SA launches 'nomad visa' for remote workers earning no less than R1mill annually

John Maytham interviews Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director at XpatWeb.

Listen below.

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has recently reintroduced significant revisions to its work-permit regulations, paving the way for the introduction of a "nomad visa" tailored for remote workers.

These revisions, officially published on 20 May, have now been enacted into law following a prior withdrawal prompted by procedural oversights during public consultation periods.

Under this new visa scheme, individuals from abroad can work remotely for a foreign employer while residing within South Africa.

Key provisions include:

• Eligibility: Applicants must engage in work conducted for a foreign employer on a remote basis.
• Income Requirement: To qualify, applicants must demonstrate an annual income of no less than R1 million.
• Tax Regulations: For visas issued for periods up to six months, applicants may be exempt from registering as taxpayers with the Sars. However, for visas issued for durations exceeding six months within a 36-month time frame, applicants must adhere to Sars registration requirements.

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Although Jacobs acknowledges that the updated version represents an improvement, she underscores that significant strides are still necessary to address the inefficiencies and backlog plaguing the Department of Home Affairs.

"The new version is certainly better than the original version."

- Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director – XpatWeb

"We are sitting with a system of inefficiencies that's going to be with us for quite some time still."

- Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director – XpatWeb

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