Thanks to digitisation, banking in South Africa is no longer the major hassle it used to be. Now, banking is fast, convenient and easily accessible – even for non-residents in South Africa. Where previously our exchange control differentiated between South African residents and non-residents, there are no longer the same limitations on the types of accounts that non-residents can hold in South Africa, which makes it much easier for you to get a grip on managing your money moves between two countries after you’ve relocated from South Africa.
Banking in South Africa
Let’s take a look at what you need to know about banking in South Africa from overseas as a non-resident:
When our National Treasury implemented changes to personal taxation and exchange control rules and began phasing out the South African Reserve Bank process of formal emigration, constraints on non-resident banking were eased at the same time. Now, cross-border banking no longer differentiates between resident and non-resident when moving money out of SA as both will be treated equally in having to meet certain tax requirements for international transfers.
This distinction between resident and non-resident was done away with in order to reduce the administrative headache for emigrants and make international transactions less onerous while they are still settling into their new home countries.
Resident vs non-resident in South Africa: how to tell the difference
- A South African resident is someone who, for tax purposes, meets all the requirements of the ordinarily resident and/or physically present tests set down in the Income Tax Act, which is applied by the South African Revenue Service.
- A non-resident is, accordingly, someone who does not meet those requirements. A resident can become a non-resident for tax purposes by completing the process of tax emigration, or by the application of a Double Taxation Agreement.
Read more about how SARS uses the ordinarily resident and physical presence tests to determine tax residency here.
Cross-border banking in South Africa
When it comes to moving money out of South Africa, both residents and non-residents will face the same tax verification process, through which they must show that they are an individual in good standing with SARS, and that they can verify the legitimacy of the source of the funds that they wish to move across South African borders.
Can non-residents have bank accounts in South Africa?
Yes! Even though you no longer live in South Africa, you might still need a bank account as a non-resident for a number of reasons. Where previously non-residents could only hold Blocked Rand Accounts with limited transactional capabilities, such restrictions are no longer relevant. Now, non-residents can apply for transactional accounts that make it easy to handle your transactional requirements back in South Africa, from just about anywhere in the world. Some banks are looking to welcome as much foreign currency as they can, and have made it easy for non-residents to save and invest with them while providing forex capabilities to easily facilitate cross-border money moves.
What would a non-resident need a bank account for in South Africa?
Even if you do not live in South Africa, you might still need a bank account if you want to:
- Move money out of South Africa: a local non-resident bank account is the only legal vehicle through which funds can be transferred abroad.
- Access financial assets from South Africa: Transferring the proceeds of retirement annuities, pensions or provident funds can only be done through a non-resident account.
- Transact in South Africa: funds in this account can be used in South Africa through a non-resident account. (e.g: funding return visits, upkeep of immovable property)
How to open a non-resident bank account in South Africa from overseas
Each bank has its own specific set of requirements when it comes to dealing with South Africans who have relocated abroad, but it’s generally accepted that you must be over the age of 18 (i.e.: you must have contractual capacity) and you must be able to provide the following:
- Proof that you have ceased tax residency in South Africa or completed the formal emigration process via the South African Reserve Bank
- Proof of identity and residence Bank statements for at least three months
- Proof of income
Quick question: Where can I open a bank account online in South Africa?
If you’ve got an internet connection and a secure browser we can assist you in the opening of a non-resident bank account in South Africa.
We’re here to make it easy for you to manage your financial interests in South Africa from anywhere in the world. Leave us your contact details, and we’ll be in touch to start the process.
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