Business Permit & Business Visa Consulting in South Africa

Want to run your own business in South Africa? You need the right visa — and the right paperwork behind it. Maltech-Africa guides foreign investors and entrepreneurs through the business visa process, from your first assessment to your dtic recommendation, capital waiver and company setup.

What the business visa requires

The business visa (section 15 of the Immigration Act) is for foreign nationals who want to establish or invest in a business in South Africa and work in it. The main requirements are:

• a minimum capital investment of R5 million from abroad, which can be reduced or waived for priority sectors
• a recommendation letter from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), confirming the business is viable and in South Africa's interest
• a certificate from a registered chartered accountant confirming the investment funds
• a commitment that at least 60% of staff will be South African citizens or permanent residents
• a registered South African company with its CIPC, SARS and labour registrations in place

Investing less than R5 million? You can still apply. After a positive dtic recommendation, a separate waiver application is made to the Department of Home Affairs.

Requirements change from time to time. We confirm the current rules for your case during your assessment.

Our business permit services

The full application fee depends on your industry, investment amount and setup. Government, VFS and chartered accountant fees are billed separately. Your consulting fee is credited toward the next phase if you proceed with us.

Two routes, two different processes

1. Investing R5 million or more: we prepare your dtic recommendation application and move straight to the visa application.
2. Investing less than R5 million: we build a strong case for the dtic recommendation, then prepare your capital waiver application before the visa application. This route takes longer, so plan ahead.

If you already own a business in your home country and are opening a South African subsidiary, we can show proof of your existing business activities as part of your case.

How it works

1. Book your Business Permit Consulting session. We assess your business idea, your investment and your best route.
2. We register your South African company and get its compliance in place.
3. We prepare your dtic portfolio and, if needed, your waiver application.
4. You submit your visa application with everything in order — and we stay with you until the outcome.

Frequently asked questions

Do all foreign business owners need to invest R5 million?

No. The R5 million requirement applies to business visa applications, and it can be reduced or waived for certain sectors. Your situation decides your route — that is what the assessment is for.

Is this the same as a work permit?

No. A work permit is for working for a South African employer. A business visa is for running your own business. See our Work Permit & Employment Visa Facilitation page if you will be employed.

Can you help if I am outside South Africa?

Yes. Consulting, company registration and document preparation are done remotely.

Ready to start? Book your Business Permit Consulting session today.

Business Compliance is not a burden, it is an investment, a marketing and competitive advantage and your leverage as an SME.

Maltech-Africa