South Africa offers some of the world's most dramatic scenery, from Table Mountain and the Cape winelands to safari parks and wild coastlines. Cape Town has one of the largest remote-work communities in the southern hemisphere, and Johannesburg is the continent's business powerhouse. The rand makes life affordable for those earning in foreign currency, and a remote work visa covers people employed by foreign companies. Crime is a real concern, so neighbourhood choice, security and local advice matter more than almost anywhere else.

• A remote work visa for people employed abroad, for up to three years

• Affordable living for foreign earners, with excellent food and wine

• Mountains, coastlines, safari parks and winelands

South Africa is affordable for foreign earners, though safe, well-located housing costs more. Eating out and wine are excellent value.

Fibre from providers such as Openserve and Vumatel is available in most city neighbourhoods, and Vodacom and MTN offer good mobile coverage. Power cuts (load-shedding) have eased but can return, so a battery backup or inverter is useful.

English is widely spoken, and South Africans are friendly and outgoing.

Choose your neighbourhood carefully, avoid walking alone at night, keep valuables out of sight and use ride-hailing apps. Ask locals for current advice.

Uber and Bolt are widely used, Johannesburg has the Gautrain, and domestic flights link the main cities. A car gives the most freedom.

Varies by region

Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters, while Johannesburg has warm summers with afternoon storms and dry, sunny winters. Seasons are reversed.

Most Western passports enter visa-free for 90 days, and a second group gets 30 days; passports need two blank pages. People employed abroad earning ZAR 650,796 a year can apply for the remote work visa of up to three years.

• High crime rates and occasional power supply issues

• National destination informationNational tourism board2026-10-07

Last reviewed 2026-10-07