Business Visas

Business Visa

• A business visa will be issued for a maximum period of 3 years.
• A business visa may be extended in South Africa at the nearest VFS Centre within the vicinity of the applicant’s residence in the Republic of South Africa.
• A business visa will be issued to a foreigner with the intention to invest or have invested in the South African economy.
• A foreigner with the intention to apply for a business visa shall submit an application at the Department of Trade and Industry for a recommendation on whether the business will be viable in South Africa. Only upon receipt of the favourable recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry, will the foreigner be able to submit the business visa application at the Department of Home Affairs or relevant Embassy or Mission abroad.
• The applicant wishing to obtain a business visa, will be required to invest a prescribed financial capital contribution. The capital contribution amounts may be reduced or and can be waived, based on the industry in which he or she would like to invest in.
• The holder of a business visa shall, within the first 2 years of the visa being issued, submit a letter of confirmation to the Director General of the Department of Home Affairs, stating that he or she fulfilled the requirements in respect of the visa and thereafter the letter of confirmation shall be submitted to the Director General of the Department of Home Affairs every two years.