SOUTH AFRICA Proof of Residency

[Marais 1]

I am the US petitioner with a temporary residency permit for my living in South Africa.  I need help with suggestions for other proofs of residency in South Africa. 

 

Here's the problem: I have little proof of my residing here.  I have not been able to get a work visa so I can't have a local job (the country already has high unemployment for locals).  I don't have a bank account as we just use my husband's South African bank account here and when we are visiting America we use my USA bank account.  We transfer money in between the two currencies when needed.  I cannot get a local driver's license until I have lived here for 5 years.  We bought a house together with shared funds, but we only have it in his name because we would have had to pay crazy taxes if I, a foreigner, were buying property in SA. 

 

I am not concerned about proving a bona fide marriage, as we can use our wills and proof of sharing money with foreign currency transactions, not to mention the normal proof of communication and life together.  However, any thoughts on proving my South African residency beyond using my residency permit? 

[Jorge V 195]

I think your permit alone might be sufficient evidence. That's how it is in other DCF countries, at least. So if you have a residency permit that was granted more than six months ago then you're likely ok with just that.

 

As far as other evidence, the Johannesburg USCIS office lists the following as possible additional evidence:

 

Quote

• Passport entry stamp
• Residency permit or card
• Utility bills
• Housing lease
• Work contract or other employment documents
• Proof of local registration
• Military orders
• Bank statements
• Proof of school enrollment
• Vehicle registration
• Local driver’s license
• Tax documents
• Passport entry stamps
• Foreign property deeds or registration (although proof of property ownership in itself, may be insufficient if there is no evidence that the petitioner resides at that property)

You should have two of those: 1) Residency permit, and 2) passport entry stamps. 

[Confusedtinybird 41]

16 hours ago, Marais said:

I am the US petitioner with a temporary residency permit for my living in South Africa.  I need help with suggestions for other proofs of residency in South Africa. 

 

Here's the problem: I have little proof of my residing here.  I have not been able to get a work visa so I can't have a local job (the country already has high unemployment for locals).  I don't have a bank account as we just use my husband's South African bank account here and when we are visiting America we use my USA bank account.  We transfer money in between the two currencies when needed.  I cannot get a local driver's license until I have lived here for 5 years.  We bought a house together with shared funds, but we only have it in his name because we would have had to pay crazy taxes if I, a foreigner, were buying property in SA. 

 

I am not concerned about proving a bona fide marriage, as we can use our wills and proof of sharing money with foreign currency transactions, not to mention the normal proof of communication and life together.  However, any thoughts on proving my South African residency beyond using my residency permit? 

Hi Marais,

 

I think you should be ok with the proof of residence. If you have a residence permit you should be good. I know I had a copy of residence permit that I submitted.

 

Some other things I used:

I used my car insurance from South Africa.

You can open up a bank account in South Africa.

I had copies of letters addressed to me.

I copies of some bills that I used.

I used my passport stamps.

 

 

[Megan and Ehan 7]

Hi Marais, 

Take a picture of your passport stamp entry. That really should be enough but as the people above me with great examples said anything in your name take a picture of and have on hand. Also your bank statements, show that you're transferring money over from yours to his and your bank account back home will so no activity so that'll point to you being in SA too. This is all assuming you have access to a camera but if you really want to get wild take a daily picture in front of a well know SA sign/piece of land/monument oh and with your hubby, I mean it isn't practical but if you're worried it'll provide them with beyond a shadow of a doubt proof. Hope it all works out! :))

Best, 

Megan

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

1 hour ago, Megan and Ehan said:

a well know SA sign/piece of land/monument oh and with your hubby, I mean it isn't practical but if you're worried it'll provide them with beyond a shadow of a doubt proof. Hope it all works out! :))

Best, 

Megan

If you’re gonna do that easier with a daily newspaper??

[Megan and Ehan 7]

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

If you’re gonna do that easier with a daily newspaper??

Good idea Susie Q, where I was staying we didn't have access to the newspaper so I never thought of it, good thinking.