A Western Cape High Court ruling has set a precedent for spousal visa applications from within the country. The judgment saw Zimbabwean national, Lea Stewart, granted a spousal visa, after her initial application was rejected by the Department of Home Affairs.
Clashing with the latest ammendment
The basis for the initial rejection stemmed from amendments made to the Immigration Act in 2014, which came into effect two weeks after her entering South Africa, and prohibited a change of visitor’s visa conditions from within the country.
In addition to being granted the spousal visa, the High Court also requested that Stewart be allowed to apply for permanent residence within three months, and that all legal costs incurred by her family were to be paid by the Department of Home Affairs.
What this means for foreigners
Ostensibly, the ruling could mean that any foreigner entering South Africa on a port of entry visitor’s visa could go on to apply for spousal visa without returning home. However, the impact of the judgment on future applications remains to be seen, and it would premature to advise that applicants try the aforementioned approach until such a time where it has been acknowledged to be permissible by the Department of Home Affairs.
Contact SAvisas.com should you require additional information on applying for a South African spousal visa.
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