What investment, capital, income, revenue, funding or viability evidence is central to this pathway?
The standard capital requirement is R5,000,000 in cash from outside South Africa, or cash and a capital contribution consisting of new machinery/equipment, supported by a registered chartered, professional or business accountant certificate or factual finding report. The Director-General may reduce or waive the contribution for prescribed national-interest businesses or when requested by Trade and Industry. A DTIC recommendation assesses business feasibility and contribution to the national interest. Since10March2025, initial, extension and permanent residence recommendation requests use the DTIC online VRS, which replaced the recommendation email process.
See recorded sources
Limits of the record- A particular reduced amount, automatic entitlement to waiver, complete current national-interest business list and separate current waiver submission procedure are not established. The VRS notice concerns recommendations, not a blanket capital waiver.
- https://dirco.gov.za/copenhagen/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/BUSINESS-VISA.pdf
An application for a business visa by a foreigner who intends to establish a business or invest in a
business that is not yet established in the Republic of South Africa, shall be accompanied by –
a) a certificate or a factual finding report issued by a chartered accountant registered with the
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, a professional accountant registered with
the South African Institute of Professional Accountants or a business accountant registered
with the South African Institute for Business Accountants to the effect that –
i. at least R5 000 000,00 in cash, originating from outside the Republic, is available to
be invested in the business; or
ii. at least R5 000 000,00 in cash and a capital contribution (must be new machinery
and / or equipment), originating from outside the Republic, is available to be
invested in the business;
(See note below in respect of the reduction or waiver of the capitalisation
requirements)
b) an undertaking by the applicant that at least 60% of the total staff complement to be
employed in the operations of the business shall be South African citizens or permanent
residents employed permanently in various positions: Provided that proof of compliance
with this undertaking shall be submitted within 12 months of issuance of the visa;
c) an undertaking to register with the –
i. South African Revenue Service;
ii. Unemployment Insurance Fund;
iii. Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases;
iv. Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC), where legally required;
and
v. relevant professional body, board or council recognised by SAQA in terms of
section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, where applicable,
Provided that upon registration, all certificates shall be submitted to the Director-
General; and
d) a letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry regarding –
i. the feasibility of the business; and
2
SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY
DEN SYDAFRIKANSKE AMBASSADE
COPENHAGEN – DENMARK
Gammel Vartov Vej 8, DK-2900 Hellerup, Telephone: +45 39 18 01 85, e-mail: copenhagen.consular@dirco.gov.za
ii. the contribution to the national interest of the Republic of South Africa.
(Applicants should contact the Department of Trade and Industry directly to enquire
about obtaining such recommendation: vrecom@thedti.gov.za.)
An application for a business visa by a foreigner who has established a business or invested in an
existing business in the Republic of South Africa, shall be accompanied by –
a) a certificate or a factual finding report issued by a chartered accountant registered with the
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, a professional accountant registered with
the South African Institute of Professional Accountants or a business accountant registered
with the South African Institute for Business Accountants to the effect that –
i. at least R5 000 000,00 in cash, originating from outside the Republic, is available to
be invested or already invested in the business; or
ii. at least R5 000 000,00 in cash and a capital contribution (must be new machinery
and / or equipment), originating from outside the Republic, is available to be
invested or already invested in the business;
(See note below in respect of the reduction or waiver of the capitalisation
requirements)
b) proof that at least 60% of the total staff complement employed in the operations of the
business shall be South African citizens or permanent residents employed permanently in
various positions;
c) proof of registration with the –
i. South African Revenue Service;
ii. Unemployment Insurance Fund;
iii. Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases;
iv. Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC), where legally required;
and
v. relevant professional body, board or council recognised by SAQA in terms of
section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, where applicable;
d) a letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry regarding –
i. the feasibility of the business; and
ii. the contribution to the national interest of the Republic of South Africa;
(Applicants should contact the Department of Trade and Industry directly to enquire about
obtaining such recommendation: vrecom@thedti.gov.za.)
A foreigner who has established a business or has invested in an existing business shall, in addition,
submit –
a) financial statements in respect of the preceding financial year; and
3
SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY
DEN SYDAFRIKANSKE AMBASSADE
COPENHAGEN – DENMARK
Gammel Vartov Vej 8, DK-2900 Hellerup, Telephone: +45 39 18 01 85, e-mail: copenhagen.consular@dirco.gov.za
b) proof of investment.
- https://www.dha.gov.za/images/PDFs/ImmigrationRegulations2014-Updated2018-compressed.pdf
14 Business visa
(1) An application for a business visa by a foreigner who intends to establish a business
or invest in a business that is not yet established in the Republic, shall be accompanied by-
(a) a certificate or a factual finding report issued by a chartered accountant
registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, a
professional accountant registered with the South African Institute of
Professional Accountants or a business accountant registered with the South
African Institute for Business Accountants to the effect that-
(i) at least an amount in cash to be invested in the Republic as determined
from time to time by the Minister, after consultation with the Minister of
Trade and Industry, by notice in the Gazette, is available; or
(ii) at least an amount in cash and a capital contribution as determined from
time to time by the Minister, after consultation with the Minister of Trade
and Industry, by notice in the Gazette, is available;
(b) an undertaking by the applicant that at least 60% of the total staff complement
to be employed in the operations of the business shall be South African citizens
or permanent residents employed permanently in various positions: Provided
that proof of compliance with this undertaking shall be submitted within 12
months of the issuance of the visa;
(c) an undertaking to register with the-
(i) South African Revenue Service;
(ii) Unemployment Insurance Fund;
(iii) Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases;
(iv) Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC), where legally
required; and
(v) relevant professional body, board or council recognised by SAQA in terms
of section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, where
applicable,
Provided that upon registration, all certificates shall be submitted to the Director-
General;
(d) a police clearance certificate; and
(e) a letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry
regarding-
(i) the feasibility of the business; and
(ii) the contribution to the national interest of the Republic.
