As the founder of Cape Town Office, a coworking space that has welcomed digital nomads from all over the world since 2011, I've seen how South Africa captures the hearts of visitors. The one thing they all have in common? Once they're here, they never want to leave.
The challenges of a 90-day limit
Cost
Short-term stays mean relying on expensive accommodation options like Airbnb or Booking.com -- convenient for travellers, but they come with steep premiums, especially in Cape Town's peak season from November to February. Longer stays allow you to secure better deals on monthly rentals or explore more budget-friendly alternatives like furnished apartments or co-living spaces.
Time
South Africa is a vast and diverse country. The Western Cape alone is more than just Cape Town -- think Winelands, the Cederberg mountains, charming coastal towns, and the iconic Garden Route, a 300-kilometre stretch of scenic beauty. When you're limited to 90 days, balancing work deadlines with travel plans can feel overwhelming.
Connections
Making meaningful connections with locals takes time. Cape Town has a reputation for being a bit reserved at first -- partly due to its transient tourist population. Locals want to see that you're serious about staying before they invest in building a relationship. Living here longer changes everything.
The upsides of staying longer
Cape Town offers a high quality of life at a fraction of the cost you'd expect in many major cities. According to Expatistan, the cost of living in Cape Town is cheaper than in 87% of cities in the world. The cost of living in London is 223% higher, Berlin 84% higher.
For digital nomads, coworking spaces like Cape Town Office are invaluable. These spaces aren't just about fast WiFi and coffee -- they're hubs for meeting like-minded people, exchanging ideas, and building a sense of belonging in a new city.
What we know about the Digital Nomad Visa
The South African government released updated details for the Digital Nomad Visa in October 2024:
- Income requirement: Applicants need to demonstrate an annual income of at least R650,796 (around $34,000)
- Duration: The visa can be issued for up to three years
- Eligibility: Open to remote workers employed by companies outside South Africa
You can download the official government gazette on Remote Work Visa requirements here.
Why Cape Town?
Cape Town is South Africa's crown jewel, offering a lifestyle that perfectly balances work and play. With only an hour difference between South Africa and most European countries, you don't have to adopt a vampire lifestyle to live and work here. The sun sets around 20:30 in the height of summer, which means you can still get that last meeting in before hitting the beach for sundowners.