SA Migration International

Articles

20-05-2024 SA Migration

South Africa Business Visa

Your expression of interest of a business visa has reference and we have provided you with an overview of the basic requirements
A Business Visa is issued to foreign nationals wishing to invest in or purchase a business in South Africa.
Investment in own Business, with or without a South African partner.
A business visa may be issued by the Department of Home Affairs to a foreigner intending to establish or invest in a business in South Africa in which he or she may be employed, and to members of such foreigners’ immediate family providing that certain requirements have been met.
Although the Act calls for investment of R5,0 million in a business to get both temporary and permanent business visa, you can get these visas with less capital investment - sometimes for as low asR400,000 ($45,000 USD) investment using our expert team at SA Migration Services.
Many businesses do not require a capital investment as large as R5 million and in certain cases, you are allowed to reduce this amount and commit to a smaller investment if your business falls within the certain industries . The following businesses to be in the national interest, and therefore qualifying for reduction or waiver of the capitalisation requirements as determined to be in the national interest in relation to a Business Visa:
• Agro-processing
• Business Process Outsourcing and IT Enabled Services
• Capital / Transport equipment, metals and electrical machinery and apparatus
• Electro Technical
• Textile, Clothing and Leather
• Pulp, paper and Furniture
• Consumer goods
• Boatbuilding
• Automotives and Components
• Green Economy Industries �` Power Generation / Renewable Energy
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Tourism infrastructure
• Chemicals, plastic fabrication and pharmaceuticals
• Creative and Design Industry
• Oil and Gas
• Mineral beneficiation
• Infrastructure Development
• ICT - Information and communications technology
The Minister has declared any businesses in the following sector as undesirable and will therefore not be considered under this category of Visa :

a) Businesses that import second hand motor vehicles into the Republic of South Africa
or the purpose of exporting to other markets outside the Republic of South Africa
b) The exotic entertainment industry
c) Security Industry
SA Migration Services will professionally help to arrange your Business Permits for you.
How to Qualify for a Business Visa in South Africa
How to Qualify for a Business Visa in South Africa
If you want to know how to qualify for a business visa in South Africa, read our top 5 hints and tips below. If you prefer to speak to one of our experts you can call us on any of the numbers above or request a call back, or email us.
Our top 5 hints and tips on how to qualify for a business visa in South Africa.
1. The amount you need to invest
A large part of how to qualify for a business visa in South Africa is how much money you have to invest into your new South African business. A minimum investment is required to be made into the business within a 2 year period of time. Further the source of these funds must be from outside of South Africa.
Whilst exemptions to this investment can be applied for they are granted only rarely.
2. How many jobs you will create
South Africa courts foreign investment, from SME’s through to large corporates. A large factor in it doing so is the creation of employment opportunities for local South Africans. As such your application will be scrutinised for the employment positions it creates.
60% of your employees need to be either South African citizens or permanent residency holders.
3. What sector your proposed business is in
Whilst courting foreign investment, regulations also pay attention to attracting the right sort of businesses to South Africa. There are specific sectors such as tourism and manufacturing that are deemed priority industries.
Speak to one of team about the industry sectors currently deemed a priority.
4. A business plan
Many see a business plan as a blueprint to the success of the business. It is a direct reflection on the amount of research, innovation and thought that has gone into planning the operation.
Further, the business plan will also identify the business’s chances of succeeding and the applicant’s own business ability.
A comprehensive business plan which also highlights the applicant’s ability to meet the business visa requirements is a must.
5. Understanding the ongoing requirements
How to qualify for a business visa in South Africa is one thing; keeping the visa is another, and often little or poor advice is given to this important consideration.
Once the business visa is obtained there are ongoing requirements that must be adhered to. Temporary residency holders are obliged to report back to the Department of Home Affairs every 2 years, whilst permanent residency holders must do similar 2 years after receiving permanent residency and 3 years thereafter.
Know your future obligations and ensure you work with a company that is committed to you over the term of such obligations.
Immigration to South Africa on a business visa
Immigration to South Africa on a business visa
One of the ways of obtaining residency in South Africa is via Immigration to South Africa on a business visa. A business visa does not just mean setting up a business, or buying into one in South Africa, but it also means you wish to work within this business. Should you be wishing to invest, but not wishing to work in the business please see information here on the investors visa.
Below we give you ten need-to-know facts on Immigration to South Africa on a business visa:
1. Who can apply for a business visa?
Immigration to South Africa on a business visa is for foreign nationalities that are not married or in partnerships with either a South African citizen or permanent residency holder.
Those in such a relationship need to apply for either a spousal visa or life partner visa (depending upon their marital status) and obtain an endorsement to this visa rather than a standalone business visa.
2. What residency can you obtain with Immigration to South Africa on a business visa?
You would first apply for temporary residency (a business visa) which, if granted, is normally for a period of not more than 3 years. Once temporary residency has been received you may make an application for permanent residency (a business permit).
3. Can my family also immigrate if I am granted this visa?
As with all visa in South Africa each applicant is granted a visa in their own right. Your spouse or partner and any children of a non school age would need to apply for accompanying visa and children in education would require study visa.
4. What is the basic criteria for a business visa?
The Department of Home Affairs will require, amongst other items:
• A comprehensive business plan;
• An appropriative business structure;
• Undertaking with regards to the employment of South Africans;
• An investment amount of not less than 5 million rand originating from funds abroad;
5. Can I run more than one business?
Immigration to South Africa, on a business visa, is specific to a particular business and does not entitle you to work within any other entity other than the one specified on the application and subsequent visa. You can however freely make investments into other businesses but not work in them.
6. I have seen reports that you can get exemptions from investing the R5 million rand; is this true?
The immigration act does allow for this, you can view more here on business categories that may qualify for a waiver.
7. How many people must I commit to employing?
It is a requirement that 60% of your staff are South African citizens, or Permanent residency holders.
8. In what format must the business plan be?
There is no specified format but business plans are central to Immigration to South Africa on a business visa and as such must be comprehensive. It should also be remembered that the business plan also needs to be written in accordance with specific items that the Department of Home Affairs will look out for in judging your application so it will vary from a normal one.
9. Where should I make an application?
Legislation forbids any visa application that would result in a change of status. As an example, entering South Africa on a tourist visa and then applying whilst on this tourist visa for Immigration to South Africa on a business visa, would not be allowed. Where a change of status does not apply then the application can be made in South Africa.

