Living in South Africa
Information for British citizens moving to or living in South Africa, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in South Africa. Read about how our British High Commission Pretoria and British Consulate-General Cape Town can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the South African government. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date: follow the UK in South Africa via our channels: GOV.UK, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, and Instagram.
Before you go
Read and subscribe to South Africa travel advice for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
British nationals can visit South Africa and can stay in the country for 90 days without a visa. Check the entry requirements of South Africa.
If you want to live in South Africa, you will need to submit an application for a temporary residence visa at the South African High Commission. Temporary residence visas can take up to 90 days to process. You should allow at least 12 weeks for your application to be processed.
Temporary resident visas are issued for studying, retirement, medical, work and for living with a relative or spouse.
If you wish to extend any other visa you can submit an application at VFS Global South Africa.
Please visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website for further information.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from South Africa.
Your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive. Check the South Africa travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in South Africa
South Africa does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the United Kingdom and visitors to South Africa are advised to apply for travel or medical insurance ahead of their arrival. Travel insurance is not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.
The health system in South Africa is divided into two: the public health care and private health care system. South Africa has a very high standard of private medical care, comparable with the UK. Private health care can be expensive. Public health care varies across South Africa, and standards of treatment and hygiene may not be the same as you would expect in the UK.
For further information please visit the South African Department of Health website.
You must ensure you have private healthcare cover for South Africa. You should do your own research to find the scheme that is right for you.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or you are able to obtain it when in South Africa. Certain medicines may not be available in South Africa (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to South Africa to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in South Africa
If you are planning to work in South Africa, you will need a visa. Work visas are normally only issued to foreigners where South African citizens with the relevant skills are not available for appointment. This can mean it is difficult to get a work visa in South Africa if you do not have a scarce skill.
If you are the spouse of a South African citizen or permanent residence holder, you can apply for a work endorsement permit at VFS Global South Africa. If successful, the work endorsement permit gives you permission to work in South Africa. You will need this in addition to your relative’s visa, which gives you the right to live in South Africa.
Read the South Africa government’s guidance on working in South Africa as a foreign national and how to get a visa.
To apply for a visa you may need to provide:
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UK police certificate not older than 6 months
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offer or contract of employment
Studying in South Africa
The education system is divided into two: basic education and higher education. Basic education includes primary and secondary schools. Higher education includes technical, vocational and academic education and training (colleges) and universities. For more information on laws, policies and governance, see the Department of Education.
South Africa has public and private schools. There are also international schools that teach the UK curriculum. Here is a list of international schools in South Africa.
If you plan to study in South Africa, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant education provider in South Africa to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with South Africa so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in South Africa. You can find a lawyer in South Africa.
Read guidance on:
Benefits
UK Benefits
Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in South Africa.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you are abroad for more than 4 weeks. Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
South African benefits
For South African benefits, you should check if you are eligible on the government’s website.
Pensions
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in South Africa, you can claim:
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your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information
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check if you are eligible for South African pension
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ form from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
The South African Reserve Bank is the central bank of South Africa and it is primarily responsible for overseeing banks. South Africa is home to various types of banking institutions. These include locally controlled banks, mutual banks, co-operative banks, international banks and foreign banks. Standard Bank, Absa, First National Bank, Nedbank, Capitec Bank, Investec and Mercantile Bank are among the major banking institutions in South Africa, offering a range of services to clients locally and internationally.
Banknotes and coins are used daily for transactions. You can use your foreign card to access cash and make transactions before you open a bank account in South Africa. MasterCard and Visa cards are widely accepted, but American Express cards are less common.
Opening a resident bank account
You will need to provide the bank with copies of:
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valid passport
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work or study permit
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proof of address in South Africa such as a utility bill
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three months bank statement
Accommodation and buying property
The South African property market adheres to a land registration system in which every piece of real estate is displayed on a map and ownership is recorded in one of the regionally located Deeds Registries.
If you are buying property you should speak to a home loan expert about seeking pre-approval for a mortgage. Home loan experts help you liaise with banks and financial institutions. Foreigners on temporary residence permits in South Africa do not usually qualify for a 100% mortgage from financial institutions. Some of the leading home loan experts include Ooba, BetterBond and SA Home Loans.
You can find a lawyer in South Africa to assist with buying property.
There are no restrictions on foreign national’s ownership of property in South Africa, except for illegal immigrants.
Driving in South Africa
Visitors and short-term residents can drive in South Africa with a valid UK photo card driving licence. If you only have a paper licence, you should also get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you travel.
Permanent residents must apply for a local licence. You must convert your UK driver’s licence within the first year of receiving permanent resident status.
If you are asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office, eg the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
The Department of Transport website has information on driving in South Africa. You can also read our guidance on:
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what you need to drive abroad
The British High Commission does not issue letters confirming the authenticity of UK driver’s licences. However, the DVLA in the UK can issue a letter of entitlement.
Should you require confirmation of your driving licence details, contact DVLA to request a certificate of entitlement.
You can write to DVLA:
DVLA: Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency
DVRE D9
Morriston
Swansea, SA6 7JL
United Kingdom
Find out more about DVLA online services. You can view or share your driving licence information.
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in South Africa, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
You can apply for a disabled parking card in South Africa at your local municipal traffic department. Each province has different procedures with regards to the application for parking permits for persons with disabilities.
Voting
You cannot vote in South Africa’s elections. Only after obtaining South African citizenship, you are eligible to vote.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in South Africa, you should register the birth in South Africa. Home Affairs will issue an unabridged birth certificate. This can be used for all official purposes in the UK, including applying for a British passport for your child, providing they are otherwise eligible for British citizenship.
You do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities. But if you wish, you can apply for a consular birth registration.
Please note that children born in South Africa are not automatically entitled to South African citizenship. If you need advice about British or South African citizenship for your child, you may find it useful to speak to a lawyer.
Deaths
If someone dies in South Africa, read our guidance on:
If you decide to hold a funeral or cremation in South Africa, you can refer to the list of funeral directors in South Africa.
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Find out about notarial and documentary services in South Africa.
Pets
If you want to import live animals, you must apply for a veterinary import permit.
See guidance on importing animals into South Africa.
Please note that the British High Commission Pretoria cannot recommend one provider over another. You are advised to do your own research to find the agency that is right for you.
Emergencies
Dial the 10111 or 112 number for the police, ambulance or fire brigade and 082 911 for sea rescue.
If you need guidance on child abduction, read the guidance on international parental child abduction.
Dial 10111 to report a missing child.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in South Africa, read the guidance on what to do and where to get support in cases of rape and sexual assault.
If you are the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission Pretoria.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently, which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
The South African Reserve Bank offers information to persons wishing to emigrate from South Africa.
Updates to this page
Last updated 17 May 2023 + show all updates
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Living in South Africa guide reviewed to update the layout and include more information on passports and travel; health care; visas and residency; studying and working in South Africa; tax, benefits and pension; money and banking; driving; voting; births deathd, marriage and civil partnership; pets; emergencies and returning to the UK.
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Information added about vaccines.
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Amended 8 January 2017
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First published.