Living in South Africa
Information about moving to, living or retiring in South Africa – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in South Africa
Help from the South African government
For any questions about moving to or living in South Africa, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British High Commission in Pretoria cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in South Africa.
Professional help in South Africa
You can also get help from professionals in South Africa, including:
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lawyers
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notaries
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translators
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funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for South Africa to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit South Africa. This includes the latest information on:
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visas and entry requirements
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laws and cultural differences
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safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for South Africa before you travel.
Visas
If you want to stay in South Africa for more than 90 days, you must apply for the appropriate visa.
You can get a visa to:
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work
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study
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retire
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live with or visit family in South Africa
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volunteer
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do research
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get medical treatment
If you want to extend your visa, contact VFS global, South Africa’s official visa partner, or the South African Department of Home Affairs.
For more information, read guidance on:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in South Africa.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read the South African government’s guidance on applying for permanent residency.
Citizenship
South Africa recognises dual citizenship with the UK. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a South African citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for South African citizenship:
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read guidance on applying for South African citizenship
Help with visa and residency applications
The British High Commission in Pretoria cannot help with South African visa and residency applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Passports
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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apply for a British passport from abroad
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travel urgently without your British passport
Healthcare in South Africa
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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plan your healthcare
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take medicine abroad
South Africa does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from private healthcare providers.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
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contact your insurance provider
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read guidance on health in South Africa
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contact the South African Department of Health
Working in South Africa
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in South Africa, you need a work visa. The South African Department of Home Affairs explains the different work visas available to you.
You can apply for a work visa through South Africa’s official visa partner, VFS global.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in South Africa, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Driving in South Africa
Read our guidance on moving, living and retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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drive abroad legally
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take your UK vehicle abroad
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get driving licence letters
For information on driving in South Africa, including driving licence rules, read about road travel in South Africa, in safety and security in the travel advice for South Africa.
The South African government provide information on driving in South Africa, including how to:
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for a disabled parking card in South Africa at your local municipal traffic department.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in South Africa, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with South Africa so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the South African Revenue Service for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in South Africa. To do this, find a lawyer in South Africa.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
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how to claim your UK State Pension
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where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a South African pension
Contact the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to find out whether you can claim a South African pension.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming South African benefits
Contact the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to find out whether you can claim benefits in South Africa.
Buying and renting property in South Africa
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Contact a lawyer in South Africa if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in South Africa
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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vote in UK elections from abroad
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register as an overseas voter
South African elections
You cannot vote in South African elections unless you hold South African citizenship.
Studying in South Africa
If you plan to study in South Africa, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
For more information:
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read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
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read guidance on tertiary (higher) education in South Africa
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contact your higher education provider in South Africa or the UK
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contact the South African Department of Higher Education and Training
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
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getting permission to take your child abroad
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claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
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child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The South African Department of Basic Education provides information about the schooling system in South Africa.
All children aged 7 to 15 must attend school or home school in South Africa.
For more information, read the South African government’s guidance on:
Childcare
The South African Department for Basic Education is responsible for early childhood development (ECD) in South Africa.
The provincial education departments are responsible for overseeing childcare and ECD centres in the South African provinces.
For more information, including ECD policies and laws, visit the ECD Information Hub.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in South Africa, register the birth with the South African authorities.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
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apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
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what to do after someone dies abroad
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how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in South Africa, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
You can also read the South African government’s guidance on getting married in South Africa.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The South African government offers guidance on how to get a divorce in South Africa.
Consider taking legal advice from a lawyer in South Africa.
Documents for British people in South Africa
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
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legalising and certifying UK documents
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marriage and civil partnership documents
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affirmations and affidavits
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witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find a lawyer, translator or notary in South Africa, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to South Africa, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the South African authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.
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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.