South Africa: Business / Entrepreneur Visa 2026

Business visa. ZAR 5M investment + 60 local jobs. Up to 3 years. 5 years to PR.

Best For

Large-scale investors, established entrepreneurs

Not Ideal For

Small business owners; those without ZAR 5M+; solo entrepreneurs

At a Glance

Visa Type
Entrepreneur Visa
Region
Africa
Visa Duration
3 years
Processing Time
2–4 months
Min Income (annual)
Min Investment
Application Fee
€300
Path to PR / Citizenship
PR · 12y to citizenship
Difficulty
7/10 — Difficult

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements
RequirementDetails
Age Range18+
Education Required
Job Offer RequiredNo
Sponsor RequiredNo
Remote Income AllowedNo
Family Accompaniment AllowedYes
Language Requirement

Application Process

  1. 1
    Confirm eligibility
    Verify you meet the age, education, and financial requirements above. Use our free eligibility quiz to score your fit against South Africa's Business / Entrepreneur Visa.
  2. 2
    Gather documents
    Passport, recent photos, criminal record check, proof of accommodation, financial statements, health insurance, and any sponsor or employer letter.
  3. 3
    Submit application
    File the application with the relevant South Africa immigration authority — usually online or at the consulate in your home country.
  4. 4
    Pay fees & attend appointment
    Pay the application fee (€300). Some applicants are required to attend a biometrics or interview appointment.
  5. 5
    Wait for decision
    Typical processing: 2–4 months. Decision is communicated by email or via the official portal.

Cost & Financial Requirements

Financial Requirements
ItemAmount
Minimum Annual Salary
Minimum Monthly Income€1,240
Minimum Investment
Application Fee€300

Family & Long-term Rights

Family & Rights
RightDetails
Family AllowedYes
RenewableYes
Path to PRYes
Path to CitizenshipYes
Years to Citizenship12
Dual Citizenship AllowedYes
Spouse Work RightsYes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Business / Entrepreneur Visa?

Business visa. ZAR 5M investment + 60 local jobs. Up to 3 years. 5 years to PR.

Who is the Business / Entrepreneur Visa best for?

Large-scale investors, established entrepreneurs

How long does the Business / Entrepreneur Visa take to process?

Processing typically takes 2–4 months. Times may vary based on nationality, completeness of documentation, and current processing volumes.

What does the Business / Entrepreneur Visa cost?

The application fee is €300. Total relocation cost depends on living costs, insurance, and document attestation.

Does the Business / Entrepreneur Visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes — this pathway has a path to PR.

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Official source: https://www.dha.gov.za

Last verified: 2026-03-05

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