V.5376

Deprecated: Function strftime() is deprecated in /home/samiglpg/public_html/article_full_V01.php on line 324
27. Aug. 2024 Sowetan Live

Court rules in favour of traditional wife and nullifies civil marriage

Hilda Sedinjane turned to the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane for an order that she be recognised as the true wife of deceased Seabela Malatji. The parties concluded a customary marriage in 1988 as evidenced by a lobola certificate and four children were born of the marriage. V.5574

Articles

Articles

South Africa Business Visa

Court rules in favour of traditional wife and nullifies civil marriage

�Outdated systems expose Home Affairs�

Home Affairs committee wants inspectorate unit strengthened to track foreign nationals

Two more people caught over IDs-for-sale scam

How to apply for Greece tourist visa: A step-by-step guide

Austria Job Seeker VISA With Family VISA Application Process

Deadly Marabastad stampede sheds light on struggles of undocumented migrants in SA

New Zealand: Emigration soars amid economic woes

New Zealand: Emigration soars amid economic woes

Visa backlog: Portfolio committee welcomes overtime approval for Home Affairs officials

While Schreiber wants to bring dignity to Home Affairs, xenophobia rears its head in budget debate

Judge slams law firm for misleading court with `cut-and-paste` applications targeting refugees

How to get your new Smart ID at a bank

How stolen home affairs stamp led to cleaner`s bust

Spaza shop owners cry foul regarding Gauteng government funding

Identity fraud rockets in SA

Father unable to register his son because he is not the mother

People leave New Zealand in record numbers as economy bites

De Lille calls for concerted efforts for tourism to grow SA economy

Driven by a desire for a luxurious lifestyle

Visa Categories

Head Office

Cape Town, Tel : +27 (0) 82 373 8415

South Africa , Tel : +27 (0) 74 036 6127

Articles

Court rules in favour of traditional wife and nullifies civil marriage

Testimonials

Testimonials are the best way we can show how satisfied our clients are with us and they are our best advertisement. Just look what our clients have to say about SAMI!

Jennifer and Jimmy Wahlberg - Sweden

Free Newsletters

Newsletters are always the best way to keep our clients informed of the rapid changes in the immigration world and we can update you in this regard by you subscribing to our free newsletter.

Enhance your knowledge