Due to its well-developed infrastructure and world-class financial sector, South Africa is ranked as one of the top African destinations for foreign business people. To do business in the country, you are required to apply for a South Africa business visa.
What Is a South Africa Business Visa?
A South Africa business visa permits you to establish or invest in a business in South Africa where you may be employed.
South Africa offers two types of business visas.
- A visitor visa for business purposes. You can stay in South Africa with a visitor’s visa for about 90 days. With this visa, you can attend conferences, provide training, or conduct consultancy work. When you apply and meet specific requirements, the approval for work is added to the visitor’s visa.
- A long-stay business visa. This business visa is valid for three to five years and allows you to open or establish a new business in South Africa and eventually obtain a permanent residence permit.
Who Can Apply for a South Africa Business Visa?
You can apply for a long-term South Africa business visa if you plan to establish a business you own in whole or partly in South Africa and work while in the country.
Business visas are not required in the following cases:
- When businesses are being set up as part of a larger group. An example is an international company establishing a branch or subsidiary in South Africa as part of its broader operations.
- When individuals invest in South African businesses without working in them.
How to Apply for a Business Visa?
The application process is as follows:
- Register the business with CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission). The CIPC registers companies, co-operatives, intellectual property rights, and maintenance.
- Create a business plan. The business plan should outline the steps to success and the required funding, and it must cover all aspects relevant to South African immigration regulations for business visas.
- Collect the necessary documents. The required documents change depending on whether you intend to establish or invest in a new business in South Africa or have already invested in an existing business in South Africa.
- Schedule an appointment with the South African embassy or consulate. Make sure you schedule the appointment weeks beforehand. Waiting times for an appointment can be prolonged if a South African embassy, consulate, or visa application center is not in your country but a neighboring one.
- Finish the payment requirements. You will have to pay an application fee as required by the South African immigration department. Keep in mind that you might have to pay an additional fee if you apply at a visa application center.
- Go to the appointment. Ensure you are on time for the appointment and have all the necessary documents. You might be asked to attend a brief interview for your visa application.
- Wait for the outcome. You will have to wait three to four weeks to determine whether your application has been approved.
What Are the Requirements for a South Africa Business Visa?
When applying for a South Africa business visa, you must submit the following documents:
- Application form. Please make sure to fill out (with black ink only) the application Form DHA- 1738 with the correct information, and sign it at the end.
- Submit your valid machine-readable passport with a validity period of no less than 30 days after you depart from South Africa. Your passport must also have at least two blank pages.
- Identity photographs Make sure to submit two identity photographs with the required size and guidelines specified by the South African immigration department.
- A vaccination certificate. If you are traveling through yellow fever zones in Africa and South America, you must provide a certificate that you are vaccinated against yellow fever.
- Evidence of financial means. You must submit evidence that you have a minimum of R3000 or around USD 177 per month. You can include your recent bank statements, cash, or travelers cheques.
- Medical and radiology report. Please note that radiology reports are not required for pregnant women and children under 12.
- Police certificate. You must submit a police clearance certificate obtained from every country where you have lived for more than 12 months— the certificates must not be older than six months.
Accompanying Documents
To obtain a South Africa Business, you must also include the following additional documents:
- A certificate issued by a chartered accountant registered with the South African Institution of Chartered Accountants showing that you will invest any of the following:
- An amount in cash, as determined by the Minister after consultation with the Minister of Trade and Industry, is available, or
- An amount in cash and a capital contribution, as determined from by the Minister after consultation with the Minister of Trade and Industry. The minimum capital contribution is R5 million (five million Rand). This investment needs to be made from funds introduced into South Africa from abroad.
- A written statement that a minimum of 60% of your total staff will be South African citizens or permanent residents employed permanently in various positions. You need to submit this statement 12 months after your visa is issued.
- A written statement that you will complete the required registration with all appropriate authorities, such as;
- South African Revenue Service
- Unemployed Insurance Fund
- Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries
- Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (if applicable)
- Other relevant bodies as specified by the SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority)
- A business plan. The business plan must address every pertinent part of South African immigration laws pertaining to business visas, as well as the stages to success and the necessary finance.
- If investing in an already existing business, submit a letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the following:
- Financial statements from the previous year.
- The contribution of the business to the national interests of the Republic
Note: The capital contribution may be reduced or waived concerning these industries or businesses:
- Information and communication technology.
- Clothing and textile manufacturing.
- Chemicals and biotechnology.
- Agro-processing.
- Metals and minerals refinement.
- Automotive manufacturing.
- Tourism.
- Crafts.
How Long Can You Stay With South Africa Business Visa?
A South Africa business visa can be issued for 3 to 5 years. The duration for which the visa is issued is significantly influenced by how the application goes. Often, applicants who have used a professional’s services will get a visa with longer validity.
Can I Extend My South Africa Business Visa?
You can extend your South Africa visa, for which you need to submit another application. The Department of Home Affairs will decide on the length of your extension.
See how to extend a South African visa.
Can I Get Permanent Residence in South Africa With a Business Visa?
With a South Africa business visa, you can also apply for permanent residence . To apply for permanent residence, you need to meet the requirements on two separate occasions:
- Within two years of the issue of your visa, and
- Again after three years.
How Much Does a South Africa Business Visa Cost?
A South Africa business visa has an application fee of R1520 or around $88. This fee has been in effect since November 2022, and it is expected to change annually without warning, and it can also differ depending on which country you submit your application from.
How Long Does It Take To Get a South Africa Business Visa?
The processing time for a South Africa business visa is about 3 to 4 weeks. But you must remember that processing times can take longer depending on certain circumstances when you submit your application.
Can I Bring Family Member to South Africa with a Business Visa?
You can bring your family member to South Africa with a business visa. When you apply for your business visa, you can include spouses, partners, and dependent children. Partners, spouses, and children under school age will have to apply for an accompanying visa.
In contrast, children of school age or those with higher education will have to apply for a South Africa study visa.