UnivEase

    Visa Guide · 🇿🇦 South Africa

    South Africa Business Visa from Bangladesh

    Long Term Visa for foreign entrepreneurs establishing, investing in, and actively working in a South African business.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The South Africa Business Visa is a Long Term Visa for Bangladeshi nationals and eligible residents who intend to establish a business in South Africa or invest in an existing South African business and be employed in that business. The application must demonstrate a genuine investment, a viable business model and a contribution to South Africa’s national interest.

    The general prescribed capital benchmark is R5 million, unless the requirement is formally reduced or waived for a qualifying business or industry. A recommendation from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) is required, together with the applicable accountant verification and workforce commitments. Applications from Bangladesh are submitted through VFS Global New Delhi. 

    Document Checklist

    1. Passport (Original): Original passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure from South Africa, with at least two unused/blank visa pages. Submit the current passport together with the required copies.
    2. Previous Passport(s) & Travel History: Full clear copies of previous passports, including relevant visa and immigration pages, where available. Travel history should be disclosed consistently with the application and supporting records.
    3. Photograph (South Africa Visa Format): Provide 1 recent colour passport photograph, 35mm x 45mm, taken within the last 30 days against a plain white background and meeting the current South Africa VFS photo specifications.
    4. DHA-1738 Visa Application Form: Fully completed Form DHA-1738 in black ink and block letters, signed by the applicant with details consistent with the passport and supporting documents.
    5. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter explaining whether the application is to establish a new business or invest in an existing business, the proposed role, investment basis and intended period in South Africa. It should include the applicant’s home address and contact details.
    6. Personal Bank Statements: Recently bank-certified personal bank statements for the last 6 months showing sufficient financial means and remaining consistent with the applicant’s declared investment and funding arrangements.
    7. Capital Verification by Registered Accountant: A certificate from a South African registered chartered or professional accountant confirming the prescribed investment capital. The general benchmark is R5 million in cash or qualifying cash and capital contribution, unless a formal reduction or waiver applies.
    8. The dtic Business Visa Recommendation: A recommendation from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition confirming its assessment of the business feasibility and contribution to South Africa’s national interest. The current recommendation process is submitted through the dtic Visa Recommendation System.
    9. Business Plan / Investment Supporting Records: Provide the business, investment and supporting records used to substantiate the proposed venture, capital contribution and feasibility assessment. Where relevant, include CIPC or other business-registration evidence.
    10. 60% South African Workforce Requirement: For a new business, provide the required undertaking that at least 60% of the total staff complement will be South African citizens or permanent residents employed permanently in various positions. For an existing business, provide evidence of current compliance.
    11. Registration Undertakings / Evidence: Provide the required undertaking or proof of registration with SARS, the Unemployment Insurance Fund, Compensation Fund, CIPC where legally required, and any relevant professional body, board or council applicable to the business.
    12. Existing Business Financial Records: Where the applicant has already established or invested in an existing South African business, provide the preceding financial year’s financial statements together with credible proof of the investment made.
    13. Police Clearance Certificate: Provide police clearance certificates from countries where the applicant resided for more than 12 months during the 5 years preceding the application. The certificate should meet the current validity requirements at the time of submission.
    14. Medical Report: Submit the prescribed medical report in original. The medical report should reflect the applicant’s general state of health and meet the current validity requirements.
    15. Civil Status Documents: Provide marriage, divorce, death, parental responsibility, consent, adoption, legal separation or other civil-status records where these are relevant to the applicant’s circumstances.
    16. Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh. 

    Process Roadmap

    Step 1

    Define the Business & Investment Model

    Confirm whether the applicant will establish a new South African business or invest in an existing one, and clearly define the ownership, role, investment and operational plan.

    Step 2

    Confirm the Capital & Sector Position

    Check the R5 million investment benchmark and determine whether the proposed sector may qualify for a formally approved capital reduction or waiver.

    Step 3

    Secure the Accountant & the dtic Evidence

    Prepare the accountant’s investment verification and complete the dtic recommendation process addressing business feasibility and contribution to national interest.

    Step 4

    Build the Employment & Registration Commitments

    Prepare the 60% South African workforce undertaking or compliance evidence together with the required SARS, UIF, Compensation Fund, CIPC and professional-registration records.

    Step 5

    Complete DHA-1738 & Long-Term Records

    Complete DHA-1738 and add the required passport, funds, police clearance, civil-status, existing-business and other supporting documents relevant to the case.

    Step 6

    Lodge the File at VFS New Delhi

    A prior appointment is currently not required. Submit the complete application through VFS New Delhi and pay the applicable visa and VFS charges through the prescribed process.

    Step 7

    Track the Decision & Plan Post-Grant Compliance

    Follow available VFS updates and, if approved, check the visa conditions and complete any post-grant workforce or registration obligations within the prescribed period.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    The investment capital is not properly verified

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the accountant certification and supporting investment records needed to demonstrate the prescribed capital position.

    The required dtic recommendation is missing or unsupported

    How UnivEase helps

    We help clarify the feasibility, investment and national-interest evidence that should support the required dtic recommendation process.

    The 60% workforce requirement is overlooked

    How UnivEase helps

    We help distinguish the undertaking required for a new business from the compliance evidence expected for an existing South African business.

    Business registrations or existing-company records are incomplete

    How UnivEase helps

    We provide checklist-based guidance on SARS, UIF, Compensation Fund, CIPC, professional registration, financial statements and proof of investment.

    VFS & Embassy

    Embassy

    South African High Commission, New Delhi
    Address: B-18 Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057, India.
    Telephone: +91-11-2614 9411-14
    Immigration Queries: Infoza.india@vfshelpline.com
    Website: Click Here
    Working Hours: Monday to Thursday, 08:30-17:00; Friday, 08:30-14:15.
    Consular & Immigration Section: Monday to Friday, 08:30-12:30. 

    Visa Application Centre

    South Africa Visa Application Centre, New Delhi
    Address: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001, India.
    Helpline: 02267866066 (Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00)
    Website: Click Here
    Submission Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00-16:00. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Prepare your South Africa Business Visa around a credible investment and a clearly documented business plan.

    Get clear guidance on capital requirements, the dtic recommendation, workforce obligations, supporting documents, fees, VFS New Delhi submission and passport-return steps before you apply.

    WhatsApp a Consultant Now