South Africa Financially Independent Residence

1. Permanent residencypossible
2. Citizenshipafter 5 years

• Permanent residency
• Citizenship 5 years
• Dual citizenship allowed
• Language required for citizenship One official language

Country

South Africa

Program

South Africa Financially Independent Residence

Type

Economic

Status

Active

Permanent residence for a foreigner who proves a net worth of at least ZAR 12 million and, once the application is approved, pays ZAR 120,000 to the Director-General. The net worth does not have to be invested in South Africa. There is no age limit and no prior temporary visa is required by the Act. A spouse, and children under 21, can apply separately as relatives.

Net worth required

$725,953

Application fee

$92

Government contribution

$7,261

Tax regime

Worldwide

Regime name

SA progressive tax (18-45%)

Foreign income taxed

Yes

Capital gains taxed

Yes

Method

embassy, in country

Apply from abroad

Yes

This is section 27(f), not the retired person visa. The retired person route is a monthly payment of ZAR 37,000. A chartered accountant certifies the net worth. The ZAR 120,000 is paid on approval and is not an investment. The gazette does not say whether relatives pay it again. The statutory application fee is a further ZAR 1,520. USD figures use ZAR 16.53 per USD on 9 October 2026. The permit is permanent. It can be withdrawn if the holder does not take up residence within one year, or is absent for more than three years. Section 25 gives a permanent resident the rights of a citizen except rights that a law reserves to citizenship, which is why work is included. Family members are not endorsed on the same permit. The Washington mission says a spouse and children under 21 qualify under section 27(g), and that section covers relatives in the first step of kinship, which the mission lists as parents, children and spouses. Naturalisation needs five years of ordinary residence, communication in one official language, and no more than 90 days abroad in any of those years. A tax resident is taxed on worldwide income. The visa does not itself decide tax residence.

• Digital Nomad Visadigital nomad visa

1. Oct 10, 2026

   Added

   created. Permanent residence at a net worth of ZAR 12 million, with ZAR 120,000 paid to the Director-General on approval (https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/37716gon454.pdf).