Introduction South Africa, with its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and diverse wildlife, has long been a favourite destination for British tourists seeking a getaway from the everyday. Many British have gone a step further by investing in holiday homes in the picturesque city of Cape Town. While owning a piece of paradise in the Mother City is undeniably appealing, there’s another opportunity that’s been gaining traction among British nationals – obtaining a Financially Independent Permit in South Africa. In this blog post, we’ll explore the numerous benefits of acquiring such a permit ..read more

For expatriates in South Africa worried about their banking services being interrupted, if you want to ensure your banking services are not impacted, you need to understand the Crucial Role of Valid FICA Documentation in Your South African Banking Services. Each and every day at Prestige Immigration we speak to expatriates in South Africa whose banking services have been interrupted or shut down, because of their inability to provide the bank with valid FICA documents.  This can lead to severe disruption to people’s lives, impacting their ability to manage their day-to-day affairs, make ..read more

Introduction For foreign business owners looking to establish their presence in South Africa, a valid business visa can be a game-changer. Not only does it grant legal authorization for business operations, but it also opens doors to a range of essential services, including banking. In this blog, we’ll explore how having a valid business visa facilitates access to banking services and why it’s crucial for business success in South Africa. 1. Legitimacy and trust A valid business visa lends legitimacy to your business activities in South Africa. When you approach local banks with a recogniz ..read more

Introduction: For individuals who want to stay and work long-term in South Africa, securing permanent residence has become an increasingly vital avenue to explore. Over the past decade, the South African Critical Skills Visa (CSV) program has undergone multiple changes, adapting to the nation’s evolving economic needs. As a result, individuals who initially qualified for the critical skills list may find that their qualifications no longer meet the updated criteria. This article emphasizes the importance of pursuing permanent residence for those eligible, providing stability and security in an ..read more

Prestige MD and Co-Founder, Christine Mutsau, was interviewed by Clement Manyathela on Newzroom Afrika on 1 July 2023, about the impact of the recent court ruling on ZEP Permit Holders. South African Government Loses ZEP Cancellation Case, ZEP Holders Should Still Apply for Long-Term Visas and Work with Prestige Immigration. Clement Manyathela interviews Christine and Prestige Immigration Services Clients: Calvin Kanyoli – Kany Branding Munyaradzi Mpofu – Kingdom Blue Both former and current ZEP business permit holders, who reached out to work with Prestige and took proactive action ..read more

For any expat wanting to operate a business in SA, they cannot fully operate their business without having the correct visa, that is, a business visa. Without a business visa, there is high risk for you as an expat as: You cannot independently run the business or invest in an existing business in SA You risk losing investments and/or profits already made The business cannot comply with statutory regulations which negatively impact the business, with the potential for extremely expensive fines You may need to resort to the use of “fronts” to get operations going/keep them going, at the risk ..read more

Finally, the long-awaited critical skills list was officially gazetted and has taken effect from 1 February 2022.   What does this mean for you as a new applicant? The previous 2014 list is no longer applicable For any new applications starting from 1 February 2022, the new list will be used There is no longer the 12-month critical skills visa to seek employment, one needs to apply for the visa from the onset with an offer of employment If you currently have a 12 month-visa to look for employment, confirmation of employment must be in line with the new 2022 critical skills list Wha ..read more

Starting a business in SA as an expat is not only about having a registered business, but also having the necessary visa/permit allowing you to operate and work in your own business in SA legally.   Whilst any foreigner may own a business with no restrictions in South Africa, should they intend to work within that business or come to live in South Africa and actively operate the business, a Business Visa will be required. Immediately thereafter, they can apply for permanent residency if their intention is to stay in SA permanently.    Now most foreigners get past the process o ..read more

With Six months left for the grace period to lapse, many ZEP permit holders still find themselves either not having obtained the new visas they applied for and still waiting for the outcome, or simply not having acted and applied for the relevant visa.   What is certain is that for a ZEP permit holder, if your intention is to continue legally residing in SA beyond December 2022, not having a longer term visa/permit at this stage, or at least having submitted an application for a mainstream visa, has many repercussions, despite the extension and grace period granted by the Minister until ..read more

Are you a ZEP Business Permit holder, and are battling to migrate to the mainstream business visa maybe because: You have not invested R5 million into the country which is required for a mainstream business visa, or You do not have all the necessary documents needed for a business visa application, such as your statutory registration requirements (UIF, COIDA, etc); or maybe You do not meet the minimum threshold of 60% SA citizen/permanent residents employees? Well, the good news is that, as a person who has been legally operating a business in SA on a ZEP Business Permit over the years ..read more