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Answers to your questions

Have a question you would like answered? Email us and we may answer it. The questions here are based on ones from our readers, with identifying information removed.

Please note: GroundUp is just a news agency. We are not lawyers or financial advisors, and we have nothing to do with SASSA, Home Affairs, or any other government bodies. We do our best to make the answers accurate using publicly available information, but we cannot accept any legal liability if there are errors. If you notice any discrepancies, please email [email protected].

Topic: Immigration  |  Show questions and answers for all topics

How can I get a South African ID so that I can further my studies?

If either of your parents has permanent residency in South Africa, you would qualify to apply for permanent residence too. Then after five years, you could apply for citizenship by naturalisation.

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Should I wait for the spousal permit to be extended before informing Home Affairs that we are divorced?

The court ordered that a foreign ex-spouse should be allowed to live and work in the country to discharge parental duties.

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What do I do about Home Affairs not responding to my applications for an accompanying visa?

You'll need to get help from an organisation with experience in dealing with Home Affairs.

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Does my family need to have temporary visas first or can they just apply for permanent residency at the same time as me?

To be on the safe side, perhaps it would be wise to apply for temporary visas for the family, as well as permanent residence for the whole family, you included.

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Can ZEP holders still meet FICA requirements since the permit was scrapped?

Yes, the court ruled that the ZEP was to be deemed still valid until June 2024.

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Can I use a DNA test to prove that I am the child of a South African citizen and use the results to get citizenship?

Yes, a sibling DNA test can indeed establish whether half-siblings share a biological father.

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Can I use my late father’s documents to apply for a study permit in South Africa? He was Zimbabwean but had a non-citizen SA ID.

Your father's permanent residence in South Africa does not give you access to study in South Africa.

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How do I renew my asylum seeker’s permit?

You can email the RRO where you got your most recent extension to make an appointment or try to renew it online.

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What can I do if SARS keeps declining my tax directive application to access my provident fund? My Malawian passport expired and I lost my job six months ago.

If your tax directive application is declined, it may be due to incorrect data captured

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What should I do if my passport is on the V-list?

You can contact Home Affairs to appeal your status as a "prohibited person".

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