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South Africa · Independent means

South Africa Retired Person Visa

8 facts quoted from the official source

A foreigner intending to retire in South Africa may reside on qualifying lifelong pension, annuity, retirement-account income or income-producing assets.

Savings required
ZAR 37,000
the lowest published threshold
Can bring
spouse, dependants +1
from the official record
Requirements
2
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

2 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Financial resourcesThe official minimum is R37,000 per month from a pension, irrevocable annuity, retirement account or a combination of assets realising that monthly amount.via gov.za
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • Passport or travel-document requirementPassport or travel document must remain valid for at least 30 days after the intended visit and have an unused endorsement page.
Also stated by the source
  • Dependent-family rightsA spouse and dependent children may receive an appropriate accompanying visa.
  • Long-term residence or conversion pathA corresponding section 27(e) retired-person permanent-residence route exists.
  • Work rightsThe Director-General may authorise work on individually determined terms and conditions.
Family

Who you can bring

spousedependantschildren
  • Dependent-family rightsA spouse and dependent children may receive an appropriate accompanying visa.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Validity
2 proven from the official source.
  • Initial duration or stay ceilingThe visa may be seasonal or continuous and may not exceed four years per grant.
  • Renewal or extensionThe visa may be renewed one or more times if the financial requirement remains satisfied.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every South Africa route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to South Africa?
The official source states: A foreigner intending to retire in South Africa may reside on qualifying lifelong pension, annuity, retirement-account income or income-producing assets.
02How much money do I need?
The official source states: The official minimum is R37,000 per month from a pension, irrevocable annuity, retirement account or a combination of assets realising that monthly amount. The lowest published threshold is ZAR 37,000 (savings).
03Can I bring my family?
The official record lists: spouse, dependants, children.
04What does this route lead to?
The official source states: A corresponding section 27(e) retired-person permanent-residence route exists.

Every answer is quoted from the official dha.gov.za page for this route, last read 2026-07-27.

We checked 8 points against the official source; 8 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Fees and processing time are not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source dha.gov.zaLast read 2026-07-27 Every quote on this page is from this South Africa government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-27 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other independent means routes to South Africa

2 other independent means routes to South Africa.

Permanent Residence — financially independent person (section 27(f))Permanent Residence — retired person (section 27(e))
Same category, elsewhere

Independent means routes in other countries

99 other countries publish at least one independent means route. Nearest first.

Botswana1 independent means route Eswatini1 independent means route Malaysia8 independent means routes Curaçao5 independent means routes Thailand5 independent means routes Portugal4 independent means routes

Does this route fit your numbers?

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