South Africa
Non-Resident Banking
Looking to do your banking in South Africa while living in another country? We have the one-stop solution for you.
Some of the benefits
Specialised services
As a non-resident, you can easily apply for a transactional account, savings and investment account, or a loan
Online banking
Manage your assets and financial interest in South Africa online, wherever you are in the world
Low cost
Pay no VAT on banking fees as long as you’re living and transacting outside of South Africa
Convenience
Switch your account to a local financial solution at your nearest branch when you visit South Africa
What we can offer you
Cards and accounts
- Bank the way you want to with our Non-Resident bank accounts
- Handle your day-to-day banking, savings, investments, loans and forex with one of our international bank accounts (Foreign Currency account)
- Reach your medium- to long-term goals with our Savings and Investment accounts
- Shop at millions of merchants worldwide with one of our Credit Cards
Value-added services
- Buy, send, store or receive foreign exchange
Help emigrating
South Africans may only open a Non-Resident bank account once they’ve formally emigrated. However, you can open a Foreign Currency account before you leave the country.
If you’re still in the process of emigrating from South Africa, we can also help you with exchange control law compliance if you complete and send the following forms to [email protected]
You’ll also need to provide us with:
- Tax clearance certificate
- Certified copy of your passport
- Certificate of Citizenship or Permanent Residency
- Documents of title pertaining to all your South African owned assets
For a better understanding of everything, you’ll need to take up residence in any country outside the Common Monetary Area*. You can also download our guide to emigration.
*South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and eSwatini
What it costs
The bank fees you’ll pay depends on the type of account you choose and the type of transactions you make.
- Annual fee for safe custody and share-related transactions: R447
- Mail and electronic applications fee: R410 per hour or part thereof
- Renewals fee: R1 050
- Handling fee inheritance by non-resident/emigrant to cover cost of documents, wills, and distribution lists: R230
- Outward International Payments (excluding travel related transactions) sent to parties outside the Common Monetary Area ‒ foreign currency and Rand: 0.50%
See 2020 pricing guide
See 2021 pricing guide
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
To start banking with us as a non-resident
- Valid passport
- Proof of address not older than 3 months
- 3 months’ statements from your offshore bank
You’ll also need to send the following forms to [email protected]
FAQs
Can I open an account for foreign currency?
Yes. You check your eligibility on our international bank accounts page and we’ll be in touch.
How do I update my information once I have a Non-Resident account?
Send an email to [email protected]and we’ll assist you.
Can I open a savings and investment account?
Yes, we have a range of options available to you. You can easily apply online for one of our Savings and Investment accounts
Can I open a Non-Resident bank account at any South African branch?
Yes, if you bring all the required documents with you.
Can Standard Bank offer any help if I’m planning to emigrate from South Africa?
Yes, we can help you with the emigration process.
-
What we can offer you
-
Help emigrating
-
What it costs
-
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
-
FAQs
Cards and accounts
- Bank the way you want to with our Non-Resident bank accounts
- Handle your day-to-day banking, savings, investments, loans and forex with one of our international bank accounts (Foreign Currency account)
- Reach your medium- to long-term goals with our Savings and Investment accounts
- Shop at millions of merchants worldwide with one of our Credit Cards
Value-added services
- Buy, send, store or receive foreign exchange
South Africans may only open a Non-Resident bank account once they’ve formally emigrated. However, you can open a Foreign Currency account before you leave the country.
If you’re still in the process of emigrating from South Africa, we can also help you with exchange control law compliance if you complete and send the following forms to [email protected]
You’ll also need to provide us with:
- Tax clearance certificate
- Certified copy of your passport
- Certificate of Citizenship or Permanent Residency
- Documents of title pertaining to all your South African owned assets
For a better understanding of everything, you’ll need to take up residence in any country outside the Common Monetary Area*. You can also download our guide to emigration.
*South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and eSwatini
The bank fees you’ll pay depends on the type of account you choose and the type of transactions you make.
- Annual fee for safe custody and share-related transactions: R447
- Mail and electronic applications fee: R410 per hour or part thereof
- Renewals fee: R1 050
- Handling fee inheritance by non-resident/emigrant to cover cost of documents, wills, and distribution lists: R230
- Outward International Payments (excluding travel related transactions) sent to parties outside the Common Monetary Area ‒ foreign currency and Rand: 0.50%
See 2020 pricing guide
See 2021 pricing guide
To start banking with us as a non-resident
- Valid passport
- Proof of address not older than 3 months
- 3 months’ statements from your offshore bank
You’ll also need to send the following forms to [email protected]
Can I open an account for foreign currency?
Yes. You check your eligibility on our international bank accounts page and we’ll be in touch.
How do I update my information once I have a Non-Resident account?
Send an email to [email protected]and we’ll assist you.
Can I open a savings and investment account?
Yes, we have a range of options available to you. You can easily apply online for one of our Savings and Investment accounts
Can I open a Non-Resident bank account at any South African branch?
Yes, if you bring all the required documents with you.
Can Standard Bank offer any help if I’m planning to emigrate from South Africa?
Yes, we can help you with the emigration process.
We also offer
Flexible Funeral Plan
Get the flexible plan that meets your needs and fits your lifestyle and pocket.
Savings and investment accounts
Grow your money the way you choose to, with the help of high interest-earning accounts designed to meet a variety of personal needs, preferences and goals.
International Payments
Grow your business into what you aspire it to be while we take care of your cross-border transactions.