What is Section 27 F of the immigration Act?

Asked by: Prof. Taryn Green MD  |  Last update: May 25, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (52 votes)

Section 27(f) of South Africa's Immigration Act allows foreigners to get permanent residency if they are financially independent, meaning they have a significant net worth (around R12 million or more) or stable, lifelong income from pensions/annuities, often with a fee paid to the government, distinct from retirement visas by allowing potential work. This visa grants rights similar to other permanent residency holders, but requires proof of funds and potentially a lump-sum payment, while the spouse and minor children can also qualify.

What is Section 27 of the Immigration Act?

Permanent residence under Section 27(g) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 is available to certain relatives of South African citizens or permanent residents, subject to relationship type and any applicable financial dependency.

What is category F27 on permanent resident card?

F27. Children of alien residents, subject to country limits, adjustments. B22. Children of alien residents, subject to country limits, new arrivals, self petitioning.

What is the new law for immigrants married to citizens in 2025?

In 2025, while no single "new law" overhauled the system, significant policy shifts and proposed legislation, like the Dignity Act of 2025, aimed to address family unity for spouses of U.S. citizens, especially those without status, while USCIS tightened filing rules for forms (separate payments, including medicals), clarified marriage validity (virtual/same-sex), and introduced stricter identity verification for sponsored relatives. The "Keeping Families Together" parole program also offered relief for some undocumented spouses present since mid-2014. 

What are the grounds for SA residency refusal?

You have a warrant of arrest against you or a conviction for genocide, torture, drug trafficking, money laundering, kidnapping, terrorism, or murder secured in South Africa or any country with which South Africa has regular diplomatic relations.

Immigration Act of 1924

35 related questions found

What is the most common reason for visa refusal?

Let's dive into it.

  1. Reason 1: Errors in the Application. One of the primary reasons for travel visa denial are errors in the application. ...
  2. Reason 2: Lack of Sufficient Documentation. ...
  3. Reason 3: Inadequate Interview Performance. ...
  4. Reason 4: Doubts on Intent to Return. ...
  5. Reason 5: Previous Visa Violations.

What is strong evidence for asylum?

Strong evidence for asylum includes official documents (police reports, court records), medical/psychological records, witness statements, photos/videos of harm, news articles, and country conditions reports, all linking past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution to a protected ground (race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group), supported by a clear personal statement explaining the nexus. 

Can an illegal immigrant be deported if married to a U.S. citizen?

The government can deport anyone who is not a US citizen. Marriage to a U.S. citizen does not prevent removal if you violate immigration laws, have deportation orders, or lack legal entry.

What are the red flags for green card marriage?

Red flags for a marriage-based green card signal a potentially fake (sham) marriage, including short courtship/marriage timelines, lack of shared life evidence (no joint finances, living together, photos, commingling of funds), major differences in age/language/culture, inconsistent interview answers, and questionable immigration/marriage history for either spouse, all prompting closer scrutiny by USCIS officials for fraud. 

What are the 4 types of immigration?

The four main types of immigration status are Citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders), Non-Immigrants (temporary visitors), and Undocumented Immigrants, each with distinct rights and paths to residency or citizenship, often categorized by reasons like family, employment, or humanitarian needs. 

What does CR7 mean on a green card?

CR7. Step-child of a U.S. citizen – conditional (Adjusted status)

What does code 3 mean in immigration?

Code 3 is a combination of codes 1 and 2 and happens when USCIS wants both a background check as well as to generate a green card or EAD for you.

Where is section 27 located?

SECTION27 is the successor organisation to the AIDS Law Project. It is a public interest law centre based in Johannesburg, which uses the law to promote, protect and advance human rights in South Africa.

How long does it take to deport an illegal immigrant?

The time to deport an undocumented immigrant varies dramatically, from days or weeks for expedited cases (like recent border crossers or those with criminal records) to years or even decades for complex court cases, depending on detention status, legal challenges, country of origin, and immigration court backlogs, with some individuals never being deported. Expedited removal can happen quickly without a hearing, while regular processes involve lengthy court proceedings, sometimes taking years to reach a final order. 

What is the main purpose of section 27 in the Constitution Act?

As this court put it, if a law limits the free exercise of religion, then the law is also of no use in promoting multiculturalism, since it affects a "part of one's culture which is religiously based." Hence, section 27 demands that governments must respect and tolerate various religions, even if this means that some ...

What is the new law for green card holders 2025?

New rules for Green Card holders in late 2025 focus on enhanced biometric entry/exit (photos at all ports for everyone, including kids/seniors), stricter marriage verification (cohabitation proof), intensified background checks for renewals, mandatory electronic payments for USCIS fees, and new security/public health bars for asylum. Expect more thorough vetting for benefits, potential delays at borders, and a push for digital payments for USCIS filings.
 

What is the 5 5 5 rule in marriage?

The 5-5-5 rule in marriage refers to different communication or connection strategies, primarily a conflict resolution technique where each partner gets 5 minutes to speak uninterrupted, followed by 5 minutes of dialogue, totaling 15 minutes to de-escalate and find solutions. Another variation focuses on daily connection: 5 minutes of talking about the day, 5 minutes on something meaningful, and 5 minutes of physical touch (like hugging), to stay close amidst busy lives. A third involves a mental check during arguments: "Will this matter in 5 minutes? 5 days? 5 years?" to gain perspective. 

Why do marriage green cards get denied?

Marriage-based green card applications receive close attention from USCIS officers. A denial usually points to missing evidence, procedural mistakes, or statutory barriers. Some of the most common reasons include: Insufficient proof of a bona fide marriage: USCIS expects more than wedding photos.

How long does it take for an illegal immigrant to become legal after marriage?

After marrying a U.S. citizen, an undocumented immigrant's path to legal status (a Green Card) depends on how they entered the U.S., but the overall timeline involves forms like I-130 and I-485, often taking 1-3 years or more, with potential complications like 3/10-year bars for unlawful presence requiring waivers, making legal consultation crucial to understand if adjustment of status is possible or if consular processing (and a potential wait abroad) is needed. 

Who is at the highest risk of being deported?

Those at the highest risk of deportation are non-citizens with criminal convictions (especially violent or serious felonies like "aggravated felonies"), individuals who entered without authorization or overstayed visas, and those who violate the terms of their status, with enforcement often targeting those with serious offenses or who pose security threats, though recent trends also show removals for minor offenses like traffic violations and drug possession. Permanent residents (Green Card holders) can also face deportation for specific crimes, while asylum seekers and those in precarious statuses like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are vulnerable if protections end.
 

What are the dangers of marrying a foreigner in the US?

Foreigners face unique challenges with immigration laws, cultural differences, and adjusting to a new environment. The dangers of marrying a foreigner include navigating complex immigration laws, understanding profound cultural differences, and managing the intricate immigration process.

What is the best excuse for asylum?

Establishing past persecution generally provides the strongest case for an asylum claim because it puts the burden on DHS to demonstrate that the fear is not well-founded.

How to win asylum in court?

To win asylum, an individual is required to provide evidence demonstrating either that they have suffered persecution in their home country on account of a protected ground in the past, and/or that they have a “well-founded fear” of future persecution in their home country.

How to pay the $100 asylum fee?

To pay the $100 asylum fee, use the official EOIR payment portal for immigration court cases or the USCIS payment system for USCIS cases, entering your A-Number and selecting the Annual Asylum Fee; you'll be redirected to pay.gov to use a bank account or card, then save your payment confirmation.