Imiatlas

🇿🇦 South Africa

South Africa Digital Nomad Visa: requirements and how to apply

Permit allowing foreign remote workers and digital nomads to live in South Africa for up to 3 years.

Official South Africa digital nomad visa page

South Africa Remote Work Visa

Permit allowing foreign remote workers and digital nomads to live in South Africa for up to 3 years.

Typical duration
1 to 3 years
Path to permanent residency
Temporary stay

Main requirements

  • Annual foreign income ≥ R1,000,000 ZAR
  • Remote foreign employment

Official page

Documents usually needed for South Africa

  • For Critical Skills: qualification evaluated by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) and registration with relevant professional council
  • For Digital Nomad Visa: gross annual foreign income of at least R1,000,000 ZAR (~$55,000 USD)
  • Apostilled police clearance certificates and radiological/medical clearance reports
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months and a compliant photo (make yours here)

Application steps

  1. 1

    SAQA Evaluation & Professional Body Confirmation

    Submit degrees to SAQA for comparability certificate and obtain letter from professional council.

    4 - 8 weeks

  2. 2

    VFS Global DHA Lodgement

    Submit visa application at the South African Embassy or VFS center.

    6 - 12 weeks

  3. 3

    Biometrics & Residence TRP Sticker

    Receive temporary residence permit (TRP) sticker in passport with work authorization.

    2 - 4 weeks

Other ways to move to South Africa

Find a licensed adviser

For advice on your own case, use a licensed immigration lawyer or adviser. Always check they are registered before you pay anyone. Imiatlas does not refer or review cases.

Look for a lawyer registered with the national bar association or law society in South Africa. The official immigration website explains any rules on who may represent applicants.

Department of Home Affairs (DHA) & VFS Global

General information to help you research, not legal advice. Rules change often: always confirm with Department of Home Affairs (DHA) & VFS Global on the official website before applying.