South Africa
Republic of South Africa · Capital: Pretoria
The continent's most industrialised economy, with world-class cities, a critical-skills work visa, a digital-nomad route and an unbeatable cost-of-living-to-lifestyle ratio for professionals.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into South Africa.
Policy overview
3 visa routes into South Africa
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
Critical Skills Work Visa
SkilledZA-CSV
Work visa for occupations on the published critical-skills list. Since 9 October 2024 it sits in the points-based system: an occupation on the list scores the full 100 points.
Eligibility
- Occupation on the critical-skills list (100 points)
- Recognised qualification + professional registration
- Police clearance and medical report
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Digital Nomad / Remote Work Visa
Digital nomadZA-DNV
Remote Work Visitor Visa (gazetted 9 October 2024) for people working for a foreign employer, valid for up to 3 years.
Eligibility
- Gross foreign income of at least R650,796 a year
- Foreign employer or clients, 3 months of bank statements
- Register with SARS if staying more than 183 days in 12 months
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
ZA-GWV
Employer-sponsored work visa assessed under the points-based system introduced on 9 October 2024; the Department of Labour certificate is no longer required.
Eligibility
- Job offer from a South African employer
- At least 100 points from qualification, salary, experience, employer status and language
- Salary of at least R650,796 a year unless the employer is in the Trusted Employer Scheme
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in South Africa, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where South Africa needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Finance & professional services
Johannesburg anchors Africa's deepest financial-services market.
IT & engineering
Persistent shortages keep many tech and engineering roles on the critical list.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Cape Town
Tech & lifestyle hubA spectacular coastal city, the tech and nomad capital with the best lifestyle.
- Cost index
- 54
- 1-bed rent
- $750
- Quality
- 74
Johannesburg
Economic powerhouseThe continent's financial engine with the most corporate jobs; pick suburbs carefully.
- Cost index
- 50
- 1-bed rent
- $600
- Quality
- 66
Durban
Warm coast & portA warm Indian-Ocean port city with beaches and lower costs.
- Cost index
- 44
- 1-bed rent
- $480
- Quality
- 66
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendSkilled migrants are welcomed via the critical-skills list; high unemployment fuels periodic xenophobia.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Property and violent crime are high; expats manage risk via location and security.
Higher = safer (crime index 76/100).
Where to live
Which South Africa city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Cape Town
Mountain-and-sea stunner
A spectacular coastal city, the tech and nomad capital with the best lifestyle.
Durban
Subtropical & relaxed
A warm Indian-Ocean port city with beaches and lower costs.
Johannesburg
Fast & ambitious
The continent's financial engine with the most corporate jobs; pick suburbs carefully.
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