Immigration Law Terms

Asylum seeker permit

A document issued in the asylum process that records a person's temporary status while an asylum claim is being processed.

Critical skills visa

A South African work visa route for people whose qualifications or occupation fall within the recognised critical-skills framework.

Deportation

A legal process through which a foreign national may be required to leave South Africa because of immigration-status or enforcement issues.

General work visa

A South African temporary residence work visa route linked to employment where the applicant does not rely on the critical-skills or intra-company transfer categories.

Immigration Lawyer

Immigration Lawyer describes legal help linked to immigration law, including matters such as visas, permits, and residence applications.

Overstay

Remaining in South Africa after the authorised visa, permit, or status period has expired.

Permanent residence permit

A Home Affairs status allowing a qualifying foreign national to reside in South Africa permanently, subject to the relevant legal category and conditions.

Refugee status

A protection status granted through the refugee process where the legal requirements for recognition as a refugee are met.

Relative visa

A South African temporary residence visa route for a qualifying foreign national who is an immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent resident.

Temporary residence visa

A visa allowing a foreign national to stay in South Africa temporarily for a recognised purpose, subject to category conditions and expiry dates.

Visa

Official permission linked to a foreign national's entry, stay, or activity in South Africa, subject to the category, conditions, and expiry date.

Visa appeal

A challenge or response process after a visa, permit, status, or related Home Affairs decision is refused, withdrawn, delayed, or negatively decided.

Core definitions

Core terms in this track

Relative visa

A South African temporary residence visa route for a qualifying foreign national who is an immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent resident.

Asylum seeker permit

A document issued in the asylum process that records a person's temporary status while an asylum claim is being processed.

Critical skills visa

A South African work visa route for people whose qualifications or occupation fall within the recognised critical-skills framework.

Deportation

A legal process through which a foreign national may be required to leave South Africa because of immigration-status or enforcement issues.

General work visa

A South African temporary residence work visa route linked to employment where the applicant does not rely on the critical-skills or intra-company transfer categories.

Overstay

Remaining in South Africa after the authorised visa, permit, or status period has expired.

Permanent residence permit

A Home Affairs status allowing a qualifying foreign national to reside in South Africa permanently, subject to the relevant legal category and conditions.

Refugee status

A protection status granted through the refugee process where the legal requirements for recognition as a refugee are met.

Temporary residence visa

A visa allowing a foreign national to stay in South Africa temporarily for a recognised purpose, subject to category conditions and expiry dates.

Visa

Official permission linked to a foreign national's entry, stay, or activity in South Africa, subject to the category, conditions, and expiry date.

Visa appeal

A challenge or response process after a visa, permit, status, or related Home Affairs decision is refused, withdrawn, delayed, or negatively decided.

Immigration Lawyer

Immigration Lawyer describes legal help linked to immigration law, including matters such as visas, permits, and residence applications.

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Relative visa

A South African temporary residence visa route for a qualifying foreign national who is an immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent resident.

Asylum seeker permit

A document issued in the asylum process that records a person's temporary status while an asylum claim is being processed.

Critical skills visa

A South African work visa route for people whose qualifications or occupation fall within the recognised critical-skills framework.

Deportation

A legal process through which a foreign national may be required to leave South Africa because of immigration-status or enforcement issues.

General work visa

A South African temporary residence work visa route linked to employment where the applicant does not rely on the critical-skills or intra-company transfer categories.

Overstay

Remaining in South Africa after the authorised visa, permit, or status period has expired.

Permanent residence permit

A Home Affairs status allowing a qualifying foreign national to reside in South Africa permanently, subject to the relevant legal category and conditions.

Refugee status

A protection status granted through the refugee process where the legal requirements for recognition as a refugee are met.

Temporary residence visa

A visa allowing a foreign national to stay in South Africa temporarily for a recognised purpose, subject to category conditions and expiry dates.

Visa

Official permission linked to a foreign national's entry, stay, or activity in South Africa, subject to the category, conditions, and expiry date.

Visa appeal

A challenge or response process after a visa, permit, status, or related Home Affairs decision is refused, withdrawn, delayed, or negatively decided.

Immigration Law Evidence Pack

Immigration Lawyer

Immigration Lawyer describes legal help linked to immigration law, including matters such as visas, permits, and residence applications.

Related resources

Resources connected to this track

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Client Document Pack

Critical Skills Visa Document Pack

Prepare a immigration law document pack by organising identity, authority, core matter records, official records, correspondence, financial records, deadline notes, and fee questions.

Permanent Residence Delay Evidence Pack

Prepare a immigration law evidence pack by organising the timeline, parties, documents, correspondence, official records, proof gaps, deadline risks, and consultation questions before speaking to a lawyer.

Immigration Lawyer Guide Resource

Prepare for an immigration-law consultation by organising visa type, Home Affairs records, refusal or delay notices, identity documents, deadlines, and appeal or review questions.

Immigration Law Lawyer Guide Resource

Prepare for immigration-law advice by organising status, visa type, Home Affairs records, refusal or delay notices, expiry dates, and appeal or review questions.

Immigration Lawyer Cape Town Discovery Resource

Compare Cape Town immigration-law help by visa or permit issue, urgency, Home Affairs records, document gaps, consultation process, and fee clarity.

Cape Town Immigration Lawyer Discovery Resource

Compare Cape Town immigration-law help by status issue, Home Affairs records, urgency, document gaps, consultation process, fee clarity, and next-step fit.