Nomad Watch
ZA

Digital Nomad Visa

Active Standard

South Africa · Remote Work Visitor Visa · Formal dn visa · apply embassy

Minimum income $3,282/month $39,381/year
Stay 36 months
Application fee $26
Tax Standard

Overview

Country
South Africa
Visa name
Digital Nomad Visa
Local name
Remote Work Visitor Visa
Program type
Formal dn visa
Status
Active
Initial duration
36 months
Max duration
36 months
Income requirement
$3,282/month ($39,381/year)
Application fee
$26
Tax status
Standard

Requirements

  • Health insurance not required
  • Criminal record check required
  • Proof of accommodation not required
  • Proof of employment or clients required
  • University degree not required

What you can do

  • Work for local companies
  • Freelancers eligible
  • Employees eligible
  • Work permit included no
  • Bring dependents
  • Multiple entry no
  • Open a local bank account no

Family and dependents

Dependents allowed
Yes

Tax

Tax status
Standard
Foreign income taxed
Yes

How to apply

Application method
embassy
Can apply in-country
No
Multiple entry
No
Can open bank account
No

Notes

Remote Work Visitor Visa under section 11(1)(b)(iv) of the Immigration Act: one visitor's visa for remote work for a foreign employer, for any period of more than three months up to three years. It is not a 12-month visa renewed up to 36 months, and the Act does not provide a renewal that extends it past three years. Regulation 11(4)(b)(i), substituted by Government Notice 5398 in Gazette 51366 on 9 October 2024, requires gross income of at least the equivalent of ZAR 650,976 a year. The Department of Home Affairs checklist still prints ZAR 650,796. Prove the income with three months of bank statements and a contract of employment with the foreign employer. Freelancers are not covered, and the holder may not take up employment in South Africa. A spouse or child may apply for their own visitor's visa to accompany the holder. No extra income amount is published for them. The statutory fee for a section 11 visitor's visa is ZAR 425 where a fee is payable (Gazette 55209 of 17 August 2026). Some nationalities are fee-exempt, and missions publish their own currency amount: the Embassy in Washington lists USD 55. VFS Global's service fee is separate. USD figures use ZAR 16.53 per USD on 9 October 2026, rounded to the nearest dollar. There is no nomad tax rate. A South African tax resident is taxed on worldwide income. Tax residence is ordinary residence or the physical-presence test, not 183 days. The 183-day figure is only when a tax resident of a double-tax-agreement country must register with SARS. Someone who is not tax resident in such a country must register with SARS. A police clearance is required for a visitor's visa of more than three months. The regulations do not say whether the visa allows more than one entry. The national checklist does not require health insurance or proof of accommodation. Yellow fever vaccination is required only where the itinerary calls for it. The visa has to be lodged at a mission abroad; a holder may not change status from inside South Africa except in the exceptional cases listed for visitor's visas.

Also in South Africa

South Africa also offers these long-term residency programs

Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 10, 2026 Source

Change history

    • Official page http://www.dha.gov.za/ https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/notices/1824-remote-work-visa-requirements-9-oct-2024
    • Initial duration months 12 36
    • Renewable Yes No
    • Income monthly (USD) 2917 3282
    • Income annual (USD) 35000 39381
    • Application fee (USD) 50 26

    official and source URLs pointed at the DHA requirements notice and Gazette 51366. Processing days cleared because missions do not publish one national time.

Free views Sign up free