If you plan to move to South Africa to open a business or invest in an existing business, you must apply for a Business Visa. Applicants are required to invest substantial capital and show a business plan.
All business visa applicants must apply for a letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the feasibility of their business and the contribution of the business to the national interest of South Africa.
Additionally, it must be shown that:
- the business’s work force comprises at least 60 percent of South African employees;
- the proposed business is not deemed to be ‘undesirable’ in nature;
- the business has the highest chance of success by way of a detailed business plan;
- the business is compliant with existing South African company law.
Among other requirements, the DHA states you must submit the Form BI-1738, plus a certificate issued by a chartered accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants to the effect that you have a capital contribution and/or cash to the value of at least ZAR 5.0mn that has originated from outside South Africa.
Certain businesses can have this amount reduced with a waiver should they be deemed beneficial to the country, for example, information and communication technology, clothing and textile manufacturing, chemicals and bio-technology, agro-processing, metals and minerals refinement, automotive manufacturing and tourism, among others.