| Allowance | Annual limit | Who qualifies | Clearance needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single discretionary allowance | R2,000,000 | Resident aged 18 or older | None, only an ID |
| Foreign investment allowance | R10,000,000 | Resident aged 18 or older, tax compliant | SARS approval for international transfer |
| Above R10 million | By application | Resident, subject to approval | SARB via an authorised dealer |
| Under 18 | R200,000 | Resident minor | None |
| Use | Counts against the SDA |
|---|---|
| Funding an offshore trading account trading account | Yes |
| Travel and holiday spending | Yes |
| Gifts and maintenance to a non-resident | Yes |
| Online purchases from a foreign retailer | Yes |
| Study abroad costs | Yes |
| From | SDA limit | FIA limit |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | R2,000,000 | R10,000,000 |
| 2015 to 2025 | R1,000,000 | R10,000,000 |
| 2010 to 2014 | R1,000,000 | R4,000,000 |
| Before 2010 | R750,000 | R4,000,000 |
| Amount in a year | Allowance used | Paperwork |
|---|---|---|
| Up to R2,000,000 | SDA | Identity document only |
| R2,000,001 to R12,000,000 | SDA then FIA | SARS approval for international transfer |
| Above R12,000,000 | Application | Reserve Bank via an authorised dealer |
| Under 18, up to R200,000 | Minor's allowance | Identity document only |
| From | Single discretionary | Foreign investment | Combined | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | R2,000,000 | R10,000,000 | R12,000,000 | SDA doubled |
| 2015 to 2025 | R1,000,000 | R10,000,000 | R11,000,000 | FIA raised to R10m in 2015 |
| 2014 | R1,000,000 | R4,000,000 | R5,000,000 | SDA raised from R750,000 |
| 2010 to 2013 | R750,000 | R4,000,000 | R4,750,000 | FIA raised to R4m in 2010 |
| 2008 to 2009 | R500,000 | R2,000,000 | R2,500,000 | Both raised |
| 2006 to 2007 | R160,000 | R2,000,000 | R2,160,000 | FIA raised to R2m |
| Before 2006 | R160,000 | R750,000 | R910,000 | The older regime |
Data maintained by TradeAnswers · updated as the figures change