Business Visas of South Africa
Applying for a South Africa Business Visa
General information about South Africa business Visas
Visitors’ visas are for international travelers (citizens from other states) who have permanent residence outside South Africa and who want to visit the country briefly for tourism or business purposes over a period of 90 days or less.
A visa simply indicates your application was reviewed at a South African embassy, mission or consulate and that the consular official has determined you’re eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose.
The visa will permit you to go to a South African port of entry where an immigration official will subsequently determine if you are allowed to enter South Africa and for how long you can stay for that special visit. Visitors are limited in the action or reason for which their visas were issued.
On entry to South Africa, a visa is considered to be a visitor’s permit. The permit’s interval of validity is computed from the exact date of entry to the country and will be set out under the heading “conditions” on the visa label. You need to ensure that you just apply for the correct visa/permit. Entry in the country may be refused in the event the purpose of the visit was not accurately stated.
Requirements for visitor’s visas differ from country to country as well as the requirements are subject to change. As each application is treated as an individual case, and you also need to make enquiries with your closest South African mission or consulate abroad or any office of the Department of Home Affairs to see whether or not you have to apply for a visa.
Remember there is a fee charged for issuing a visa, and you need to check the price together with the office as well as this is updated yearly. The fee is payable in various currencies in different countries.
Visas aren’t issued at South African ports of entry, and airline officials are obliged to insist on visas before allowing passengers to board. Should you arrive without a visa, immigration officials are obliged to put you onto a flight back to your home country.
Foreigners with long term standing (work permits/permit home) in the neighboring states who passage the Republic to return to their employment or dwelling are not subject to the transit visa, provided, they are in possession of evidence of their standing.
South African visitors’ visas may be granted for:
— visits to family or buddies and additionally for tourism purposes
— company functions
— spouse to join a spouse who is in South Africa on a work or study permit
— children to join parents that are in South Africa on work or study permits
— fiancee/ fiance to join their partner together with the intension of marrying within 90 days
— study goals (maximum stay 3-months)
— charitable or voluntary actions
— research
— conventions
— to work in the production of an film or show (i.e. in the entertainment industry)
— for medical functions (max stay 3-months)
— sport occasions
Documents required to apply for a visa
— A passport or travel document valid for no less than 30 days following the expiry of your intended visit
— Your passport must have at least one unused page for entry / departure sanctions
— A completed Form BI-84 (application for a visa)
— Payment of the prescribed fee
— A yellow fever vaccination certificate (if demanded)
— Statement and/or documentation supporting the purpose and length of your visit
— Two colour passport photographs
— A return or onward ticket in the event you are travelling by air
— If you have children (minors) travelling with you or joining in South Africa, you’ll have to provide the following added files
o Proof of guardianship or custody or
o Consent from the guardian in the case of an unaccompanied minor
— Proof of financial means to cover your living expenses while in South Africa in the type of:
o Bank statements
o Salary advances
o Undertakings by the host(s) in South Africa
o Bursary
o Medical cover or
o Cash available (including charge cards and travellers’ cheques)
Remember, you do not have to submit your visa application in person. You can request anyone else (like a travel agent or courier services or a different family member) to submit the application on your behalf.
Requirements for entering South Africa
You are going to need the following if you want to see South Africa:
— A valid and acceptable passport or travel document for your planned stay
— At least one blank page in your passport for endorsements
— A legal visa, if demanded
— Sufficient funds to cover your day-to-day expenses during your stay
— A return or onward ticket
— Yellow fever certifications if your journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.
Do not forget there are particular goods that you cannot bring into South Africa and other goods on which duties should be paid.
For Customs conditions, http://www.sars.gov.za/ClientSegments/Customs-Excise/Travellers/Pages/Arrival-in-SA.aspx
For Agricultural requirements, http://www.daff.gov.za/daffweb3/Services/Imports
Company Visa in South Africa
If you are contemplating your immigration choices for getting a business visa in South Africa, we are pleased to detail our complete service proposition.
Background to our service for a small business visa in South Africa
Commencing any company is a comprehensive and complex process, but when establishing a small business in a foreign country the procedure becomes all the more complicated. At Business visa Immigration Specialist, we realize that setting up a business in South Africa means you must be given skilled, competent and complete guidance together with information that enables you to make the proper choices.
In addition, we understand that any business is in business to be successful, and it requires your time plus an attempt to make this occur.
That is the reason why we are here – to make the process as smooth and hassle free as possible. We’ve helped hundreds of customers since our inception in 2003 and are rightly proud of our standing as the go to immigration company for getting your business visa in South Africa.
Who should apply for a small business visa
A business visa in South Africa can be applied for by that seeking temporary or permanent residency in the Republic and wanting to set up and run their very own company. The business may be a startup, a purchased company or a partnership.
Please note in the event you are a corporate seeking to enlarge your operations into South Africa. A small business visa is most likely not the correct course. Instead, you ought to view our advice here on setting up an outside business or branch.
Eligibility standards
All the standard eligibility criteria apply to a small business visa application but in addition, future applicants ought to be aware of:
— The need of a capital equivalent or cash investment of at least ZAR 5 million into the company via from resources from abroad; and
The demand for 60% of your work force to be South African citizens or permanent residency holders; and
— The setting up of an appropriate firm structure and comprehensive business plan.
