Business visa
Business visa
South Africa is an attractive destination for foreign entrepreneurs. Open up new opportunities with a business visa designed specifically for entrepreneurs, investors and professionals looking to expand their business.

Business visa to the Republic of South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is where global business opportunities, modern innovation and a rich natural heritage converge. Thanks to its stable economy, the country offers a wide range of investment opportunities in various sectors such as energy, tourism, agriculture, finance and technology. To do business in this country, you need to apply for a South Africa business visa.

With a South Africa business visa, you can visit the country and meet local partners, invest in new projects, negotiate and network. Enjoy its colorful landscapes, unique culture and hospitality of local people, creating unforgettable impressions during your visit.

Visa-Navigator.com is ready to help you apply for a business visa to South Africa. Our team of professionals will provide you with the necessary support to solve any difficulties and ensure smooth and efficient processing of your visa.

Apply for a business visa to South Africa

South Africa offers two types of business visas.

Visitor visa for business purposes.
Visitor visa for business purposes.

This visa allows you to stay in South Africa for about 90 days. It allows you to attend conferences, undertake training or provide counseling. If your application is approved and you meet certain requirements, you will be granted a work permit on a visitor visa. This visa can be applied for online and can be issued e-visa.

Long-term business visa.
Long-term business visa.

You have the opportunity to apply for a long-term business visa for South Africa if your plan is to set up your own business and operate in South Africa. This business visa is valid for three to five years with the possibility of obtaining permanent residence in the long term. You can obtain the visa at the nearest South African embassy or consulate.

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However, in some cases, a business visa may not be required:

  • If the establishment of the business is part of the operations of a larger corporation. This may be an international company that incorporates a branch or subsidiary in South Africa as part of its broader business interests.
  • When individuals invest in South African businesses but are not themselves directly involved in their operations.

The main criteria for obtaining a long-term business visa are as follows

Financial capacity: at least R5 million must be invested in the chosen business in order to realize its potential and grow.

Employee care: consider employing at least 60% South African nationals or permanent residents. This will create jobs, contributing to the betterment of the community.

Confidence of the Department of Trade and Industry: in order to successfully promote your business and create a good environment for development, it is important to get a positive recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry. This will confirm your willingness and ability to be a reliable and responsible market participant.

The fulfillment of these criteria will provide a sound basis for successfully establishing or investing in a business and contributing to the economic development of South Africa.

Countries authorized to enter South Africa for business purposes

Most countries, including EU countries, can enter South Africa and stay up to 90 days without a visa for business purposes. Foreign nationals who are not allowed visa-free entry must apply for an electronic visa or apply for a business visa at a South African embassy or consulate abroad.

Countries that are allowed visa-free entry:
Andorra
Angola* 
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda*
Argentina
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Bahamas*
Barbados*
Belgium
Belize* 
Benin* 
Bermuda
Bolivia* 
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Canada
Cape Verde*
Cayman Islands
Chile
Costa Rica* 
Cyprus*
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Eswatini* 
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Gabon* 
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Guernsey
Guyana
Hong Kong* 
Hungary* 
Iceland
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan*
Kenya
Lesotho* 
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Macau* 
Madagascar
Malawi*
Malaysia*
Maldives*
Malta
Mauritius* 
Mayotte
Monaco
Montserrat
Mozambique*
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Niue
Norway
Palestine
Panama
Paraguay
Peru*
Pitcairn
Poland* 
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Réunion* 
Russia
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Helena
Saint Martin (Netherlands)
Saint Vincent and Grenadines
San Marino
São Tome and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles*
Singapore
South Korea* 
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania
Thailand* 
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye* 
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
United States Virgin Islands
Uruguay
Venezuela
Zambia
Zimbabwe

*these countries are allowed visa-free entry for 30 days, other citizens for 90 days.

