2025

While South Africa welcomes international property buyers, securing a mortgage is controlled by strict Exchange Control Regulations rather than standard bank policy. The primary constraint is the “50% Borrowing Rule,” which mandates a 1:1 ratio: for every Rand borrowed, a non-resident must invest an equivalent amount of their own capital, effectively capping loans at 50% of the purchase price.

Paper-heavy services, ink-stained forms, and long queues when accessing government services may soon be relics of the past. From IDs to matric certificates, and driver’s licences to Master’s Office services, South Africa is stepping into its digital era, with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) already blazing a digital trail in enhancing service delivery and security.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent a clear and uncompromising message to employers across South Africa to comply with immigration and labour laws or face the consequences.

South Africa has taken a welcome step toward easing long-standing restrictions that make it difficult for spouses of Critical Skills Work visa holders from working in the country. Excluding accompanying partners — many of whom are highly skilled in their own right – from the labour market has long been seen as undermining the country’s competitiveness in attracting scarce global talent.

Demonstrating economic merit and contribution to South Africa is set to become a central requirement in immigration policy, with proposals to assess applications for work visas, and permanent residency on criteria strongly linked to how foreign nationals contribute to the country’s economy.