Hi, first timer here. My wife is from South Africa (her family is there), and her and all our children are USA/South Africa dual citizens. I'm a USA citizen only. We would like to move there and help take care of her parents. It's simple for them, but more complex for me.
My understanding is that it is best to first get a long term visa to get there, then apply for permanent residency once there (per consulate website). At first, I thought the Relative's Visa would be the way to go. Then I discovered it doesn't allow working, but there's some process to get a work permit. I hope to be able to work remotely for a US company (either as employee or independent contractor). If that doesn't work out, getting a job in South Africa would be a possibility, but not preferred as it would pay less from my research. I can go some time without pay if necessary, but obviously not preferred. I recently discovered the new Digital Nomad visa, that might fit. There's limited information on SA Home Affairs website, and no mention of it on the US consulate website. I know I meet the qualification for income, but I'm uncertain of the details of how to apply and rules around it.
And as a general note, I want to do things the right way, nothing illegal. If something is a gray area, please do explain.
So my questions:
1. Does the Relative's visa allow working remotely for a US company, without the work permit? What is the process to get a work permit while on a Relative's visa, and does that allow only local work, or also remote work?
2. How do I apply for a Digital Nomad visa? What is the paperwork required? Do I already have to have a remote job to apply, or can I get the visa first and figure out the job later? What happens if you lose your job, can I convert to a local job or have to find a new remote job, or leave? (I figure I'd start with emailing the consulate if not known here and if it seems the best path)
3. For my situation, would a Relative's Visa or Digital Nomad Visa fit better or be more beneficial? Or a different path?
4. Does either path affect the tax situation? My understanding is that once you are in the country for 6 months, you have to with SARS and pay tax. Does that apply to working remotely with Relative's visa (if possible)?
5. Once there's a tax obligation in SA, can I choose which side I will pay first, and which I will use the tax treaty / foreign tax credit to deduct? Or does physical presence determine which side gets first dibs?
Thanks so much for reading this long post and any help you can provide!
My understanding is that it is best to first get a long term visa to get there, then apply for permanent residency once there (per consulate website). At first, I thought the Relative's Visa would be the way to go. Then I discovered it doesn't allow working, but there's some process to get a work permit. I hope to be able to work remotely for a US company (either as employee or independent contractor). If that doesn't work out, getting a job in South Africa would be a possibility, but not preferred as it would pay less from my research. I can go some time without pay if necessary, but obviously not preferred. I recently discovered the new Digital Nomad visa, that might fit. There's limited information on SA Home Affairs website, and no mention of it on the US consulate website. I know I meet the qualification for income, but I'm uncertain of the details of how to apply and rules around it.
And as a general note, I want to do things the right way, nothing illegal. If something is a gray area, please do explain.
So my questions:
1. Does the Relative's visa allow working remotely for a US company, without the work permit? What is the process to get a work permit while on a Relative's visa, and does that allow only local work, or also remote work?
2. How do I apply for a Digital Nomad visa? What is the paperwork required? Do I already have to have a remote job to apply, or can I get the visa first and figure out the job later? What happens if you lose your job, can I convert to a local job or have to find a new remote job, or leave? (I figure I'd start with emailing the consulate if not known here and if it seems the best path)
3. For my situation, would a Relative's Visa or Digital Nomad Visa fit better or be more beneficial? Or a different path?
4. Does either path affect the tax situation? My understanding is that once you are in the country for 6 months, you have to with SARS and pay tax. Does that apply to working remotely with Relative's visa (if possible)?
5. Once there's a tax obligation in SA, can I choose which side I will pay first, and which I will use the tax treaty / foreign tax credit to deduct? Or does physical presence determine which side gets first dibs?
Thanks so much for reading this long post and any help you can provide!
