South Africa — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
63,100,945 people · Capital: Pretoria · Southern Africa
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
South Africa is located in Southern Africa, with a population of 63,100,945. Its currency is the South African rand. Our database tracks 17 visa pathways for South Africa, each linked to a named source.
See also: South Africa country profile
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (17)
Sponsored Employment (6)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate Visas | €1,961/mo | — | 36 mo | — |
| Critical Skills Work Visa | €1,991/mo | €451 | 60 mo | 60d |
| General Work Visa | €451/mo | — | 60 mo | 60d |
| Intra-company Transfer Work Visa | €1,964/mo | €451 | 48 mo | 60d |
| Quota worker - Section 27(a) | €451/mo | — | 24 mo | — |
| Worker – Section 26(a) | €451/mo | — | 24 mo | — |
Skilled Independent (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Ordinary Skills - Section 27(b) | — | €80 | — | — |
Entrepreneur & Business (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business - Section 27(c) | €1,964/mo | €451 | — | — |
Passive Income (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financially Independent - Section 27(f) | — | €6,371 | — | — |
Retirement (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement Visa | €1,961/mo | €451 | 24 mo | — |
Study (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study Visas | €1,964/mo | €22 | 12 mo | — |
Family Reunification (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relative - Section 27(g) | €132/mo | €80 | 8 mo | 40d |
| Spouse and dependants - Section 26 (b, c, d) | €450/mo | — | — | — |
Cultural Exchange (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Visas | €1,964/mo | €451 | 12 mo | 60d |
Medical Treatment (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Treatment Visa | €1,964/mo | €451 | 6 mo | — |
Humanitarian & Protection (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refugee - Section 27(d) | — | — | 24 mo | — |
Business Visit (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Visa | €1,991/mo | €451 | 36 mo | — |
Cost of Living
| Item | South Africa | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €450 | €1,200 | -62% |
| Rent (3BR) | €650 | €2,000 | -68% |
| Groceries | €90 | €350 | -74% |
| Transport | €45 | €80 | -44% |
| Utilities | €110 | €150 | -27% |
| Dining (meal) | €8 | €15 | -47% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €16,000 |
| Education | €12,000 |
| Engineering | €28,000 |
| Finance | €35,000 |
| Healthcare | €18,000 |
| Hospitality | €9,500 |
| IT | €25,000 |
| Retail | €8,500 |
Shortage Occupations
- Software Developer (Information Technology)
- Data Scientist (Information Technology)
- Registered Nurse (Healthcare)
- Civil Engineer (Engineering)
- Electrician (Construction)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cape Town | 174 | 156 | €7,200 |
| University of the Witwatersrand | 365 | 128 | €6,800 |
| Stellenbosch University | 391 | 142 | €6,500 |
| University of Pretoria | 454 | 134 | €6,200 |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal | 545 | 98 | €5,900 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 17 of the 17 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 10 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- dha.gov.za · 8 pathways · verified 2026-06-24
- dha.gov.za · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-23
- dha.gov.za · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- dha.gov.za · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-20
- dha.gov.za · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- dha.gov.za · 1 pathway · verified 2026-07-01
- dha.gov.za · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-21
- dha.gov.za · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
- dha.gov.za · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
Financially Independent - Section 27(f) · 2 verified requirements
Minimum income: “Proof that the applicant has a prescribed minimum net worth (R12 Million)” — dha.gov.za
Savings / proof of funds: “Proof that the applicant has a prescribed minimum net worth (R12 Million) [FX ZAR/EUR 18.87097 @ 2026-06-22 = EUR 635897.36]” — dha.gov.za, 2026-06-26
Medical Treatment Visa · 1 verified requirement
Savings / proof of funds: “the minimum payment to a foreigner shall be per month, the amount determined from time to time by the Minister, this amount is currently set at R37 000,00.” — dha.gov.za
Business - Section 27(c) · 1 verified requirement
Minimum investment: “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” — dha.gov.za
Relative - Section 27(g) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “PR fee R1,520 (DHA tariff Jul 2025, s25); SA citizen/PR family tie required; 12 mo processing” — dha.gov.za
Spouse and dependants - Section 26 (b, c, d) · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “The financial assurance contemplated in section 18(1) of the Act shall be an amount, per person and per month, as determined ... The current amount determined by the Minister is R8 500.00. ... Provided that the financial assurance shall not be required where the South African…” — dha.gov.za
Extra Ordinary Skills - Section 27(b) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “PR fee R1,520 (DHA tariff Jul 2025, s25); SAQA eval required; no income/savings threshold” — dha.gov.za
Study Visas · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Study visa fee R425 (DHA tariff Jul 2025, s13); duration = course length; ≤20h/wk work permitted” — dha.gov.za
Retired - Section 27(e) · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “the minimum payment to a foreigner shall be per month, the amount determined from time to time by the Minister, this amount is currently set at R37 000,00.” — dirco.gov.za, 2026-06-26
Refugee - Section 27(d) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Fee exempt: DHA tariff excludes s27(d) from R1,520 PR fee; 10 yrs refugee status + SCRA cert” — dha.gov.za
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does South Africa have?
Our database tracks 17 visa pathways for South Africa across 11 categories, the largest being Sponsored Employment, Family Reunification, Cultural Exchange. Each entry links directly to an official government source.
What is the minimum income for the Retirement Visa?
The Retirement Visa lists a minimum income of EUR 1,961 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-21).
What is the average salary in South Africa?
The average gross salary in South Africa is EUR 417 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 224 per month.
How much does rent cost in South Africa?
A one-bedroom apartment in South Africa averages EUR 450 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 650 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in South Africa?
The top personal income tax rate in South Africa is 45%. The standard VAT rate is 15%.
Start Preparing for South Africa
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