(2) An application for a business visa by a foreigner who has established a business or
invested in an existing business in the Republic, shall be accompanied by-
(a) a certificate or a factual finding report issued by a chartered accountant
registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, a
professional accountant registered with the South African Institute of
Professional Accountants or a business accountant registered with the South
African Institute for Business Accountants to the effect that-
(i) at least an amount in cash as determined from time to time by the
Minister, after consultation with the Minister of Trade and Industry, by
notice in the Gazette, is available or already invested in the Republic; or
(ii) at least an amount in cash and a capital contribution as determined from
time-to-time by the Minister, after consultation with the Minister of Trade
and Industry, by notice in the Gazette, is available or already invested in
the Republic;
(b) proof that at least 60% of the total staff complement employed in the operations
of the business are South African citizens or permanent residents employed
permanently in various positions;
(c) proof of registration with the-
(i) South African Revenue Service;
(ii) Unemployment Insurance Fund;
(iii) Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries and Diseases;
(iv) Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC), where legally
required; and
(v) relevant professional body, board or council recognised by SAQA in terms
of section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, where
applicable;
(d) a police clearance certificate; and
(e) a letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry
regarding-
(i) the feasibility of the business; and
(ii) the contribution to the national interest of the Republic.
(3) A foreigner who invests in a business to be established or has invested in an existing
business shall, in addition to complying with subregulation (2), submit-
(a) financial statements in respect of the preceding financial year; and
(b) proof of the investment.
(4) The applicant must, within 12 months of the visa being issued, submit to the
Director-General a letter from the Department of Labour confirming that a report regarding
the undertaking referred to in section 15(1)(c)(ii) of the Act that 60% of the staff
complement employed in the operations of the business are South African citizens or
permanent residents who are employed permanently in various positions.
(5) A business visa may be issued for a period not exceeding three years at a time.
[Reg. 14 substituted by GN R1328 of 29 November 2018 (wef 1 December 2018).]
- https://www.dha.gov.za/images/PDFs/IMMIGRATION-ACT-2002---UPDATED-2015.pdf
(2) The holder of a business visa may not conduct work other than work related to the business in respect
of which the visa has been issued.
(3) The Director-General may reduce or waive the financial or capital contribution referred to in subsection
(1)(a) for businesses which are prescribed to be in the national interest, or when so requested by the
Department of Trade and Industry.
(Section 15(3) substituted by section 5 of Act 3 of 2007)
(4) The holder of a business visa shall submit proof to the satisfaction of the Director-General that he or
she has fulfilled the requirements contemplated in subsection (1)(a) within 24 months of the issuance
of the visa, and within every two years thereafter.
(5) A business visa may be issued to a foreigner for more than one entry if multiple entries into the
Republic by that foreigner over a period of time are necessary for that foreigner to conduct the
business in question effectively.
(Section 15 substituted by section 17 of Act 19 of 2004)
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/37837gon560.pdf
STAATSKOERANT, 15 JULIE 2014 No. 37837 3
GOVERNMENT NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS
No. 560 15 July 2014
IMMIGRATION ACT, 2002
(Act No. 13 of 2002)
[Sections 15(1)(a) and 27(c), read with Regulations 14(1)(a) and (2)(a) and 24(5)(a) and (b)]
FINANCIAL OR CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION FOR BUSINESS IN RESPECT OF BUSINESS
VISA AND PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT
I, Mr M K N Gigaba, MP, Minister of Home Affairs, have, in terms of sections 15(1)(a) and
27(c) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) and after consultation with the
Minister of Trade and Industry, determine the amount in cash, originating from outside the
Republic, to be invested in a business to be established or in an existing business in the
Republic, to be R5 000 000,00.
The capital contribution must be new machinery and or equipment.
MR M K P
MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS
This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za
- https://www.thedtic.gov.za/digital-business-visa-recommendation-application-process-to-enhance-efficiency-goes-live/
The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition ( **the dtic**) has launched the Business Visa Recommendation System (VRS), an online platform for business visa recommendation applications—for all foreign business owners applying for first, extension and or permanent residence recommendations in terms of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. Business visa applicants will benefit from a more effective, transparent, and user-friendly application process that goes live today.
According to the Acting Deputy Director-General of Investment and Spacial Industrial Development at **the dtic**, Mr Yunus Hoosen, the main objective of the system is to enhance efficiency for business visa applicants. He mentions faster processing, convenience and transparency as some of the benefits of the VRS.
“The VRS replaces the email application process with a digital platform, improving efficiency and accessibility for global investors looking to reside in South Africa for the purpose of establishing, expanding and or invest in businesses. This initiative is part of inclusive and sustainable industrial development’s ongoing efforts to reduce red tape and simplify the ease of doing business in South Africa,” explains Hoosen.
“From an administrative viewpoint, the VRS is a solution for collecting, managing, and reviewing applications online. In addition, it eliminates incomplete applications from being submitted, provides monitoring of applications received and finalised and provide investment-related information needed for reporting and planning amongst others,” adds Hoosen.
In conclusion, Hoosen says the VRS is aligned with South Africa’s broader e-governance initiatives, which seeks to improve accessibility to government services through digital transformation. Furthermore, the VRS marks a significant milestone in modernising the country’s investment facilitation framework, reinforcing South Africa’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment.
**
- https://www.thedtic.gov.za/digital-business-visa-recommendation-application-process-to-enhance-efficiency-goes-live/
Posted: March 10, 2025
