This type of South African relationship or life companion permit is available to individuals in legally recognized relationships and can be applied for as either a temporary residence permit or a permanent residence permit, depending on the length of the union or relationshipship in question.

Foreign nationals who are relationships of South African citizens or permanent residents may apply for permanent residence. To qualify, the relationship must have existed for more than five years.

As a country that acknowledges diverse relationshipships and grants them the same legal recognition, South Africa issues relationship permits to individuals in all legally recognized relationships.

The relationship permit falls under the relatives' visa category and is renewable. The visa is typically issued for 36 months at a time but cannot exceed the validity period of the passport. It is a temporary residency visa available to foreign nationals who can demonstrate a committed relationship with a South African citizen or permanent resident holder. The couple must provide proof of a relationship longer than two years.

If you intend to study or work while in South Africa, you must apply for the necessary rights to be added to your visa. Individuals on a relationship permit may request either study, business, or work rights, but not all three. This means that if a work authorization is granted, you may only be employed by an approved employer.

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South Africa’s Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides financial assistance to citizens and qualifying residents through various grant programs. These include child support grants, disability grants, old age pensions, and more. But a common question that arises especially among migrants is: Can Zimbabwean immigrants avail SASSA grants?

This article aims to provide a clear, updated, and SEO-friendly explanation of whether Zimbabwean nationals living in South Africa are eligible for SASSA grants, what types of permits are required, and what alternatives are available for those who are not eligible.

What Is SASSA?

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is responsible for distributing social grants to help vulnerable individuals and families meet their basic needs. Grants include:

Child Support Grant

• Old Age Grant

• Disability Grant

• Care Dependency Grant

• Foster Child Grant

• Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant

These grants are primarily meant for South African citizens, but certain categories of non-citizens may also qualify.

Can Zimbabwean Immigrants Qualify for SASSA Grants?

The short answer is: Not all Zimbabwean immigrants are eligible for SASSA grants, but some may qualify under specific conditions. You can also Check Sassa Status for eligibility.

1. Citizenship and Residency Requirements

To qualify for most SASSA grants, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee with legal status.

• Reside in South Africa.

• Pass a means test to assess income and financial need.

2. What About Zimbabweans with Legal Permits?

Zimbabwean immigrants in South Africa fall into different legal categories. Here’s how that affects their SASSA eligibility:

Zimbabwean Refugees

Zimbabweans who have been granted refugee status (under Section 24 of the Refugees Act) are eligible for most SASSA grants. Refugees are treated the same as citizens under South African law for social security purposes.

Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) Holders

ZEP holders are not eligible for SASSA grants. This is because the ZEP is a special temporary permit that does not confer permanent residency or refugee status.

Even if a ZEP holder lives and works in South Africa legally, they do not meet the criteria for social grants.

Asylum Seekers

Asylum seekers holding Section 22 permits are also not eligible for most SASSA grants. This is because their status is temporary, and their applications for refugee status are still being processed.

Permanent Residents

If a Zimbabwean has been granted permanent residency, they become eligible to apply for SASSA grants, just like South African citizens. However, permanent residency is a long and complex process.

SASSA Grants Zimbabweans May Qualify For

Here are some grants that Zimbabwean immigrants may access under certain conditions:

1. Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SRD grant (R350 grant) was introduced. Initially, it was only for South African citizens, but later expanded to include refugees and asylum seekers with valid documentation from Home Affairs.

While this grant was temporary, the SRD R370 grant has replaced it. As of 2024, it is still limited to:

• South African citizens

• Permanent residents

• Recognized refugees

• Asylum seekers with valid Section 22 permits (in some cases)

2. Child Support Grant (Only for Refugees or Permanent Residents)

Zimbabwean refugees or permanent residents with children may apply for the Child Support Grant, provided:

• The child is under 18.

• The caregiver resides in South Africa legally.

• The household meets the income threshold.

Required Documents to Apply for SASSA

If a Zimbabwean refugee or permanent resident wants to apply for a SASSA grant, they will need:

• A valid 13-digit refugee ID or permanent resident ID.

• Proof of residence in South Africa.

• Proof of income (for means-tested grants).

• Medical assessment (for disability-related grants).

• Birth certificates of children (for child-related grants).

Common Misconceptions

1. All immigrants can get SASSA grants.

Only recognized refugees and permanent residents can receive grants—not all immigrants.

2. ZEP is the same as permanent residency.

The ZEP (Zimbabwean Exemption Permit) is not equivalent to permanent residency and does not make the holder eligible for SASSA grants.

What Alternatives Do ZEP Holders Have?

Since Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders are not eligible for SASSA grants, here are a few alternatives:

1. NGO Assistance

Organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Scalabrini Centre, and Gift of the Givers provide food, housing, and basic needs support to migrants in need.

2. Employment Support

ZEP holders are legally allowed to work in South Africa. Seeking employment or freelance opportunities can help sustain financial needs.

3. Community-Based Support

Some Zimbabwean community associations and churches in South Africa provide assistance to struggling families.

FAQs

Can Zimbabweans with work permits get SASSA grants?

No. Work permits, including the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), do not qualify you for SASSA grants.

Can Zimbabwean children born in South Africa get SASSA?

Only if they are South African citizens or refugees. Children born to ZEP holders are not automatically granted citizenship.

Can asylum seekers from Zimbabwe apply for the R370 grant?

Only under special temporary rulings. Most are not eligible unless otherwise stated by SASSA or government policy.

