Local advice on your doorstep in South Africa

A land of opportunity and culture, South Africa is a country full of diversity. You'll enjoy having a braai with friends, hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains or shopping for your favourite items at Sandton City. But will your finances settle in just as well?

You're welcome to come in and meet one of our Relationship Managers. They understand the needs of those living or working abroad and provide a convenient local point of contact. They'll be happy to discuss all your requirements, and to answer any questions you may have about offshore banking. They also put you in touch with an International Wealth Manager who can offer financial planning solutions tailored to suit your individual circumstances.

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Relevant HSBC products & services

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Tax information

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Local information

Air operators: Numerous airlines operate to and from South Africa including South African Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas. Air travel is the most commonly used internal travel because of the vast distances. Try kulula.com for inexpensive tickets

Buses: Luxury coaches are available between all major cities

Railways: Modern express trains operate comfortable services. Luxury trains are available for touring (the Blue train is a five star hotel on wheels)

Car hire: Avis, Europcar, Budget and Hertz

Shopping hours are 08:30 -17:00 Mondays to Fridays. 08:30 - 12:30 Saturdays. (Most shopping centres are open on Sundays)

Banking hours: 08:30 - 15:30 Mondays to Fridays. 08:30 to 11:30 Saturday. Major international credit cards accepted at most hotels, restaurants and stores

Post office hours are 08:00 to 16:30 Mondays to Fridays, as well as Saturday 08:00 until 12:00

Electricity: 220 - 240 V AC at 50Hz; 250 V AC 50 Hz

Plug type: British style 3 pin plug

Light fittings: Bayonet and screw

Health and safety: No special precautions necessary although HIV/AIDS is widespread, as is tuberculosis and malaria. Protection against polio, hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus is recommended. Ask the locals before drinking tap water

Health care: Private healthcare facilities are amongst the best in the world

Schools: State schools are rarely used by expat children. There are numerous private and international schools offering a good standard of education

Cuisine: An enormous variety from African specialities to high-brow European

Specialities: Game, preferably slow roasted on a"braai" or barbeque

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Background

Capital city: Pretoria

Languages: 11 official languages including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda and Ndebele.

Religions: Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and traditional religions

Weights & measures: Metric

Composition: South Africa is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho

Total land area: 1.22 million square km

Features: The Drakensberg mountains, Table Mountain and the Kruger National Park

Climate: Mostly mild, dry and sunny. In the interior the climate is temperate but warms to tropical on the east coast

Head of State: The President

Head of Government: The President

Political composition: A republic and independent member of the British Commonwealth, the country is governed by Parliament

When it comes to land mammals, South Africa has the superlatives. It's got the biggest (the African elephant), the smallest (the pygmy shrew), the tallest (the giraffe) and the fastest (the cheetah)

The Festival of the Arts transforms Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape each July. As well as mainstream art, opera and theatre, there are fringe and student components to the festival, including theatre performed in many of the languages spoken in South Africa

Public holidays underwent a dramatic shake-up after the 1994 elections. For example, the Day of the Vow, which celebrated the massacre of Zulus, has become the Day of Reconciliation (16 December). The officially ignored but widely observed Soweto Day, marking the student uprisings that eventually led to liberation, is now celebrated as Youth Day (16 June). Human Rights Day is held on the anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre (21 March)

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The Economy

Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)

GDP: US$112 billion

GDP per head: US$2519

Annual growth: 2.2%

Major industries: Mining, finance, insurance, food processing

VAT: 14%

Inflation: 5.7%

Fiscal year: Starts 1 April

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Visas

Visas: permits and residence

A valid passport is required by all visitors.

Visitor's visas: These are issued provided the holder does not take up employment and provided the passport is valid for 30 days beyond the intended length of stay.

Temporary residence: Passport holders of the US, UK, Canada, the EU and some other countries don't require visas for stays of less than 90 days. An outward ticket must be purchased before entering South Africa.

Driving licenses: Visitors can drive with a home country license for up to 6 months but it must have a photograph and be in English, Afrikaans or Dutch.

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