5 Countries That Give You Permanent Residency on Day One for Free
August 1, 2024
Some of the world’s most valuable permanent residence permits require no investment at all. James Nuveen explores five great examples.
South Africa Financial Independent Permit
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Program Type:
Independent Means Visa
Processing Time:
8 months
Citizenship Timeline:
8 years
Permanent Residency Timeline:
Upon approval
Physical Presence Required:
1 day per 3 years
Citizenship Visa-Free Access:
105 countries
Minimum Contribution:
ZAR120,000
On This Page
Program Overview
South Africa Financial Independent Permit
South Africa grants immediate permanent residency (without expiry) to individuals who can demonstrate a personal net worth exceeding ZAR 12 million (about US640,000 in June 2023) and who pay a ZAR 120,000 processing fee.
Processing typically takes around 8 months. The applicant needs only minimal physical presence in South Africa to retain the PR, but will need to reside full-time in the country if desiring to naturalize after eight years.
South Africa Financial Independent Permit
How to Qualify
Applicants must prove they have a net worth of at least ZAR 12 million (about US$640,000 in June 2023), and pay a processing fee of ZAR 120,000 (about US$6,400).
Additionally, applicants must not:
- Be a “prohibited or undesirable person”
- Have a criminal record
- Have been refused entry into South Africa
- Have entered or stayed illegally in South Africa
Applicants can include a spouse (or common law spouse), children up to the age of 21, as well as older but mentally/physically handicapped children in their applications.
Applicants must take up residency in South Africa within one year of approval or lose their PR. They must also visit South Africa at least once every 3 years.
South Africa Financial Independent Permit
Salient Benefits
- No investment required
- Path to citizenship
- Permits dual/multiple citizenship
- Lower cost of living
- Warm climate
South Africa Financial Independent Permit
Citizenship Timeline and Requirements
Those approved for the South Africa Financial Independent Permit receive immediate permanent residency in the country. PR in South Africa is valid indefinitely and needs not be renewed.
Adults who have resided in South Africa for a time sufficient to “confirm they understand the official languages, customs, and traditions of the country and the reponsibilities of citizenship.”
In practice, applicants must have been permanent residents in the country for five years and, moreover, that they have resided in the country for a cumulative four years out of the last eight years.
The Minister of Home Affairs may, at his or her discretion, naturalize individuals who have “exceptional circumstances” without meeting the above requirements.
Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.
South Africa Financial Independent Permit
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Applications for this program may be directed to South Africa Department of Home Affairs.
Legislation upon which this program is based Section 27 (f) of the Immigration Act of 2022.
South Africa Financial Independent Permit
IMI Pros Who Can Help You
South Africa Financial Independent Permit
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South Africa Financial Independent Permit
Program Statistics
See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.