Final Thoughts

While Zimbabwean immigrants contribute significantly to South African society, their eligibility for SASSA grants is limited. Only those with refugee status or permanent residency may legally access these social welfare benefits. ZEP holders and asylum seekers remain excluded, though they may access help through NGOs and community support networks.

If you’re unsure about your status or rights, consult with legal aid organizations or visit your local SASSA office for accurate guidance.

The home affairs department was not deporting people following xenophobic attacks on foreigners, it said on

"Home affairs is not deporting anyone. We will assist those who voluntarily want to go home with their paperwork," said home affairs spokesperson Mansele Tau.
Asked whether the department had seen an increase in those who wanted to leave, Tau said: "No, not a lot."

Tau said reports that people were being deported to their countries as a result of the xenophobic attacks were untrue.
Home affairs was only verifying documentation. Victims of xenophobia who wanted to leave were making arrangements on their own. - Sapa

What are the key services a Visa Consultant Provide?

SA Migration - Immigration Consultants

Why would I hire an Immigration consultant to apply for a Visa? This was the question in the mind of Tanuj, when he was planning to apply for a South African PR visa for the very first time. In fact, this is the question that comes in the mind of every Visa applicant when he goes on to apply for a foreign visa. Well, let’s first find out what happened to Tanuj?
Tanuj had heard a lot about a few consultants involved in wrong practices and making money out of the immigration applicants by misguiding them. So, he decided to apply himself, despite having very little knowledge about visa process of South Africa. Unfortunately, he failed to register properly on the online immigration system of South Africa and also got stuck with the procedural guidelines. Now, finally he decided to contact a consultant for immigration to South Africa and begun the process again. Luckily, this time round he got successful and received an invite from authorities to apply for visa. what Tanuj said...?
If I had gone with SA Migration the first time I would have saved myself so much heart ache , cost , disappoint – They know their subject – I can highly recommend them
Can you apply for a Visa without immigration Consultant?
This might have happened so many times around you. A person applies for the visa himself, gets it wrong, and finally opts to hire a consultant. It’s not that you can’t apply without the help of a consultant however, it depends on the individuals, i.e. how knowledgeable or well versed you are with immigration procedure of the country you are applying to.
If you are confident and informed enough about visa procedure and immigration guidelines, you can apply on your own and secure your visa too. On the other end, if you are not sure about immigration procedure, it is strictly advised not to go for it on your own and take service from a genuine and registered immigration consultant. Immigration to any country involves several procedural things and legal terms, which if you misinterpret, can result in the unwanted delay or denial of your visa.
What are the Services an immigration Consultant offer?
It’s crucial to understand here that not every immigration consultant is fraudulent. There are consultants who are genuine and offer the quality immigration services as well to ensure that you get timely visa approval. Hence, it all depends how you choose a visa consultant to apply for immigration to another country. Always select a registered immigration consultant that offers all the key immigration services. Below are the key services an immigration consultant usually offers:
• Pre-Assessment: Reviewing the profile of an applicant and doing thorough assessment to determine his/her eligibility for the given visa category or program.
• Documentation Assistance: Informing the candidates about all the key documents and helping them in obtaining essential certifications (i.e. IELTS Test, skill assessment, ECA through WES, etc.)
• Letter Drafting: Preparing a letter to be written to the authority.
• Visa Application: Filing visa application to the immigration office, and entering all the details with 100% accuracy to avoid any delay and denial.
• Resume Rebuilding: There are a few immigration consultancies which provide the Resume Rebuilding service as well. They assess your resume and upgrade it, keeping in mind the employers and job market of your destined country.
• Refusal Case Analysis and Refiling: Handling the denial cases and filing the visa again with the authorities after efficiently removing the rejection.
How to Choose a Genuine Immigration Consultant?
As already discussed, the first thing you need check is that the immigration consultant you choose is registered with the immigration regulatory body of your destined country. Apart from this it’s also vital to read the testimonials and review about the company from various online and offline sources.
Explore the website of your immigration consultant closely and find out the key details, i.e. accreditation, testimonials, office address, content quality posted on website (i.e. Blogs, articles, news, and immigration procedures, etc.).
To get further assistance in this regard you may write us to our email id- info@samigration.com .com. We at S A Migration are the leading and registered immigration consultancy service in India specialized in South Africa and Australia immigration. You may visit our website, i.e. www.samigration.com for inclusive information with regard to visa and immigration process of South Africa, Australia, USA, UK, New Zealand, Germany, South Africa, Hong Kong, etc
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This type of South African relationship or life companion permit is available to individuals in legally recognized relationships and can be applied for as either a temporary residence permit or a permanent residence permit, depending on the length of the union or relationshipship in question.

Foreign nationals who are relationships of South African citizens or permanent residents may apply for permanent residence. To qualify, the relationship must have existed for more than five years.

As a country that acknowledges diverse relationshipships and grants them the same legal recognition, South Africa issues relationship permits to individuals in all legally recognized relationships.

The relationship permit falls under the relatives' visa category and is renewable. The visa is typically issued for 36 months at a time but cannot exceed the validity period of the passport. It is a temporary residency visa available to foreign nationals who can demonstrate a committed relationship with a South African citizen or permanent resident holder. The couple must provide proof of a relationship longer than two years.

If you intend to study or work while in South Africa, you must apply for the necessary rights to be added to your visa. Individuals on a relationship permit may request either study, business, or work rights, but not all three. This means that if a work authorization is granted, you may only be employed by an approved employer.

Follow Our Page For More Info: https://www.youtube.com/@samigration