About South Africa

Whether you’re looking to visit, live or work in South Africa—we can support your immigration needs at every stage of your journey.

If you're a foreign national looking to visit, live, and/or work in South Africa, several options are available.

• Business Visits: As a business visitor, you'll either need to secure a normal Section 11(1) Visitor Visa from a South African consular post before you travel or have it issued on arrival at the port of entry. The visa is issued for 90 days and may be renewed in South Africa for compelling reasons.
• Short-Term Work Authorization: If you need to conduct urgent and necessary short-term work-related activities, the Section 11(2) Visitor Visa may be an option. This visa may be extended in South Africa for an additional 90 days, but only one Section 11(2) Visitor Visa may be issued to an applicant per calendar year.
• Work Authorization: The General Work Visa, the Critical Skills Work Visa, and the Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa allow longer-term work. The Intra-Company Transfer work visa is suitable if you are being sent on secondment or assignment to your employer's South African entity, branch, or affiliate; it allows for a work period of up to four years. The General Work Visa and the Critical Skills Work Visa require a local contract. A General Work Visa or Critical Skills applicant must score at least 100 points under the points-based system, which considers factors such as educational qualifications, salary level, years of experience, language skills, and the status of their employer. The maximum duration for each visa is five years and may be extended in the country. A final visa category is the Section 11(6) Visitor Visa, designed for those married to a South African citizen; it authorizes them to work and study in South Africa.
• Internships/Traineeships: There is no trainee-specific work authorization category in South Africa.
• Self-employment: South Africa's Business Visa is designed for individuals who intend to invest in the South African economy by establishing a business or investing in an existing business. To qualify, you must make a prescribed financial contribution that may be reduced or waived, depending on the type of business or industry, and secure a letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry, among other requirements.
• Digital Nomad Visa: South Africa does have a special program dedicated to digital nomads. A Digital Nomad Visa is also available to foreign nationals who reside in South Africa and work as freelancers or for an employer outside of South Africa. To qualify, you must earn a sufficient minimum income (prescribed by the government), among other requirements.

Fragomen can also consult on citizenship matters and, as permitted within the confines of local law, may be able to offer citizenship assistance.