Retiring in South Africa: the visa situation
As of our last check, South Africa offers a dedicated retirement route: the Retired Person Visa.
The income requirement is in the middle of the range we see for retirement visas. Guaranteed monthly income of at least R37,000 (about US$2,000) from a pension, annuity or investments; a minimum net worth of R37,000 is also referenced.
Income must come from a pension, retirement annuity or guaranteed source, not a salary. Available as a temporary Retired Person Visa or directly as permanent residence.
Verified against dha.gov.za, last checked 2026-07-03.
The verified fields
Guaranteed monthly income of at least R37,000 (about US$2,000) from a pension, annuity or investments; a minimum net worth of R37,000 is also referenced.
Income must come from a pension, retirement annuity or guaranteed source, not a salary. Available as a temporary Retired Person Visa or directly as permanent residence.
Before you act on this
Visa rules, income thresholds and processing practice change, sometimes with little notice. This page reflects what we could verify on the dates shown, nothing more. Always confirm the current requirements with the official immigration authority or a licensed immigration adviser before making plans, and treat the linked source as the authority, not us.
See how South Africa scores overall
The visa is one of six axes. RetireScore 75/100, ranked 16 of 40 countries on the default weights.