue, the permanent residence permit(s) shall lapse. After entering the Republic of South Africa for the purpose of permanent settlement, the applicant must report within seven (7) days to the Department of Home Affairs with his/her certificate of arrival to collect his/her original permanent residence permit and to have his/ her passport endorsed as confirmation of his/ her permanent settlement.