Business Visa:
This Visa is for a person wanting to open/ start a new business in South Africa or wanting to invest in an existing business.
The Financial Requirement for this Visa has been determined at R5 million.
1st Application/s must be made abroad in your country of origin at the nearest SA Embassy. Extension Applications can be made from within South Africa after receiving 1st Visa.
The Minister together with the Minister of Trade and Industry will from time to time establish and decide which industries needs to be invested in. Only investment into those specific industries will be accepted for Business Visas. If the Business that the foreigner would like to invest in does not concur with the department's list, then a Business Visa will not be granted. When a foreigner does not have the capital amount to invest, then he/she can apply for a waiver for a reduced investment amount. For a reduced investment amount, there will only be certain industry's that the foreigner would be able to invest in. Underneath this page, we have attached the lists of business that the Department has deemed acceptable to invest in and also a list of "undesirable" businesses that won't be allowed and approved.
Requirements needed:
Establishing New Business -
- All Visa Source Documents (as per list on top panel)
- A Certificate issued by Chartered Accountant registered with the SA Institute of Chartered Accountants or Professional Accountant registered with the South African Institute of Professional Accountants to the effect that: - a) at least an amount in cash to be invested in the Republic as determined from time to time by the Minister; b) at least an amount in cash and a capital contribution as determined from time to time by the Minister; c) undertaking by the applicant that at least 60% of the total staff compliment to be employed in the operations of the business shall be South African Citizen's. proof of compliance shall be submitted within 12 months of the permit being issued.
- An undertaking to register with the: - a) South African revenue Service (SARS); b) Unemployment Insurance fund(UIF); c) Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases; d) Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC); e) relevant Professional Body, Board or Council recognised by SAQA.
- A Letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade & Industry regarding the feasibility of the business and the contribution to the national interest of the Republic.
Investing in Existing Business -
- All Visa Source Documents (as per list on top panel)
- A Certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant or Professional Accountant to the effect that: - a) at least an amount in cash to be invested in the Republic is available or already invested as determined from time to time by the Minister by notice in the Gazette; b) at least an amount in cash and a capital contribution as determined from time to time by the Minister; c) proof that at least 60% of the total staff compliment employed in the operations of the business are SA Citizens or PR Holders
- Proof of Registration with the: - a) SARS; b) UIF; c) Compensation Fund; d) CIPC; e) relevant professional body, board or council recognised with SAQA.
- A Letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the feasibility of the business and the contribution to the national interest of the Republic.
- A Foreigner who invests or has invested in an existing business shall submit Financial Statements in respect of the preceding financial year and Proof of Investment.
- The Applicant must within 12 months of the visa being issued, submit to the Director general of the Department a letter of confirmation from the Department of Labour that 60% of the staff compliment employed are SA Citizens or PR holders.
 | New Business Visa List Desirable & Undesirable Business List Business Visa List.pdf (922.22KB) |