🇬🇧 South Africa for entrepreneurs

It's been a while since I wrote about visas for entrepreneurs, so today I'm going to talk about the requirements for entrepreneurs to obtain a temporary residency visa to live in South Africa. Depending on when you read this, I recommend you to check the updated information with local authorities.

Documents required to apply for a long-term temporary residence visa, except medical treatment visa

The following general documentation must be submitted with all temporary residence visa applications on form DHA-1738, except in the event of an application for a medical treatment visa:

• A passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit
• A photocopy of all temporary residence visas endorsed in the passport
• Processing fee
• 1 recent passport size colour photograph 
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate (if the applicant has travelled through or intends travelling through the yellow fever belt area)
• Police clearance certificates in respect all countries where the applicant has resided for a period of twelve months or longer since having attained the age of 18 years.
• Medical and radiology reports (radiology reports are not required for children under the age of 12 years and pregnant women) 
• An unabridged birth certificate
• Proof of custody or adoption of a minor, where applicable 
• Consent from the parents of a minor, where applicable 
• A marriage certificate, where applicable 
• Proof of a spousal relationship by means of an affidavit, where applicable
• A divorce decree or proof of legal separation, where applicable
• A death certificate in respect of a late spouse, where applicable

Supporting documents, in addition those mentioned above, are applicable to every category of temporary residence visa. These supporting documents are listed on the DHA-1738 application form under each visa category.

Business Visas 

Foreigners who are contemplating investing in the South African economy by establishing a business or by investing in an existing business in the country must apply for a business visa, if it is his or her intention to be employed in the business.

The following documents must form part of a business visa application:

• A certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant or a Professional Accountant registered with the South African Institute of Professional Accountants to the effect that you have at least R5 000 000 available in cash, or at least R5 000 000 in cash and capital to be invested in the Republic.
• A recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the feasibility of the business and the contribution of the business to the national interest of the Republic.
• An undertaking that at least 60% of the total staff compliment to be employed in the operations of the business shall be South African citizens or permanent residents employed permanently in various positions.
• An undertaking to register with the-

1. South African Revenue Service;
2. Unemployment Insurance Fund;
3. Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases;
4. Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC); where legally required; and
5. Relevant professional body, board or council recognised by SAQA in terms of section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, where applicable.

The holder of a business visa is entitled to study part-time, without the need to apply for permission from the Department of Home Affairs in the form of an application for change of conditions to an existing business visa.

Any foreigner who wants to enter South Africa must apply for the appropriate temporary residence visa at:

• the South African diplomatic representative in his/her country of origin, or 
• at a South African diplomatic representative in a neighbouring country if there is no South African diplomatic representation in the applicant's country of origin

Applications for temporary residence visas are processed and finalised at the foreign offices of the Department of Home Affairs. Arrangements to travel to South Africa must only be made once the temporary residence visa has been issued.

If you’re interested in the South African culture or have a business idea that can be interesting to start there, now you know the first steps to go. Follow this magazine and its social media profiles to know more about the experience of living abroad, the challenges, how to overcome them and much more.

Nycka, the Nomad