ZA
South Africa · Retired person visa · Retirement · apply embassy, in country · processing 28+ days
Temporary residence for a foreigner who intends to retire in South Africa, seasonally or continuously. A pension, irrevocable annuity or retirement account must pay at least ZAR 37,000 a month for life, or the applicant's assets must realise that amount each month. The visa runs for up to four years and can be renewed. The same monthly test is the permanent-residence route under section 27(e), with no waiting period.
There is no minimum age. The visa does not include work. The Director-General may authorise it. A spouse and dependent children can receive their own visas. Parents are not included on this visa. A police clearance and a medical and radiological report are required. The Washington mission also asks for cover with a South African medical scheme. The Copenhagen checklist does not. The statutory fee is ZAR 425 where a fee is payable. Missions publish their own currency amount. USD figures use ZAR 16.53 per USD on 9 October 2026. Permanent residence under section 27(e) uses this monthly test, not a lump-sum net worth. The section 27(f) net-worth permit is listed separately. Naturalisation needs permanent residence, five years of ordinary residence, and the ability to communicate in one official language. Absence of more than 90 days in any of those five years disqualifies the applicant. A tax resident is taxed on worldwide income. The visa itself does not decide tax residence.
South Africa also offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 10, 2026 Source
processing minimum set to 28 days from the Washington four-week long-term time. No national maximum is published (saembassy.org).
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