In brief (TL;DR): SARS typically processes AIT applications within two to four weeks, though completeness of documentation and your compliance status both affect the timeline. WBForex prepares and submits the full application so nothing is missing when it reaches SARS.
If you need to transfer more than R2 million out of South Africa in a calendar year, you will need a SARS Approval for International Transfer - commonly called an AIT. In 2023, SARS introduced Approval International Transfer (AIT) as the single application route replacing the previous Foreign Investment Allowance and Emigration TCS application types. The TCS PIN still exists as the verification mechanism - once your AIT is approved, SARS issues a TCS PIN that the authorised dealer verifies before processing the transfer. It is now the required route for any Foreign Investment Allowance (FIA) transfer.
One of the most common questions we get is simple: how long does it take? Here is an honest answer.
What the AIT is and when you need it
The AIT is SARS confirmation that your tax affairs are in order and that you are approved to transfer funds offshore under the Foreign Investment Allowance. You do not need it for transfers within your R2 million SDA limit - only for the FIA portion above that.
WBForex prepares and submits the full AIT application to SARS on your behalf. You do not need to navigate the eFiling system yourself.
How long does SARS take to process it?
In our experience, SARS typically processes AIT applications within two to four weeks, though this varies depending on SARS workload and the completeness of the application submitted.
Applications where all documentation is correct and tax compliance is up to date tend to move faster. If SARS raises queries - for example, if there are outstanding returns or discrepancies in your tax record - it adds time.
This is one of the reasons we ask clients to come to us early. If we identify potential SARS compliance issues before submitting the AIT, we can often resolve them in advance rather than discovering them mid-application when there is time pressure on a transfer.
What documents are needed for the AIT application?
- A valid South African ID or passport
- SARS eFiling registration and an up-to-date tax record
- Proof of the source of the funds being transferred
- Completed transfer instruction with destination bank details
We send you a precise document checklist once we know the specifics of your situation. What is needed can vary slightly depending on the nature and source of the funds.
How long is the AIT valid for once approved?
A SARS AIT is approved for a specific transfer amount and a specific purpose. It is not an open-ended approval for all future transfers - it relates to the particular transaction it was applied for.
If your circumstances change - for example, if you decide to transfer a larger amount than originally approved, or if the transfer is delayed significantly - you may need to submit a fresh application. We advise on this case by case.
Can I start preparing before I have the AIT?
Yes - and you should. While the AIT is being processed by SARS, you can be gathering the remaining documents, confirming your UK or EU bank account details, and agreeing the timeline with us. When the AIT comes through, we can move quickly.
Most clients find that the AIT waiting period is the only real delay in the process. Everything else - the rate, the conversion, the transfer itself - happens within one to two business days of the AIT being confirmed.
What if I only need to transfer within my SDA?
If your transfer is within the R2 million SDA limit, no AIT is needed and the process is significantly faster. Contact us with your transfer amount and timeline and we will confirm immediately which route applies.
Let us handle your AIT application
