South Africa digital nomad visa (remote work visitor's visa)

The visa is for a foreigner who must stay in South Africa to work for a foreign employer under a contract that partly requires activities in South Africa. You need a valid employment contract signed by you and the foreign-based employer and a gross salary of at least R650,796 a year, shown with three months of bank statements.

DHA's checklist effective 9 October 2024 lists the completed application form, a statement explaining the purpose and duration of the visit, a valid return air ticket or reservation, three months of bank statements, a passport valid 30 days beyond departure, a yellow fever certificate if you come from or through an endemic area, the signed employment contract and proof of payment.

Apply with the documents above at a South African mission abroad or through VFS Global, and pay the visitor's visa fee of R425. Since 8 July 2026 no medical report is required.

If you are tax resident in a country with which South Africa has a double taxation agreement in force, you must register with the South African Revenue Service once you are in South Africa for more than 183 days in total in any 12-month period. If you are not tax resident in such a country, you must register with SARS. The holder may not take up employment in South Africa and, as with other visitor's visas, cannot change status in South Africa except in prescribed exceptional circumstances.