Global Mobility Solutions
South Africa Global Mobility Services
Compliantly move and pay employees in South Africa.
No in-country entity needed.
Breedj offers global mobility solutions in South Africa. Through the Breedj platform, businesses of all sizes can compliantly relocate and pay local nationals and expats alike.
Our platform provides a range of solutions that simplifies the processes, allowing your business to operate seamlessly and in full compliance with local employment laws.
Moving your employees to South Africa
Moving your employees or business to South Africa requires careful planning and consideration of various factors. South Africa is the second-largest economy in Africa and is home to a diverse and growing population of over 59 million people. The country has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its beautiful landscapes and wildlife.
In terms of the economy, South Africa has a well-developed infrastructure and a diversified industrial base. Key sectors include mining, manufacturing, finance, and tourism. The country is also a member of the BRICS group of emerging economies, which presents opportunities for trade and investment.
While South Africa has undergone significant political and economic reforms over the years, it still faces some challenges related to political stability. However, the country has a strong legal system and an independent judiciary, which provides some assurance to investors and businesses.
South Africa is a multilingual country with 11 official languages, with English being the most commonly spoken language in business and commerce. This diversity can present both opportunities and challenges for organizations considering relocating their employees.
International businesses may want to expand their operations to South Africa for a variety of reasons, including access to a large and growing market, favorable business policies, and a skilled workforce. Additionally, the country has a young and dynamic population, which can bring fresh ideas and perspectives to any organization.
Key immigration facts about South Africa
When it comes to immigration, South Africa has a well-established system in place to manage the influx of foreign workers. The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for processing immigration applications, and there are four main categories of work visas available to foreign nationals seeking employment in the country:
Critical skills work visas: This visa is designed for individuals with critical skills or qualifications that are in short supply in South Africa. Applicants must demonstrate their expertise in a particular field, and this visa is issued for up to five years.
General work visas: This visa is intended for foreign nationals who have secured employment in South Africa. The employer must provide evidence that they have been unable to find a suitably qualified South African citizen for the job. This visa is issued for up to five years.
Intracompany transfer work visas: This visa is available to foreign nationals who are being transferred to South Africa by their current employer. The employer must provide evidence that the employee has been employed for a minimum of six months before the transfer. This visa is issued for up to four years.
Corporate work visas: This visa is designed for companies that need to bring a large number of skilled foreign workers to South Africa. The company must demonstrate that it has made efforts to find suitably qualified South African citizens for the job. This visa is issued for up to three years.
In addition to these work visas, there are also other categories of visas available for foreign nationals, such as study visas, retired person visas, and business visas. It’s important to note that the immigration process in South Africa can be complex and time-consuming, so it’s advisable to seek the assistance of an experienced global mobility partner such as Breedj.
Country fact sheet
South African rand (ZAR)
Pretoria (administrative), Bloemfontein (judicial), and Cape Town (legislative)
60 million (2021)
Southern Africa
GMT+2
There are 11 official languages in SA, including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswana, and others.
Compliance guaranteed
Breedj's local employment expertise in South Africa
By partnering with Breedj, you can eliminate the need to establish an in-country entity, and thus, saving valuable time and resources while benefiting from our local expertise to guarantee full compliance for your business operations.
Our platform has been designed to seamlessly take care of every aspect of the local employment environment, while you focus on your core operations.
Employment contracts
We handle employment contracts for both global employees and contractors.
Guaranteed compliance
Breedj ensures full compliance with your workers' local labor laws.
Global payroll
Our platform ensures accurate and timely international salary payments.
Legal expertise
Leverage Breedj's extensive expertise to navigate diverse employment laws.
Tax & contributions
Breedj handles tax & mandatory contributions as required by local labor laws.
Multiple currencies
Your workers are paid in their local currency, directly to their bank account.
Income Tax in South Africa
Income tax in South Africa is levied on both residents and non-residents. Individuals who are resident in South Africa are subject to tax on their worldwide income, while non-residents are only subject to tax on income from a South African source.
A person cannot be treated as a South African resident for tax purposes if they are considered to be a resident of another country under the “tiebreaker” rules of a double tax treaty applicable to the relevant income item.
The basis of employee taxation in South Africa is remuneration, which includes salary, leave pay, allowances, wages, overtime pay, bonuses, gratuities, pensions, superannuation allowances, retirement allowances, and stipends, whether in cash or otherwise. These payments, along with the cash value of any fringe benefits received, form part of the gross income of an employee. Fringe benefits are taxed in accordance with a schedule of valuations.
Remuneration from employment on extended absences outside South Africa is exempt from tax if the employee is outside South Africa for an aggregate of more than 183 full days in any 12-month period and for at least one continuous period exceeding 60 full days during the same 12-month period.
Professional fees paid to non-residents are subject to employees’ tax withholding (if from a South African source), even if the non-resident is an independent contractor.
It’s important for organizations to be aware of the tax implications of relocating employees to South Africa. Failure to comply with South African tax laws can result in significant financial penalties and legal consequences.
Labor regulations
21 days
Variable
4 months
10 days
Variable
Choose a global mobility platform with a tangible impact.
Become part of a collective effort to shape a more sustainable world and directly contribute to the United Nations Development Goals (SDGs).
VAT in South Africa
Value-added tax (VAT) is a tax on consumption that is levied on most goods and services in South Africa. The standard rate of VAT in South Africa is 15%, which is one of the highest rates in the world. The VAT system in South Africa is administered by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Exports, certain foodstuffs, and other supplies are zero-rated for VAT purposes, meaning that no VAT is charged on these supplies. Certain supplies are exempt from VAT, mainly certain financial services, residential accommodation, and public transport.
It’s important for organizations to be aware of the VAT implications of doing business in South Africa. Failure to comply with South African VAT laws can result in significant financial penalties and legal consequences.
Breedj's platform
54 countries
Africa
Supports multiple currencies
Onboard workers in less than 24 hours
Testimonials
What they say about Breedj
Breedj streamlined our global hiring process, making it easy to find and pay remote talents. Our team loves how the platform handles payments and compliance.
Global expansion simplified
Confidently expand to South Africa
Breedj stands out as the preferred global employment solutions provider for several reasons, offering organizations a competitive edge with a range of scalable global employment solutions.
Cost effective
Drastically reduce administrative and overhead costs related to managing global employees.
100% compliant
Stay up to date with the ever changing global legislations, policies and local labor laws.
Peace of mind
Get direct access to our global employment experts to mitigate legal risks and penalties.
Fast-track market entry
Bypass the complexities associated with establishing a branch office or in-country.
Help emerging countries
Encourage growth and uplift lesser served regions by giving a job to talented remote professionals.
Support United Nations development goals
Directly support at least four sustainable development goals, simply by using our platform.
