Business Visa Planner for Foreign Investors

R5,000,000 in cash from outside South Africa, under Government Notice 560 of 2014, which also says the capital contribution must be new machinery and or equipment. Money raised locally does not count. The Director-General of Home Affairs can reduce or waive the amount for businesses in sectors gazetted as being in the national interest, or when the dtic asks. No minimum below which a waiver will not be considered has been published.

At least 60% of total staff must be South African citizens or permanent residents employed permanently, and the percentage is of the whole team, yourself included. A founder with one local hire is 50%, so the founder needs at least two permanent local hires (one and a half hires rounds up). Proof is due within 12 months of the visa, as a letter from the Department of Employment and Labour.

The dtic recommends on the feasibility of the business and its contribution to the national interest, and its own form says the recommendation cannot be appealed or reviewed. Home Affairs decides the visa. Since 10 March 2025 recommendation applications go through the dtic's online Visa Recommendation System instead of email.

Home Affairs' published target is 8 weeks, counted in working days, for applications lodged inside South Africa and processed at head office. For business permanent residence it is 8 months. The dtic has not published a turnaround time for its recommendation, so the planner lets you set your own assumption.

Government Notice 561 of 2014 lists three undesirable undertakings: importing second-hand vehicles for export, exotic entertainment and the security industry. Hospitality, fast food and beauty appear on a separate list that applies to corporate visas, although some websites mix the two up.

Proof of the 60% local staffing within 12 months, proof that the investment is in place within 24 months and every two years after that, and a renewal application made at least 60 days before the visa expires. A business visa can be issued for up to three years at a time.