Rulebook  /  Countries  /  South Africa

South Africa day-count rules

Spending time in South Africa? The rules below can affect tax residency, your right to remain and any path to residence or citizenship. This page brings South Africa's day-count rules together — each explained in plain English, with a calculator and a link to the official source.

Tax residency

• 🇿🇦Avoid South Africa tax residencyThe physical presence test needs all three: more than 91 days in the current year, more than 91 days in each of the five preceding years, and more than 915 days across those five. This counter is the first limb only — the one you can still change this year.<=90 / YEAR
• 🇿🇦Become South Africa tax residentThe physical presence test needs all three: more than 91 days in the current year, more than 91 days in each of the five preceding years, and more than 915 days across those five. This counter is the first limb only — the one you can still change this year.>=91 / YEAR

Visas & entry

• 🇿🇦South Africa visitorNinety days for most exempt nationalities; some get 30. Overstaying triggers a formal ban, recorded against the passport.<=90 / VISIT