BI-947 Form: South Africa Permanent Residence Application

BI-947 South Africa Permanent Residence Permit - PDF Details

The BI-947 is the official South African application for a permanent residence permit, issued by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Submitting a correctly completed BI-947 is the required first step for any foreign national looking to permanently reside in South Africa.

Who Qualifies for a South African Permanent Residence Permit

The DHA accepts BI-947 applications from qualified individuals across several categories:

• Direct residence - Applicants with a South African spouse or dependent family members, including children under 18
• Business - Entrepreneurs making a qualifying investment in the South African economy
• Retirement - Foreign nationals of retirement age with sufficient financial resources
• Exceptional skills or qualifications - Professionals with recognized qualifications in a field listed by the DHA
• Other legal grounds - Individuals meeting additional legal criteria set by South African law

Required Supporting Documents

When submitting your BI-947 application, please attach the following supporting documents to your completed package:

• Certified copy of a valid passport (all pages)
• Proof of legal status in South Africa and financial means
• Marital status certificate (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or birth certificate)
• Police clearance certificates from every country of residence
• Medical and radiological reports
• Proof of qualifications (required for skills-based applications)
• Completed application fee receipt from the DHA

How to Complete the BI-947

Please follow these steps to complete the process accurately and avoid delays:

1. Download the BI-947 PDF from FormsPal or the DHA website.
2. Fill in your personal details on each page, including full name, date of birth, age, nationality, and marital status.
3. Indicate the qualifying category for your permanent residence permit application.
4. Attach all required supporting documents to your completed BI-947 package.
5. Sign each page in the presence of a South African commissioner of oaths.
6. Submit your completed BI-947 package to your nearest DHA regional office or South African diplomatic mission abroad.

Processing Times and Contact Information

After submitting your application, the DHA reviews your BI-947 and all supporting documents. Processing time for a South African permanent residence permit typically ranges from 12 to 24 months. Please keep a record of your reference number and share this reference with the DHA when following up on your application. Contact the DHA regional office or national helpline to track the progress of your completed BI-947 submission. Permanent residents who need to replace a lost or damaged permit should also use this document to apply.

For information on related South African documents, see the South Africa Permanent Residence Form and the South Africa DHA-84 Form.