Knowledge Base – QUESTRAVEL

By Víctor Pizarro, Co-founder of QUESTRAVEL

Why South Africa

Picture writing code with Table Mountain in view, or closing your last call before a weekend safari. With fast-growing tech hubs, world-class nature, and favorable costs, South Africa now offers a Remote Work (Digital Nomad) Visa so you can live there legally while earning from outside the country.

What it is (plain English)

A Remote Work visitor’s visa that lets you live in South Africa for more than 3 months and up to 3 years while working remotely for a foreign employer/clients. It’s a temporary residence pathway—not permission to take a local South African job.

Quick facts

• Stay length: >3 months up to 3 years (issued under the visitor’s visa framework).
• Income threshold: at least ZAR 650,976 per year (prove with recent bank statements).
• Tax rule: if you spend >183 days in any 12-month period, you must register with SARS (with or without a tax treaty, per the rules).
• No local employment: you cannot take a South African-sourced job while on this visa.
• Status changes: changing to another visa type inside South Africa is generally not allowed (except narrow, prescribed circumstances).

Eligibility (at a glance)

• You work remotely for a non-South-African employer or freelance for overseas clients.
• You meet the income floor (ZAR 650,976/year).
• You hold a valid passport, private health insurance recognized in South Africa, and can provide a clean police record if requested.

Documents you’ll typically prepare

• Passport + photo
• Employment contract (foreign employer) or proof of overseas clients
• Income evidence: recent bank statements (3 months) matching the threshold
• Health insurance covering treatment in South Africa
• Return/onward flight reservation (as requested for visitors’ visas)
• Any police/medical clearances specified during your application

How to apply (step-by-step)

1. Create an online profile and start your application on the DHA e-Permits/eVisa system (or follow the official instructions for your location).
2. Complete the Remote Work visitor’s visa form, upload your documents, and pay the applicable government fees.
3. Await adjudication; you’ll be notified to provide biometrics or additional paperwork if needed.
4. Travel and activate your visa following the instructions in your grant notice.

Taxes & compliance (read this!)

• If you’re present in South Africa for more than 183 days in any 12-month period, register with SARS.
• If your home country has a double-taxation agreement with South Africa, follow the treaty mechanics; if no treaty, SARS registration still applies.
• Keep earnings foreign-sourced to stay aligned with the visa’s purpose.

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Income proof doesn’t add up: align employer letters, payslips/invoices, and bank statements.
• Insurance too vague: the policy should explicitly cover medical care in South Africa.
• Local job offers: not permitted under this visa—don’t risk a status breach.
• Assuming you can switch visas in-country: plan ahead; changes are tightly restricted.

One-page checklist

• Foreign employer/clients + contract/letters
• Bank statements (3 months) showing ≥ ZAR 650,976/year
• Health insurance (South Africa coverage)
• Passport + photo + return/onward ticket
• Police/medical reports (if requested)
• Online application submitted; biometrics done
• SARS registration plan if you’ll exceed 183 days

Want a smooth landing?

We’ll pre-review your evidence, build a clean Remote Work pack, and map your Cape Town/Johannesburg setup (SIM, coworking, neighborhoods). Book a consult at fromquestravel.com.

Official references

(Per your preference, links only here and the fromquestravel.com mention above.)

• Government Gazette — Third Amendment to Immigration Regulations (Oct 9, 2024): introduces remote work provisions; sets the ZAR 650,976 income floor and the SARS registration rule after 183 days.
• DHA — Remote Work visitor’s visa requirements (checklist): confirms “exceeding 3 months to 3 years,” income evidence (3-month bank statements), no local employment, and status-change limits.
• DHA e-Permits / eVisa portal: official online application channel for visas. (eHome)

Updated on: 06/11/2025