Regarding the fiscal condition of ZAR 5 million applications can for a waiver on this particular could be made by particular company classes.
10 Key service components for your business visa in South Africa
1. Expert guidance in the right company construction;
2. Enrollment of business name and company;
3. Formulating an appropriate business plan;
4. Recommendations for accountants and attorneys;
5. Property search;
6. Business visa application in full;
7. Recommendation for marketing and staffing;
8. Setting up of banking;
9. Introduction to South Africa’s biggest business and social network;
10. Market research – taken for a case by case basis.
Where to get started on your own business visa
South Africa has in place business visa regulations that should be satisfied. The very first step in obtaining a business visa in South Africa is to establish your eligibility. We offer a free and non obligatory consultation, so we may establish your qualification and answer any questions you may have.
You may also be interested in:
— Business visa in South Africa
— South African Business visa Requirement
— Starting a business in South Africa
Immigration to South Africa on a company visa
One of the ways of getting residency in South Africa is via Immigration to South Africa on a small business visa. A company visa does not just mean setting up a business, or buying into one in South Africa, but it also means you wish to work within this business. Should you be wanting to invest, but not wishing to work for the company, please see info here on the investors’ visa.
Below we give you ten need-to-understand facts on Immigration to South Africa on a small business visa:
1. Who can make an application for a small business visa?
Immigration to South Africa on a business visa is for foreign nationalities, which are not married or in partnerships with either a South African citizen or permanent residency holder.
Those in such a relationship should apply for either a spousal visa or life partner visa (depending upon their marital status) and obtain an endorsement to this visa rather than a stand-alone business visa.
2. What residency can you get with Immigration to South Africa on a small business visa?
You would first apply for temporary residency (a company visa) which, if granted, is usually for a period of no more than three years. After temporary residency was received you may make an application for permanent residency (a company permit).
3. Can my family also immigrate if I am granted this visa?
As with all visas in South Africa each applicant is granted a visa in their own right. Your spouse or partner and any children of a non school age would have to apply for accompanying visa and kids in schooling would need the study visa.
4. What is the fundamental criteria for a small business visa?
The Department of Home Affairs will need, among other things:
— A comprehensive business plan;
— An appropriative company construction;
— Undertaking with regards to the employment of South Africans;
— An investment amount of no less than 5 million rand originating from funds abroad;
— A completed application form either Form BI-1738 or Form BI-947;
— Written undertakings in respect of Revenue tax requirements;
— Medical and great standing report.
5. Can I run more than one company?
Immigration to South Africa, on a business visa, is special to a particular business and does not entitle you to work within any other entity other than the one specified in the application and subsequent visa. You can, however, freely make investments into other companies but not work in them.
6. I have seen reports that one may get exemptions from investing the R5 million rands; is this true?
The immigration act does allow for this. You can view more here on business categories that may qualify for a waiver.
7. Just how lots of people must I give to use?
It is a requirement that 60% of your staff are South African citizens, or permanent residency holders.
8. In what format must the business plan be?
There isn’t any given format but business plans are essential to Immigration to South Africa on a small business visa and as such must be all-inclusive. It should even be remembered the business plan also has to be written in accordance with special things the Department of Home Affairs will look out for in judging your application so it’ll differ from a standard one.
9. Which are the medical and great standing reports?
The medical reports take the type of: 1. A physicians report and 2. A radiological report which includes a chest x-ray. Good standing refers to a police clearance certificate. A police clearance certificate is needed from every state the applicant has resided in for a period to 12 months or more since the age of 18.
10. Where should I make an application?
Laws forbidden any visa application that would result in a reversal of status. As an example, entering South Africa on a tourist visa and afterwards applying whilst on this tourist visa for Immigration to South Africa on a business visa, wouldn’t be let. Where a change of status doesn’t apply after that the application can be made in South Africa.
Getting help and more information in Immigration to South Africa on a small business visa,you can contact us for a free and non obligatory consultation either by calling us.
Our Immigration to South Africa on a small business visa service includes all facets of the application from guidance on company structures, business plans, chartered accountancy certification and the visa itself.
This is really a permit issued to foreigners who intend to establish or put money into a small business in South Africa in which they may be applied.
Checklist of Documents to be Submitted:
— A duly completed application form (BI-1738) signed by the applicant
— Passport valid for no less than 30 after the expiry of intended visits
— Two (2) passport photos
— Medical report (physical)
— Radiological report (chest X-ray) or skin TB test
— FBI certificate (complete criminal history check report) and police clearance certificate from all states’ applicant lived in since age 18 for one year or more.
— Flight itinerary
— Non refundable fee of $255.00 money order for processing
— $1,500.00 money order for repatriation deposit
— Proof of U.S. legal status (copy of green card) if not U.S. citizen
— Proof of financial/capital contribution equivalent to R2. 5million
— Chartered Accountant certifying the investment, and that it’s accessible and originated from abroad
— A business plan outlining the feasibility of the company
— Proof that at least five citizens/permanent residents shall be employed
— An undertaking to enroll with SARS
— Proof of registration with the appropriate body/board/council
— Processing time is 2 – 3 weeks
Focus: South African Consulate General in New York Applicants ONLY:
— $16.00 money order for overnight mailing.
