South Africa
Non-resident banking
Whether you’re a South African emigrant or a foreign citizen looking to bank in SA from another country, you can bank with us seamlessly across borders.
Some of the benefits
Specialised services
Rely on our non-resident banking experts for help with your specific needs
Online banking
Manage your assets and financial interests in SA securely from anywhere in the world
Low cost
Pay no VAT on banking fees as long as you’re living and transacting outside of SA
Convenience
Switch your account to a local financial solution at your nearest branch when you visit SA
What we can offer you
Cards and accounts
Value-added services
Loans and insurance
Help emigrating
South Africans may only open a Non-Resident Account once they’ve formally emigrated. But you can open a Foreign Currency Account before you leave the country.
If you’re still in the process of emigrating from SA, 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 SA-owned assets
For a better understanding of everything you’ll need to take up residence in any country outside the Common Monetary Area*, download our Guide to Emigration.
*SA, Namibia, Lesotho and eSwatini
What it costs
The bank fees you’ll pay depend on the type of account you choose and the type of transactions you make.
What you’ll need
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. Please contact us to open a Foreign Currency Account.
How do I update my information once I have a non-resident account?
Please contact us and we’ll talk you through the process.
Can I open a savings and investment account?
Yes, we have a range of options available to you.
Can I open an account at any South African branch?
Yes, if you bring all the required documents.
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
-
What you’ll need
-
FAQs
Cards and accounts
Value-added services
Loans and insurance
South Africans may only open a Non-Resident Account once they’ve formally emigrated. But you can open a Foreign Currency Account before you leave the country.
If you’re still in the process of emigrating from SA, 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 SA-owned assets
For a better understanding of everything you’ll need to take up residence in any country outside the Common Monetary Area*, download our Guide to Emigration.
*SA, Namibia, Lesotho and eSwatini
The bank fees you’ll pay depend on the type of account you choose and the type of transactions you make.
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. Please contact us to open a Foreign Currency Account.
How do I update my information once I have a non-resident account?
Please contact us and we’ll talk you through the process.
Can I open a savings and investment account?
Yes, we have a range of options available to you.
Can I open an account at any South African branch?
Yes, if you bring all the required documents.
Can Standard Bank offer any help if I’m planning to emigrate from South Africa?
Yes, we can help you with the emigration process.
Need help?
We also offer
Bank accounts
Any account you open with us is safe and simple to use, giving you the freedom to manage your money and make payments the way you choose to.
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.