Application and Renewal: South African Business Visa

UPDATED 25/02/2025: The online application system for Business Visa applications will be live from the 10th of March. No emailed applications will be accepted from the 1st of April.

The South African Business Visa is the required visa for investors that want to actively work in their own business in South Africa. The business visa, permits you to establish or invest in a business in South Africa. It offers a fast and effective path to Permanent Residence in South Africa.

To qualify for a business visa for South Africa, you need to either start a business or invest in an existing one. You cannot apply for a business visa solely because you own property in South Africa. Unlike investor visas in other countries, the South African business visa has specific requirements unique to the country.

In order to qualify for a business visa, you must fulfill two main criteria:

• Make a foreign direct investment of at least 5 million South African Rand.(aprox. $266,000.00 or €242,000.00)
• Ensure that 60 percent of your business’s employment is for South African citizens and permanent residency holders.

A South African Business Visa is issued in accordance with Section 15 of the South African Immigration Act.

Please note: Foreign business owners in South Africa must prove that they have a minimum of R5 million (ZAR) available for personal investment from abroad (or if already invested, proof that the funds were transferred from abroad must be provided)
A waiver to reduce this amount is presented in the below “Steps of Application”

The first step to obtain a Business Visa is applying for a recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry

Documents Required for the DTI application:

A business proposal covering the following:
• Personal details about the applicant
• Description of the business
• Applicant’s expertise
• Services
• Market Analysis
• Competitive advantage
• Management and employees
• Financial projections
• Contribution to national interest
• Feasibility of the business
• Other relevant information
• A Chartered Accountant certificate

Proof or undertaking that:

• At least 60% of the total staff complement will be South African citizens or permanent residents if you’re opening a new business
• The business is registered with the South African Revenue Service
• The business is correctly registered with the Unemployment Insurance Fund, Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases, Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (where legally required), and any relevant professional body, board, or council recognised by SAQA in terms of section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act
• A written Partnership Agreement if the business is or will become a partnership
• Copies of qualifications and a CV or resume
• A motivation letter stating the reasons for the waiver request for the R5 million requirement, should it be applicable
• Audited financial statements of the company for the previous two years if you are going to invest in an existing business in South Africa

Once you have obtained the DTI recommendation, you either apply for a waiver (if necessary) or straight for the business visa. Due to the long processing times of the waiver applications, we highly recommend to avoid the waiver process where possible.

Documents Required for a Business Visa Application

• Correctly and accurately filled Application form: DHA-1738
• Valid passport of all the applicants
• If you apply from outside of South Africa, passport photos (2x)
• Police clearance certificate of all applicants older than 18 years, for all countries where persons have lived for 12 months and longer during the past 5 years
• Medical report of all applicants
• Provide a residential address of the intended place of stay within the Republic and the business,
• Residential or physical address of his or her host in the Republic
• Copy of flight reservations
• Marriage certificate or Proof of life-partner relationship (or any previous divorce decrees)
• Yellow fever certificate of all applicants, in case of having travelled through or from a yellow fever area
• Business proposal submitted to the DTI
• A Chartered Accountant certificate
• Waiver (in case this was applied for)

Only certain types of businesses allow you to have reduced the capital requirements (R5 Million).
Industries that benefit from this relinquishment include:

• Information and Communication Technology
• Clothing and textile manufacturing
• Chemicals and biotechnology
• Agri-processing
• Metals and minerals refinement
• Automotive manufacturing
• Tourism
• Crafts

For a more detailed explanation of each document, including why they are required and how to ensure compliance, visit our Comprehensive Guide to Document and Form Requirements for this Business Visa.

The cost for a South African South African Business Visa Application is a combination of the below factors:

• DTI Application
• Chartered Accountant Certificate
• Waiver application (where applicable)
• Business visa application

Your best chance of successful application or renewal is to contact one of our expert immigration consultants to discuss the fees and costs relevant to your application.
Our in-house South African Business Visa Team, is considered as the best possible authority on this process.
They give you up-to-date information on costs based on current trends and circumstances.

Step 1: Application for a Recommendation from the DTI

In order to apply for a Business Visa, you need a positive recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
If your investment is below 5 million Rand, the DTI decides whether you can go ahead and apply for a waiver and move on with your application.

The DTI application is submitted via email (For attention: Mr F Maluleke Enquiries: vrecom@thedti.gov.za) , processed by IBN Immigration Solutions on behalf of our clients. It usually takes around 45 working days. A Chartered Accountant Certificate is required to confirm the availability of funds.

IBN Immigration Solutions handles the application and communication with the DTI.

Step 2: Waiver Application (if applicable)

If your investment is below 5 million Rand, you can apply for a waiver. Waiver applications are applied and submitted after a positive DTI recommendation. Waivers can be requested at the South African mission abroad or through VFS in South Africa.

Waiver processing times vary. It’s advisable to invest at least 2.5 million Rand to enhance chances of success.

Step 3: Business Visa Application

After obtaining the DTI recommendation (and possibly a waiver), apply for the Business Visa. Submit your application at the South African embassy/mission in your country of origin, residence, or in South Africa if eligible.

The processing times vary between places of submission and are usually 8-12 weeks.
The business visa is issued for a maximum duration of three years and if the investment has not taken place at the time of application, it needs to be invested within the first two years and proof needs to be shown.
The invested money cannot be taken out of the business again up until 5 years after obtaining Permanent Residency or when decided to cancel the Business Visa.

A renewal of the Business Visa can be done in South Africa, all steps shown, have to be followed again:

• DTI Recommendation
• Capital Waiver (if applicable)
• Business Visa Extension

1. How to Apply for a Business Visa for South Africa: A Comprehensive Guide
2. Understanding the Criteria for a Business Visa in South Africa
3. Demystifying the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Recommendation
4. The Importance of a Chartered Accountant Certificate in Your Business Visa Application
5. Essential Components of a Successful DTI Application for a Business Visa
6. Exploring Waiver Applications for Business Visas in South Africa
7. Navigating the Business Visa Application Process at South African Missions
8. Document Checklist: What You Need for a Business Visa Application
9. Processing Times and Expectations for Business Visa Applications
10. Renewal Process: Extending Your Business Visa in South Africa
11. Including Dependents: Applying for Spouses and Children on a Business Visa
12. Permanent Residency for Business Visa Holders: Requirements and Process

Disclaimer

At IBN Immigration Solutions, we adhere to Google’s standards for transparency. As a private immigration firm, we follow the regulations outlined in the Immigration Act of South Africa. We are not affiliated with the South African government. Our clients pay for our expertise in handling applications for both temporary and permanent residency. While forms required during the process can be obtained for free at any Department of Home Affairs office, we also provide them as part of our service. Those who prefer to deal directly with the Department of Home Affairs can visit their website at www.dha.gov.za/immigration-services/