South Africa digital nomad visa: Complete guide

Love the idea of being a digital nomad, travelling the world and working remotely as you go? This kind of lifestyle offers lots of freedom, but you will still need to apply for visas in the countries you’ll be staying in.

In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at the digital nomad visa for South Africa, covering everything you need to know as a UK national. This includes eligibility, what documents you’ll need, application fees, how long you can stay and how to apply.

So, let’s dive right in.

South Africa digital nomad visa: requirements and eligibility

South Africa is one of many countries which has a digital nomad visa.

Known as the Remote Worker Visa or Digital Nomad Visa, it’s a type of temporary residency visa. It’s aimed at foreign citizens wanting to live and work in South Africa for a temporary period, either for an employer or as a professional freelancer or contractor.

First announced in March 2024, this visa didn’t come into effect until March 2025.¹

On this visa, you can stay in South Africa for up to one year, with the option to renew for up to 3 years.¹

There are some conditions attached though. You can’t work for a South African company or clients (only those based in other countries) and you’ll need to meet a minimum income requirement of 1 million South African Rand (ZAR) - this is around £41,870 in GBP.¹

To meet the South Africa digital nomad visa requirements, you’ll need to provide evidence of your income along with proof of police clearance, medical reports and quite a lot of other documentation. We’ll look at what you’ll need in just a moment.

You can bring dependents (such as your spouse and children) to South Africa with this visa.

It’s important to note that this is not the right type of visa for entrepreneurs looking to start a business in South Africa - there’s another category of visa for that.

How much does it cost?

The South Africa digital nomad visa costs £35 in application fees, plus an additional service charge of £40.² This is a processing fee charged by VFS Global - the official partner of the Embassy of South Africa in the UK.

If you’re bringing any dependents with you on the visa, there may be additional application fees to pay for each applicant.

What documents do you need?

The documents you’ll need to apply for a digital nomad nomad visa for South Africa include the following:¹

• A valid passport
• A completed South African Temporary Residence Visa Application Form (DHA-1738)
• Two passport-sized photos of yourself
• A cover letter explaining why you’re applying for the visa and how long you intend to stay in South Africa
• Proof of address in South Africa - for example, a lease agreement or mortgage statement (if you own property in South Africa)
• A police clearance certificate from the UK
• A medical report and radiological report
• Copies of marriage or birth certificates for dependents applying with you (if relevant)
• Proof that you meet the minimum income requirement - such as employment contracts, bank statements, payslips, invoices or tax returns
• Proof of private health insurance (recognised in South Africa)

Opening a South African bank account isn’t a stated requirement, but it could be useful as you’re planning your move overseas.

It may be the case that you’re not able to keep your UK account open, so you’ll need an alternative to manage your money while in South Africa.

How to apply for the digital nomad visa in South Africa

According to theSouth African High Commission in London, applications for the South Africa digital nomad visa are carried out through VFS Global.³

Here’s how to do it:⁴

1. Check your eligibility - in particular, the minimum income requirement
2. Get your documents together
3. Download the application form - you can find it here on the VFS Global South Africa website
4. Print and complete the application form
5. Book an appointment at your nearest visa application centre - there are centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. You’ll need to create an account with VFS Global, sign in and then book your appointment online.
6. Pay your visa application fee and any applicable service fees
7. Attend your appointment, making sure to take along your completed application form and all supporting documents. Your biometric information and photo will be taken during your appointment.
8. Wait for your application to be processed - VFS Global also offers a tracking service so you can see where your application is up to and how long it is likely to take.
9. Collect your passport and visa documents from the visa application centre, or arrange for them to be delivered to you via courier (for a fee).

How long can you stay in South Africa as a digital nomad?

You can stay in South Africa for up to 1 year with the digital nomad visa, with the option to renew for a further 2 years after this. This means that in total, you can stay in South Africa for up to 3 years on this visa.²

Taxes for digital nomads in South Africa

There’s no specific South Africa digital nomad visa tax under the country’s laws, but you’ll still be liable for income taxes while living and working in South Africa.

If you stay for at least 183 days, you’ll be considered a tax resident of South Africa and will need to pay tax on all income earned there and worldwide.

If you stay less than this in any given year and your income is foreign-sourced, you should be exempt from paying income tax in South Africa.¹

It’s best to get professional advice though, just to make sure you understand your obligations.

Using Wise to pay for your visa and spending abroad

That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in South Africa. As it’s a relatively new visa, before applying make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements.

Since you’ll have quite a few expenses to cover before and after relocating to South Africa, you should consider the best ways to manage your money.

Though Wise is not a bank, the Wise account can be a great alternative to traditional banks. You can send money with Wise between the UK and South Africa at the mid-market exchange rate for low fees*.

The linked Wise card can help you out once you arrive in your new home. For a one-time cost of just £7, you can spend in 150+ countries, including South Africa.

It auto-converts the money in your Wise account to the right currency whenever you spend. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account*.

Why not open an account and use it to pay for your visa costs and spending while in South Africa?

Open a Wise account 🌍

For more help settling into life in South Africa, read our handy guides:

• Moving to South Africa from the UK
• Payment methods in South Africa
• How to buy a prepaid SIM card for South Africa
• Taking cash in or out of South Africa

FAQs about the digital nomad visa in South Africa

Is South Africa good for digital nomads?

Yes, the country is a good choice for digital nomads, and not only because it has a designated digital nomad visa available. If you base yourself in a major city like Cape Town or Johannesburg, you’ll benefit from an affordable cost of living, access to co-working spaces and a community of other expats and digital nomads, a vibrant culture and beautiful natural scenery just outside the city limits. Plus, English is widely spoken in South Africa.

Can I bring my family on a South African digital nomad visa?

Yes - you can include dependents such as a spouse and children on your application for a South Africa digital nomad visa. Bear in mind though that there may be extra application fees to pay for dependents.

Does a South African digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?

No, there is no route to permanent residency or citizenship in South Africa with the digital nomad visa.

So if you’d like to move to South Africa permanently, you’ll need to look into other routes and visa types.

Sources used:

1. Citizen Remote - length of visa
2. VFS Global - visa information including fees
3. South African High Commission in London - immigration services
4. VFS Global - official South Africa partner for applying for a visa

Sources last checked on date: 25-Jul-2025