Countries who need to apply for an e-visa:
Albania 
Algeria 
Belarus 
Bulgaria
Cameroon 
China 
Congo 
Croatia 
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Egypt 
Ethiopia 
India 
Iran 
Lithuania 
Mexico 
Morocco
Nigeria 
Pakistan 
Philippines 
Romania 
Uganda 
Countries who need to obtain a visa from a South African embassy or consulate:
Afghanistan 
American Samoa
Armenia 
Azerbaijan 
Bahrain 
Bangladesh 
Bhutan 
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brunei 
Burkina Faso 
Burundi 
Cambodia 
Central African Republic 
Chad 
Christmas Island
Colombia 
Comoros 
Cook Islands 
Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) 
Cuba 
Djibouti 
Dominica 
Dominican Republic 
El Salvador 
Equatorial Guinea 
Eritrea 
Estonia 
Fiji 
Gambia 
Georgia 
Grenada 
Guam 
Guatemala
Guinea 
Guinea-Bissau 
Haiti 
Heard and McDonald Islands 
Honduras
Indonesia 
Iraq 
Kazakhstan 
Kiribati 
Kuwait 
Kyrgyzstan 
Laos 
Latvia 
Lebanon 
Liberia 
Libya 
Macedonia 
Mali 
Marshall Islands 
Mauritania
Micronesia 
Moldova 
Mongolia 
Montenegro 
Myanmar
Nauru 
Nepal 
Nicaragua 
Niger 
Norfolk Island 
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands 
Oman 
Palau 
Papua New Guinea 
Rwanda 
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia 
Samoa 
Senegal 
Serbia 
Sierra Leone 
Slovakia 
Slovenia 
Solomon Islands 
Somalia 
South Sudan 
Sri Lanka 
Sudan 
Suriname 
Syria 
Taiwan 
Tajikistan
Timor-Leste 
Togo 
Tokelau 
Tonga 
Turkmenistan 
Tuvalu 
Ukraine 
Uzbekistan 
Vanuatu 
Vatican 
Vietnam 
Wallis and Futuna Islands 
Yemen 

How do I apply for a business visa?

The process of applying for a business visa includes the following steps:

  1. Business registration with CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission). CIPC handles the registration of companies, cooperatives, intellectual property rights and provides technical services.
  2. Developing a business plan. The business plan should include a description of the strategy for success and the funding required, and cover all aspects related to South Africa's immigration rules for business visas.
  3. Gathering the required documents. The list of required documents depends on whether you are planning to set up a new business in South Africa or have already invested in an existing business.
  4. Register for an interview at the South African embassy or consulate. It is recommended that you register for an interview a few weeks before your desired date. If the South African embassy, consulate or visa center is outside your country, the waiting time for an interview appointment may be longer.
  5. Payment of Consular Fee. You will need to pay the consular fee as required by the South African Immigration Department. In addition, you may need to pay an additional fee if you are applying through a visa application center.
  6. Attend the interview. Make sure you arrive for your interview on time and have all the required documents. You may have to attend a short interview during the visa application process.
  7. Expect the result. You will need to wait about three to four weeks to find out if your application has been approved.

Documents required to apply for a business visa

Passport

valid for at least 30 days after the expiry date of the intended trip

Completed Form 1738

visa application

Two color photographs

passport size

Yellow fever vaccination certificate

(if necessary)

Application and/or documents,

confirming the purpose and duration of your visit

Confirmation of financial resources available to cover costs

Bank statements, cash, etc.

Certificate of no criminal record

Payment of visa fee

Visa requirements and the exact list of documents may vary depending on the nationality of the applicant and the type of visa.

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Trust us to handle your business visa to South Africa

We, Visa-Navigator.com are a team of experienced professionals offering complete support for your business visa process. Our mission is to facilitate the entire formal process and help you get your visa approved as quickly and efficiently as possible. We provide full consultation, help you prepare the necessary documents, fill out forms and interact with consular services.

Trust us with your business plans in South Africa and we will provide you with all the resources and information you need to make your venture a success. We guarantee professionalism, confidentiality and personalized attention in all aspects of our work.

Expand your global network of business contacts with a business visa to South Africa. Become part of a thriving economy and discover the many opportunities awaiting you in this beautiful land of contrasts. Let us help you on this exciting journey!

Have questions about your visa application?

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Kind regards,
Visa-Navigator.com team
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