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Exercise a high degree of caution
Exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa due to the significant level of serious crime.
South Africa
Twelve official languages, including South African Sign Language, echo across coasts, highveld, and winelands, shaping South Africa’s mosaic of regional identities and city life.
Overview
South Africa’s diversity is tangible—from Cape Town’s Atlantic breezes to Johannesburg’s urban pulse, Durban’s subtropical sprawl, and the bushveld’s open horizons. Each province brings its own flavor, language, and pace, making regional comparison essential for relocation planning.
At a glance
Languages
- Afrikaans(Official)
- English(Official)
- Northern Sotho(Official)
- Sotho(Official)
- South African Sign Language(Official)
- Southern Ndebele(Official)
- Swati(Official)
- Tsonga(Official)
- Tswana(Official)
- Venda(Official)
- Xhosa(Official)
- Zulu(Official)
Population62,027,503
CurrencySouth African Rand (ZAR)
1 ZAR = 0.0612 USD
1 USD = 16.3331 ZAR
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerStronger local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of LifeStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
SafetyLimitedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
HealthcareGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
PollutionModerateSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
TrafficHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Investor, Work (Employer-Sponsored), Permanent Residency, and 5 more.
Investor
- Business Visa
Business visa for foreigners establishing or investing in a business in South Africa.
- Limited work rights
Work (Employer-Sponsored)
- Critical Skills Work Visa
Critical skills work visa for applicants in occupations on South Africa's Critical Skills List who hold a valid job offer or employment contract.
- 5 years, renewable
- Employer-sponsored only
Permanent Residency
- Financially Independent Permit
Permanent residence route for financially independent applicants who meet the prescribed minimum net-worth threshold.
Department of Home Affairs permanent-residency guidance page covering categories including five years on a work visa with a permanent-employment offer, financially independent applicants, and qualifying family relationships.
Digital Nomad
- Remote Work Visa
Remote-work visitor visa for foreigners who stay in South Africa to perform work for a foreign employer under contract. The official requirements say holders are not entitled to take up employment in South Africa.
- 3 years
- Remote/foreign employment only
Retirement
- Retired Person Visa
Retired person visa for retirees intending to live in South Africa for limited or seasonal periods.
- No work rights
Student
- Study Visa
Study visa for foreigners taking up studies in South Africa.
- No work rights
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- Tourist Entry (Visa-Free)
Visa-free tourist entry for nationals of countries listed on the Department of Home Affairs exempt-countries schedule.
- No work rights
Sources
Languages
- Afrikaans(Official)7,076,000 speakers
- English(Official)4,698,000 speakers
- Northern Sotho(Official)
- Sotho(Official)
- South African Sign Language(Official)
- Southern Ndebele(Official)
- Swati(Official)
- Tsonga(Official)
- Tswana(Official)
- Venda(Official)
- Xhosa(Official)
- Zulu(Official)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for South Africa.
United Kingdom
No destination-wide FCDO travel warning
FCDO travel advice currently has no destination-wide warning for South Africa. Review the full FCDO travel advice before travelling, including safety, entry, health, and insurance guidance.
United States
Level 2Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping. Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking and mugging. There are also "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles.
- Violent crime is more common in the downtown areas of big cities, especially after dark
- Kidnapping is a threat in South Africa
- Kidnappers target U.S. citizens and other foreign travelers to steal money
- Captors often force victims to withdraw cash or give online account passwords before they are let go
- Though rare, some kidnappings involve demanding ransom from families
- There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity, in South Africa
- Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently
They can:
- Start suddenly
- Interrupt traffic, transportation, and other services
- Turn violent
Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in South Africa must obtain special authorization to travel to many informal settlements (townships) in and around Cape Town. U.S. mission staff must use fully armored vehicles when visiting and visiting hours are limited to 10:00 -15:00 weekdays only.
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