What Home Affairs Requires for a Life Partner Visa
A complete checklist so you know exactly what to prepare.
Life Partner Visa — Section 11(6)
A life partner visa allows a foreign national in a permanent relationship with a South African citizen or permanent resident to live and work in South Africa.
The visa is issued under Section 11(6) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, read with Regulation 4 of the Immigration Regulations.
It applies equally to same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
Below is a checklist of what the Department of Home Affairs typically requires. Requirements may vary by office — confirm with your local DHA office or immigration practitioner.
1. Notarial Life Partnership Agreement
A life partnership agreement signed before a Notary Public and issued with a Protocol Number.
This is the document we prepare for you.
The agreement must be:
- Notarially executed — signed before a Notary Public (not just commissioned)
- Bound into the notarial protocol — the official register of notarial acts
- Issued with a protocol number — a unique reference for the public record
A private agreement will not be accepted
The Department of Home Affairs will not accept a private agreement, an agreement witnessed by a commissioner of oaths, or an affidavit. It must be a notarial agreement with a protocol number.
2. Proof of Relationship
You will need to demonstrate that your relationship is genuine, exclusive, and has existed for at least two years. Evidence typically includes:
- Affidavits from both partners confirming the relationship — its duration, nature, and exclusivity
- Letters of support from family members, friends, or colleagues who know you as a couple
- Photographs together over the course of the relationship
- Communication records — WhatsApp messages, call logs, emails (especially for periods spent apart)
- Shared financial responsibility — joint bank accounts, shared lease agreements, joint utility accounts, proof of shared expenses
- Proof of cohabitation — lease agreements, utility bills, or correspondence addressed to both partners at the same address
- Travel records — flight bookings, passport stamps, or visa records showing visits to each other
Tip: The more evidence you provide, the stronger your application. DHA officials review these documents carefully. Start collecting evidence well before you apply.
3. Standard Visa Application Documents
Foreign National (Applicant)
- Valid passport (with at least two blank pages)
- Police clearance certificates — from every country the applicant has resided in for 12 months or more since the age of 18
- Medical report — completed by a registered medical practitioner
- Radiological report — chest X-ray for tuberculosis screening
- Yellow fever certificate — if travelling from or through a yellow fever zone
- Proof of financial means — bank statements, employment letter, or financial undertaking by the South African partner
South African Partner (Sponsor)
- Certified copy of SA ID document (green barcoded ID book or smart ID card)
- Proof of South African citizenship or permanent residence
- Financial undertaking letter — confirming you will support your partner financially during their stay (if applicable)
- Proof of income — recent payslips, tax returns, or bank statements
If Previously Married (Either Partner)
- Divorce decree — certified copy of the final order of divorce
- Death certificate — if a previous spouse is deceased
4. DHA Application Forms
- DHA-1738 — Application for a visa
- DHA-1738(A) — Sponsor undertaking (completed by the South African partner)
These forms are available from your nearest DHA office or VFS Global centre. Your immigration practitioner can also provide them.
Where to Submit Your Application
- From within South Africa: Apply at your nearest Department of Home Affairs office
- From outside South Africa: Apply at the nearest South African embassy, consulate, or VFS Global centre
We do not handle the visa application. We draft and notarise the life partnership agreement. For the visa application itself, submit directly to DHA or engage a registered immigration practitioner.
What We Do
Our role is to prepare one critical component of your application — the notarial life partnership agreement.
For R1,700 all-inclusive, you get:
- Consultation and professional drafting by an experienced attorney
- Notarial attestation — both partners sign before our Notary Public
- Protocol number issued
- Certified copies of both partners’ ID/passport
- Duplicate original filed for safekeeping
- Turnaround: 2–3 business days for drafting
Ready to Get Your Agreement?
One less thing to worry about in your visa application. R1,700 all-inclusive.
Or call us: 087 001 0733 | 073 686 9078