Chris Watters Attorneys practises exclusively in immigration law. We advise businesses, high-net-worth families and individuals through every stage, from the first question to the final permit.
Most clients come to us with a specific question. Here is where we can help.
Corporate immigration compliance, so your business stays on the right side of the rules as staff move in and out of South Africa.
Careful, confidential support for high-net-worth families and individuals who want to live, work or settle in South Africa.
Written immigration opinions on complex questions, grounded in the Constitutional Court and the Act as it has been amended.
Refugee and asylum matters, taken on selectively, where the law and the facts call for experienced advocacy.
Chris was admitted as an attorney in 1985 after completing a BA in political science and an LLB at Rhodes University. He has been sole proprietor of Chris Watters Attorneys since 1989 and has practised exclusively in immigration law throughout that time.
His work has shaped how South African immigration law is understood and applied. He has six leading Constitutional Court decisions on immigration and refugee law to his name, and he represented the Law Society of South Africa in a High Court challenge to the constitutionality of the permanent residence requirement for admission as an attorney.
"My focus has been on the intellectual side of immigration law."
Today the firm's visa and permit work is handled by his team, while Chris concentrates on compliance for corporate clients, support for high-net-worth families, immigration opinion work and the occasional refugee case that merits his attention.
Member of the Immigration and Refugee Law Committees of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces and the Law Society of South Africa. Prepared the profession's submissions to the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee, including comments on the 2002 Immigration Act and its amendments.
Appointed by the South African Cabinet as a specialist in immigration law on the inter-Ministerial Immigration Advisory Board.
Appointed by the Minister of Home Affairs as the first external moderator of the qualification examinations for immigration agents.
Appointed by the Minister of Justice to assist the South African Law Reform Commission in reviewing Home Affairs legislation for constitutionality, as rapporteur on immigration legislation.
Appointed by the Minister of Home Affairs to a Panel of Experts reviewing the Department of Home Affairs visa systems.
Presented a paper for the International Association of Migration and Refugee Law Judges, and has since spoken at the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the International Bar Association's immigration conferences.
Chris writes on landmark judgments, new legislation and what they mean in practice.
From your first call to a clear plan, you always know what happens next.
Share the facts of your position in a short call or email. There is no obligation at this stage.
We explain the law that applies to you, the realistic routes available, and what each would involve.
You receive a written summary of the plan, the costs and the timeline before we proceed.
Tell us briefly what you need. We will respond to arrange an initial consultation.