Ways to live in South Africa
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →
Remote Work Visa
For people employed by a company outside South Africa who want to live there and keep working remotely. Local employment is not allowed.
- What you need
- Gross salary of at least 650,796 rand a year (about $37,000), shown by 3 months of bank statements, and a contract with a foreign employer. Passport valid 30+ days beyond departure, medical report, police clearance and a return ticket.
- Income
- from about $3,100 a month
- How long
- Set by the Department of Home Affairs for each applicant
- Renewable
- No
- Cost
- Depends on the consulate (e.g. 32 Canadian dollars in Toronto)
- How to apply
- At a South African embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or through VFS Global visa centres
- Path to permanent residence
- Not a direct route to permanent residence. Holders generally cannot switch to another visa while in South Africa.
- Tax
- If you stay over 183 days in any 12 months, you must register with South Africa's tax service (SARS); always, if your country has no tax treaty with South Africa.
Work permit Work permits →
Critical Skills Work Visa
For professionals whose occupation is on South Africa's official Critical Skills List.
- What you need
- An occupation on the current Critical Skills List, a signed job offer or contract, foreign qualifications evaluated by SAQA (the South African Qualifications Authority), professional registration where required, medical report and police clearance.
- How long
- Up to 5 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- At a VFS centre in South Africa or a South African embassy abroad
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Student visa Student visas →
Study visa
For students accepted at a South African school, college or university.
- What you need
- An official letter of acceptance stating the course duration, medical cover from a South African medical scheme, proof of funds, and extra documents for minors.
- How long
- For the length of the course
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- At a VFS centre in South Africa or a South African embassy abroad
Retirement visa Retirement visas →
Retired Person's Visa
For retirees and others with secure passive income who want to live in South Africa long term. The Department of Home Affairs may also allow work.
- What you need
- At least 37,000 rand (about $2,100) a month from a pension, retirement annuity or retirement account, or assets that produce that income. Police clearance from every country you lived in for 12+ months since age 18, and a medical report.
- Income
- from about $2,100 a month
- How long
- Up to 4 years per visa
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Depends on the consulate
- How to apply
- At a South African embassy or consulate abroad; renewals at VFS Global centres in South Africa
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- There is a separate permanent residence category for retirees; the visa does not convert automatically.
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $300 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $460 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $910 |
| Bills | $80 |
| Typical local salary | $1,600 |
Cities to consider
- JohannesburgAfrica's energetic business hub
- Cape TownTable Mountain and two oceans
- DurbanWarm surf and curry
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Cape Town pairs Table Mountain with beaches and nearby winelands, Johannesburg is the business hub with a creative edge, and the Garden Route and Kruger offer road trips and safaris. Braai culture and sunny weather bring people outdoors.
Day to day
A car is essential; domestic flights cover long distances. Private hospitals are excellent, public ones are overstretched. Banking is modern with cards everywhere, and fibre is common in cities. English is widely used alongside many local languages.
Trade-offs
Crime is a serious concern and shapes where and how people live. Scheduled power cuts and water shortages have disrupted life, and inequality is very visible.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea30 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong30 days
MexicoETA · 90 d
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does South Africa have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. South Africa offers: Remote Work Visa.
How can I move to South Africa?
The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit, Student visa, Retirement visa.
Can I retire in South Africa?
Yes, through: Retired Person's Visa.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for South Africa were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for South Africa were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- DHA — Remote Work Visa requirements (effective 9 Oct 2024)
- South African Consulate-General Toronto — Nomad Visa
- SAnews — gazetting of Remote Work Visitor Visa
- South African High Commission Canberra — Retired person
- Gazette notice on retired person amounts (2014)
- DHA form BI-947 (permanent residence)
- https://www.dha.gov.za/
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
