The library

Guides to relocating to South Africa

Honest, practical, up-to-date guides to every part of your move — written by people who've done it. 35 guides across visas, cities, money and logistics. Start anywhere, or grab the full free guide.

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Visas & immigration

• South Africa Remote Work Visa (2026)

  Who qualifies, the income requirement, and exactly how to apply for the digital nomad visa.

• South Africa Critical Skills Visa (2026)

  The skills-based work visa that can lead to permanent residence — requirements and how to apply.

• South Africa Work Visa (General Work Visa)

  The main ways to work legally in SA, and how the General Work Visa's labour-market test works.

• Permanent Residence in South Africa

  Every route to PR — work, spouse, retirement, business and financial independence.

• Spousal & Life Partner Visa

  For the partner of a South African — what it allows, proof of relationship, and the PR path.

• Retiring in South Africa

  The retirement visa, income requirements, cost and the best places to settle.

Where to live

• Best Areas to Live in Cape Town

  An honest area-by-area guide for singles, families and remote workers.

• Best Areas to Live in Johannesburg

  Where expats actually settle in Joburg — Sandton, Rosebank, Parkhurst and beyond.

• Best Areas to Live in Durban

  Umhlanga, Ballito, Morningside and the warm-coast suburbs expats choose.

• Cape Town vs Johannesburg for Expats

  Cost, jobs, lifestyle and safety compared — which city should you choose?

• Is Cape Town Still Worth It in 2026?

  An honest, fact-checked read on load-shedding, rents and the reverse-semigration trickle.

Money, cost & tax

• Cost of Living in South Africa

  The national overview — a monthly budget for singles, couples and families, city by city.

• Cost of Living in Cape Town

  Realistic monthly budgets — rent by area, groceries, utilities, schooling and more.

• Cost of Living in Johannesburg

  A real 2026 budget breakdown — rent by suburb, cars, schooling and medical aid.

• Cost of Living in Durban

  SA's most affordable big city — rent by area, budgets and the warm-coast trade-offs.

• South Africa Tax for Expats

  Tax residency, worldwide income, exemptions and the rules that actually matter.

• Financial Emigration vs Tax Emigration

  The difference explained — ceasing tax residency, the exit tax, exchange control and your retirement annuity.

• Moving Money to South Africa

  Getting funds in (FICA source-of-funds), bank vs forex transfers, and the SDA/FIA exchange-control limits.

• Opening a Bank Account as a Foreigner

  Which bank, what documents, and how to beat the proof-of-address catch-22.

Moving from your country

• Moving to South Africa from the UK

  Visas, costs, shipping, schools and admin — the complete UK-to-SA relocation guide.

• Moving to South Africa from the USA

  Visas, the dollar advantage, US tax duties and everything Americans need to know.

• Moving to South Africa from Australia

  Visas, tax, shipping and lifestyle for anyone relocating from Australia.

• Moving to South Africa from Canada

  Visas, the strong-dollar advantage, exit tax and the switch to driving on the left.

• Moving to South Africa from the Netherlands

  Visas, tax, the Afrikaans–Dutch link, shipping from Rotterdam and settling in.

• Moving to South Africa from Germany

  Visas, exit tax, German schools, shipping from Hamburg and the SA-German community.

• Moving to South Africa from France

  Visas, France's exit tax, Lycée Français schooling, shipping from Le Havre and the Huguenot connection.

Logistics & everyday life

• Shipping Your Belongings to South Africa

  Sea vs air, containers, customs duty and whether to ship or sell up and rebuy.

• Relocating Pets to South Africa

  Bringing your dog or cat — permits, vaccinations, flights and timelines.

• Driving in South Africa

  Driving on the left, using a foreign licence, converting to a local one, and road safety.

• SIM Cards & Mobile Internet

  Networks, RICA registration, prepaid vs contract, eSIMs and home fibre — getting connected fast.

• Load-Shedding in South Africa (2026)

  Is it over? The current power situation, load reduction vs load-shedding, and whether you still need backup.

Family, health & safety

• International & Private Schools in Cape Town

  Curricula, the top schools, fees and how the waiting lists really work.

• International School Fees in South Africa (2026)

  What the top international schools in Cape Town, Joburg and Durban actually cost, city by city.

• Healthcare & Medical Aid in South Africa

  Local medical aid vs. international insurance, and the hospitals expats trust.

• Safety in South Africa for Expats

  The real picture — what's overblown, what's real, and how residents live well.