Digital Nomad & Residency - South Africa

A Remote Work Visa was gazetted under the visitor's-visa category (s.11 of the Immigration Act) and took effect in 2024; it is for foreign nationals employed by or contracted to companies based outside South Africa, who may not take up local employment.

Applicants must demonstrate gross remuneration of at least the equivalent of ZAR 650,976 per annum (reduced from the original ZAR 1 million threshold in the October 2024 amendment).

The visa is issued for up to 12 months and is renewable; holders cannot work for South African employers and generally cannot change visa status from within the country except in defined exceptional circumstances.

Holders who are tax-resident in a country with a double-taxation agreement (DTA) with South Africa must register with SARS if present for more than 183 days in any 12-month period; those from non-DTA countries must register with SARS regardless of length of stay.

From 9 October 2024 the General Work Visa and Critical Skills Work Visa are assessed under a new points-based system; applicants need at least 100 points (criteria include qualifications, salary, experience, language and Trusted Employer status).

South Africa has no citizenship-by-investment programme, but offers permanent-residence routes such as the Business Permit (broadly an R5 million investment with local-employment conditions) and the Financially Independent Permit (net worth of about ZAR 12 million plus an issuance fee), per the Immigration Act/Regulations.