Summary
Foreigners who are contemplating investing in the South African economy by establishing a business or by investing in an existent company in the nation must try to qualify for a small business permit. As an applicant, you’ll have to invest a official financial capital contribution.
The capital requirements above May be reduced or waived in respect to these types of industries/businesses -:
–Information and Communication Technology
— Clothing and textile production
— Chemicals and bio technology
— Agro-processing
— Metals and minerals refinement
— Automotive manufacturing
— Tourism
— Crafts
Application Fees
Category DHA Application Fee VFS Service Fee
Company Visa 1520 1350
Photocopy (Optional Service) 1 (per copy)
Premium Lounge (Optional Service) 500
SMS (Optional Service) 20
Internet Kiosk (Optional Service) Available in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban 100
— All fees are inclusive of VAT and to be paid in South African Rand. Above listed fees are non-refundable once the application is received by VFS Global and Department of Home Affairs.
Records Required
In respect of a company visa by a foreigner who intends to set a small business or invest in a small business which is not established in the Republic
— Duly completed online form. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by Department of Home Affairs.
— Applicants are requested to get first records for confirmation while submitting photocopies for any visa / permit category
— Original passport
— Copies of passport and preceding visas
— Original Bank payment / Electronic Fund Transfer receipt for each applicant
— Original and Copy of Bank Receipt per applicant in the event of Repatriation / Bank Guarantee paid in Department of Home Affairs Account
— Appointment Letter
— Passport valid for no less than 30 calendar days after expiry of the planned visit.
— A medical report.
— A radiological report.
— Unabridged birth certificate.
— Police clearance certificates in respect of applicants 18 years and older, in respect of all nations where individual resided one year or longer since having attained the age of 18.
— A vaccination certificate, if required by the Act.
— A certificate issued by a chartered accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants to the effect that:
o at least an amount in cash to be invested in the Republic;
o evidence that at least 60% of the total staff compliment used in the operations of the company are or shall be citizens or permanent residents employed permanently in various positions.
— An endeavor to register with the-
o South African Revenue Service;
o Unemployment Insurance Fund;
o Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases;
o Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CPIC); and
o Relevant accredited professional body, board or council recognised by SAQA in relation to section 13(2)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No 67 of 2008), if appropriate.
— A letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry regarding-
o The feasibility of the business; and
o The contribution to the national interest of the Republic
In respect of a business visa by a foreigner who intends to establish a small business or invest in a business that’s already established in the Republic
— Duly completed online form. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by Department of Home Affairs.
— Applicants are requested to get first records for verification while submitting photocopies for any visa / permit type
— Original passport
— Copies of passport and preceding visas
— Original Bank payment / Electronic Fund Transfer receipt for each applicant
— Original and Copy of Bank Receipt per applicant in case of Repatriation / Bank Guarantee paid in Department of Home Affairs Account
— Appointment Letter
— Passport valid for no less than 30 calendar days after expiry of the planned visit.
— A medical report.
— A radiological report.
— Unabridged birth certificate.
— Police clearance certificates in respect of applicants 18 years and older, in respect of all countries where individual resided one year or longer since having attained the age of 18.
— A vaccination certificate, if required by the Act.
— A certificate issued by a chartered accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants to the effect that:
o at least an amount in cash to be invested in the Republic;
o proof that at least 60% of the total staff compliment utilized in the operations within the business are or shall be citizens or permanent residents employed permanently in various places.
— Proof of enrollment with the-
o South African Revenue Service;
o Unemployment Insurance Fund;
o Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases;
o Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CPIC); and
o Relevant accredited professional body, board or council recognised by SAQA in relation to section 13(2)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No 67 of 2008), if applicable.
— A letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry affecting-
o The feasibility of the company; and
o The contribution to the national interest of the Republic
— Financial statement in respect of the preceding financial year
— A venture agreement
— A letter of confirmation from the Department of Labour that after 24 months of being issued with a visa, 60% of the staff compliment employed in the operations of the business are citizens or permanent residents who are used permanently
In respect of the renewal of a company visa
— A certificate issued by a chartered accountant filed with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants to the effect that:
o the original cash investment into the book value of the company is still so invested;
o proof that at least 60% of the total staff compliment utilized in the operations within the business are citizens or permanent residents employed permanently in various positions.
— Proof of registration with the-
o South African Revenue Service;
o Unemployment Insurance Fund;
o Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases;
o Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CPIC); and
o Relevant accredited professional body, board or council recognised by SAQA concerning section 13(2)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No 67 of 2008), if applicable.
— A letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry regarding-
o The feasibility of the business; and
o The contribution to the national interest of the Republic
— Financial statement in respect of the preceding financial year
— A partnership agreement
— A letter of verification from the Department of Labour that after 24 months of being issued with a visa, 60% of the staff compliment employed for the operations within the company are citizens or permanent residents who will be used forever emloyed.
In respect to the renewal of a business visa
— A certificate issued by a chartered accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants to the effect that:
o the initial cash investment into the book value of the company is still so invested;
o proof that at least 60% of the total staff compliment employed for the operations within the business are citizens or permanent residents employed forever in various positions.
— Proof of registration with the-
o South African Revenue Service;
o Unemployment Insurance Fund;
o Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases;
o Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CPIC); and
o Relevant accredited professional body, board or council recognised by SAQA regarding section 13(2)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No 67 of 2008), where appropriate.
— A letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry regarding-
o the continued feasibility of the company; and
o the contribution to the national interest of the Republic
— Financial statement in respect of the preceding financial year
— A letter of confirmation from the Department of Labour that 60% of the staff compliment applied in the businesses of the business are citizens or permanent residents who are employed forever.
Processing Time
All applications accepted at the Visa Facilitation Centre will have an average processing time of – 8 weeks (approximate timeline) for the selection to be returned from Department of Home Affairs. You can monitor your application online on VFS Global website to establish status of your application.
Varieties of temporary residence permits
Company Permits Requirements
Foreigners who are studying investing in the South African market by establishing a business or by investing in an existent company in the state must submit an application for a small business permit. As an applicant, you will have to invest a appointed financial capital contribution.
To invest in or start a business in South Africa you’ll have to have to, along with Form BI-1738, submit a certificate issued by a chartered accountant enrolled with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants to the effect that you have:
— At least R2,5m (two and a half million rands) in cash
— A capital contribution of at least R2.5m or
— At least R2m in cash along with a capital contribution of at least R500 000 that originated from abroad and is accessible to be invested as portion of the book value of the company
— A business plan outlining the feasibility of the company, both in the long and the short-term
— Proof or an undertaking that at least five citizens or permanent residents shall be eternally employed
— An undertaking to register with South African Revenue Services
— Proof of enrollment with the relevant trade body, board or council (where appropriate)
— A police clearance certificate from every country where you resided since age 18 years, for example, Republic of South Africa
— A yellow fever vaccination certificate if you have travelled or think travelling through a yellow fever endemic area
— A repatriation deposit equivalent to the value of a return ticket to your country of origin/permanent residence, which is refundable after your final departure, or after you’ve obtained a permanent residence permit
— Medical and radiology reports
