South Africa
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities on earth and, for hard-currency earners, one of the best value. Add the Garden Route, the Winelands, safari within a day's drive and a nomad scene that swells every northern winter.
Entry and visas
Citizens of the US, UK, most EU states, Canada, Australia and others receive 90 days visa-free on arrival (some countries get 30). South Africa announced a remote work visa in 2024 with an income threshold around one million rand a year; implementation has been gradual. Extensions beyond 90 days are slow and should be applied for early.
| Passport | Category | Max days | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Visa-free 90 days on arrival; extensions must be applied for well before expiry through VFS. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| GB | Visa-free 90 days on arrival; extensions must be applied for well before expiry through VFS. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| DE | Visa-free 90 days on arrival; extensions must be applied for well before expiry through VFS. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| CA | Visa-free 90 days on arrival; extensions must be applied for well before expiry through VFS. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| AU | Visa-free 90 days on arrival; extensions must be applied for well before expiry through VFS. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
Remote work and long stays
Remote Work Visitor visa (up to 365 days): Announced in 2024 for remote workers earning at least ZAR 1 million a year; rollout has been gradual and processing slow. official source ↗ Official eligibility verification required
Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Entry rules are research summaries with their official source and the date we last checked them; they are not eligibility decisions. Check the official page before you travel. Open the Visa & Work Finder →
Safety
Crime rates are high nationally, but the areas visitors use in Cape Town are heavily policed and most long-stayers live normally with basic precautions: no walking alone at night in the city centre, use Uber, keep valuables out of sight, and never leave anything visible in a car. Hike Table Mountain in groups and avoid isolated trails.
Official advisory: South Africa - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, ). UK FCDO advice ↗
Health
Private healthcare is world-class; public hospitals are overstretched. Cape Town is malaria-free; Kruger and the northeast are not. Load-shedding (scheduled power cuts) has eased but may return.
Money
Cards and tap-to-pay everywhere, including market stalls via SnapScan and Zapper. ATMs are plentiful; use machines inside banks or malls.
Tipping: 10 to 15 percent in restaurants; small tips for car guards and petrol attendants · Tap water: Safe in Cape Town and major cities
Getting around
Uber and Bolt are the safe default in cities; the MyCiTi bus works in Cape Town. Intercity buses (Intercape, Greyhound) and cheap flights (FlySafair, LIFT) cover the country. A hire car is the normal way to do the Garden Route.
SIMs and connectivity
Vodacom and MTN have the best coverage; registration (RICA) requires passport and proof of address, which hostels can provide.
