Cohabitation Agreement for Life Partner Visa Applications
Notarial agreements compliant with Section 11(6) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.
What is a Life Partner Visa?
A life partner visa (also referred to as a spousal visa for unmarried partners) allows a foreign national in a permanent relationship with a South African citizen or permanent resident to live and work in South Africa.
The visa is issued under Section 11(6) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, read with Regulation 4 of the Immigration Regulations.
The Department of Home Affairs requires a notarial cohabitation agreement as part of the application. A private or unnotarised agreement will not be accepted.
This visa applies equally to same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
What the Department of Home Affairs Requires
In addition to the standard visa application documents, the Department of Home Affairs typically requires the following to support a life partner visa application:
Notarial Cohabitation Agreement
A cohabitation or life partnership agreement signed before a Notary Public and issued with a Protocol Number. This is the document we prepare for you.
Proof of Relationship
- Evidence of at least two years’ exclusive cohabitation
- Shared financial responsibility — joint bank accounts, shared lease agreements, joint utility accounts
- Affidavits from both partners confirming the relationship
- Letters of support from family members, friends, or colleagues
- Photographs together over the course of the relationship
Standard Documents
- Valid passport (foreign national) and certified copy of SA ID (South African partner)
- Police clearance certificates (from every country the applicant has resided in for 12+ months)
- Medical and radiological reports
- Proof of financial means or financial undertaking by the South African partner
- Divorce decree (if either partner was previously married)
Please note: We draft and notarise the cohabitation agreement. We do not handle the visa application itself. You will need to submit the application to the Department of Home Affairs or engage an immigration practitioner to do so on your behalf.
What We Provide
Our R1,700 all-inclusive service covers:
- Consultation — We discuss your circumstances and what the agreement should cover
- Professional drafting — A tailored notarial cohabitation agreement that meets the Department of Home Affairs requirements
- Legal explanation — We explain the agreement to both partners in full before signing
- Notarial attestation — Both partners sign before our Notary Public
- Certified ID/passport copies — Prepared as part of the process
- Protocol Number — Your agreement is bound into the notarial protocol and issued with a unique reference number
- Duplicate original — Filed in our records for safekeeping
Important Information
Both Partners Must Appear in Person
Both the South African partner and the foreign national partner must appear in person before our Notary Public at our Pretoria office to sign the agreement. This is a legal requirement — the notary must verify both parties’ identities and ensure both understand and agree to the terms.
Documents to Bring
- South African partner: Original South African ID document (green barcoded ID book or smart ID card)
- Foreign national partner: Valid passport
- If previously married: Divorce decree or death certificate of former spouse
Turnaround Time
We typically draft the agreement within 2–3 business days after receiving your completed application. Signing can be arranged at a time that suits both partners.
The Agreement Alone is Not Enough
The notarial cohabitation agreement is one component of a life partner visa application. You will still need to compile the full application pack with supporting documents as required by the Department of Home Affairs.
Need a Cohabitation Agreement for a Visa Application?
R1,700 all-inclusive. Drafted, explained, and notarially certified — ready for submission to Home Affairs.
Apply Online — It Takes 10 Minutes
Or call us: 087 001 0733 | 073 686 9078