Few things are more important than family. Whether you’re married to a foreign national, living abroad while your partner or child is still in South Africa, or seeking to join a spouse or parent overseas, Visaline.co.za is here to help you navigate the complex world of spousal and family reunification visas.
Important notice regarding long-stay visas
Please note that Visaline.co.za does not offer assistance with long-stay visa applications. While we provide clear, up-to-date information about the processes and requirements for long-stay visas, we do not provide application services, document preparation, or submission assistance for these visa types.
Our hands-on visa support is currently limited to short-stay visas only. For long-stay visa applications, we recommend contacting the relevant embassies, consulates, or authorised visa service providers directly.
What is a family reunification visa?
A family reunification visa (also called a spousal, partner, dependent, or family visa, depending on the country) allows South African citizens to live with a close family member who is legally residing abroad, typically on a long-term or permanent basis.
These visas are available to:
- Spouses or registered partners
- Fiancés in some cases
- Dependent children or stepchildren
- Parents of minor children (in select countries)
- In limited cases, extended family members (such as siblings or grandparents)
Who can apply?
Eligibility criteria vary by destination, but in most countries, you may apply for a family reunification visa if:
- You’re legally married or in a recognised long-term relationship with a resident or citizen of the destination country
- You are the minor child of a legal resident or citizen
- You can prove genuine, ongoing family ties
- You meet minimum income, accommodation, and language criteria (in some countries)
Let us help you evaluate whether you qualify and guide you through the paperwork.
Popular destinations we assist with
At Visaline.co.za, we assist South Africans applying for spousal and family reunification visas in:
- United Kingdom – Spouse Visa / Family Reunion Visa / Dependent Child Visa
- Germany – Family Reunification Visa under § 27 ff AufenthG
- Netherlands – MVV and residence permits for family reunification
- Canada – Spousal Sponsorship or Dependent Visa
- Australia – Partner Visas (subclass 309/100 or 820/801) and Child Visas
- New Zealand – Partnership and Dependent Child Visas
- Ireland – Join Family Visa (based on stamp categories)
- United States – CR1/IR1 Spouse Visa or K-1 Fiancé Visa
- Portugal – Family Reunification Residence Permit
Each country has its own approach, some are easier than others. We’ll help you make sense of it all.
What documents do I need?
Common requirements include:
- Valid passports for all applicants
- Marriage certificate or civil union certificate
- Proof of relationship (photos, messages, joint bills, etc.)
- Birth certificates for dependent children
- Proof of sponsor’s legal residence or citizenship abroad
- Sponsor’s financial evidence (e.g. salary, job contract)
- Suitable accommodation abroad
- Completed application forms and visa fees
- Travel and health insurance
- Police clearance and medical certificates
We’ll help you organise and prepare a strong application file that meets your destination’s exact requirements.
Can my spouse or child work or study?
In many cases, yes. Family reunification visas often come with full or limited rights to:
- Work (especially for spouses and older dependents)
- Study (especially for school-age children and adult learners)
- Access local healthcare and social services
We’ll help you understand what rights are granted in your specific visa category and country.
How long does it take?
Processing times vary widely, from a few weeks to several months, depending on:
- The destination country
- The visa type
- Embassy backlogs and appointment availability
- Completeness of your application
We always recommend applying early, especially before life milestones like school enrollment, weddings, or major holidays.
How Visaline.co.za supports your family journey
We know that reuniting families isn’t just about paperwork, it’s personal. That’s why we provide dedicated, compassionate help every step of the way. Our services include:
- Eligibility assessments
- Document preparation and legalisation
- Help with relationship proofs
- Application review and submission
- Support with biometric appointments and embassy procedures
- Interview preparation (if required)
- Post-approval guidance
Whether you’re applying for the first time or reuniting after time apart, we’ll be your visa partner from start to finish.
Reunite with those who matter most
Family separation is hard, but the visa process doesn’t have to be. With expert help from Visaline.co.za, you can fast-track your way to being with your loved ones again.
Book your consultation today and let us help bring your family back together, wherever they are in the world.
