South African
Business Visa

Business Visas are available to individuals who wish to establish and operate their own business in South Africa. These visas enable applicants to obtain temporary or permanent residence while managing their business activities within the country.

HOW DOES ONE QUALIFY?

Business Visa Application Requirements for South Africa:

As part of the business visa application process, applicants are required to submit a certificate issued by one of the following professionals:

A chartered accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA),
A professional accountant registered with the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), or
A business accountant registered with the South African Institute for Business Accountants (SAIBA).

This certificate must confirm that the applicant has proof of at least ZAR 5 million available in cash for investment in South Africa, as determined by the Minister of Home Affairs.

Capital investment requirements may be reduced or waived for businesses in the following sectors:

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Clothing and Textile Manufacturing

Chemicals and Biotechnology

Agro-processing

Metals and
Minerals Refinement

Automotive
Manufacturing

Tourism

Crafts

Applicants must provide undertakings that include:

Employment of at least 60% South African citizens or permanent residents of the total staff complement in the business operations.

Registering the business with the following authorities and bodies, where applicable:

South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)

Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases

Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)

Relevant professional body, board, or council recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) in terms of Section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act

Additionally, applicants must obtain a certification from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to support their business visa application.

A comprehensive business plan and business profile are essential requirements for obtaining a South African business visa. The certification from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) usually takes between one and three months to obtain. Once this certification has been issued, the business visa application may be submitted. The processing time for the business visa by the Department of Home Affairs or the relevant South African embassy generally takes approximately three to four months, depending on the volume of applications being handled.