How much can you transfer?
South Africa gives every resident adult two distinct annual allowances. They work differently, require different approvals, and reset on 1 January each year. Here is how they break down.
Single Discretionary Allowance (SDA)
Every SA resident adult can transfer up to R2 million per calendar year offshore without any SARS pre-approval. Doubled from R1 million in the 2026 Budget (announced 25 February 2026), applying to the 2026 calendar year. Resets every 1 January. Unused allowance does not carry over. This is the simplest and fastest route and covers most day-to-day transfers.
- Valid SA ID or passport
- Foreign bank account details
- Completed transfer instruction
- No SARS pre-approval required
Foreign Investment Allowance (FIA)
The FIA lets you transfer an additional R10 million per calendar year offshore, on top of your R2 million SDA. It requires an Approval for International Transfer (AIT) from SARS. When the AIT is approved, SARS issues a TCS PIN which the authorised dealer uses to verify the clearance. WBForex prepares and submits the full AIT application on your behalf, and handles the back-and-forth with SARS until approval comes through.
- Valid SA ID or passport
- SARS AIT approval (we apply for this)
- Foreign bank account details
- SARS eFiling registration
- Tax compliance up to date
SDA + FIA Combined
Used together, the SDA (R2m, no pre-approval) and the FIA (R10m, AIT required) give you up to R12 million per person per calendar year. A couple can potentially move up to R24 million between them, where both spouses are individually eligible and properly documented. These are two distinct mechanisms with different approval processes - WBForex manages both in parallel so you get the full capacity with one point of contact.
- Both allowances processed in parallel
- SDA portion: same-day or next business day
- FIA portion: AIT prepared and submitted for you
- One point of contact throughout
Everything handled under one roof
You tell us how much you want to move and your timeline. We handle the rest - from documentation to AIT submission to the actual transfer landing in your UK account.
SDA transfers
No SARS pre-approval needed. Same-day or next-business-day processing within your R2 million calendar-year limit.
FIA & AIT application
We prepare and submit the full AIT application to SARS on your behalf, and manage the follow-up until approval is granted.
Calendar & spouse planning
Advice on splitting transfers across calendar years, coordinating with a spouse's allowances, and timing around the 1 January reset.
Compliance & reporting
All supporting documentation held for SARS. SARB Balance of Payment reporting handled via our authorised dealer partner.
The process, step by step
Most clients move from first contact to funds landing in the UK within a few days for SDA transfers, and within a few weeks for FIA transfers (depending on SARS turnaround on the AIT).
Quick call or WhatsApp
Tell us how much you want to move, your timeline, and whether you are using SDA, FIA, or both.
Document checklist
We send you a precise list of what we need - ID, foreign bank details, and (for FIA) proof of source of funds and a clean SARS tax profile.
AIT application (FIA only)
We prepare and submit your AIT application to SARS and manage the follow-up until approval comes through. You do not deal with SARS directly.
Currency conversion
The rate is set at the moment of conversion. Bank-to-bank via our authorised dealer partner Capitec. WBForex never holds client funds.
Funds in your UK account
SDA transfers typically land same-day or next business day. FIA transfers land once AIT is approved and funds convert - usually within a few weeks.
WBForex vs. doing it through your SA bank
The allowances are the same wherever you transact - what differs is the level of guidance, the hand-holding through AIT, and who is on the other end of the phone when something comes up.
| FEATURE | SA BANK | WBFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| SDA processing | Standard branch or online process | Same-day or next business day |
| FIA / AIT application | You apply to SARS yourself | We prepare and submit the full AIT on your behalf |
| Document guidance | Generic forms, minimal guidance | Full checklist and review before anything is submitted |
| Allowance planning | No guidance on sequencing or spouse use | Advice on SDA/FIA sequencing, spouse use, and calendar-year timing |
| Fees | Per-transaction bank fees | No WBForex fees. R250 bank SWIFT fee only, flat |
| Point of contact | Different teller or call-centre agent each time | One person handling your account end-to-end |
| Above-R12m pathway | Not offered | SARB FinSurv + SARS Letter of Compliance handled in-house |
Need to move more than R12 million in a calendar year?
Transfers above the combined R12 million SDA + FIA ceiling are possible but require SARB FinSurv special approval, supported by a SARS Letter of Compliance. This is a separate process from AIT, typically used for significant inheritances, business sale proceeds, or emigration of substantial wealth. WBForex manages the full process end-to-end for clients in this bracket.
Talk to us about large transfersPrefer to handle parts yourself?
Some clients prefer to run the SDA transfer themselves through their own SA bank and only use WBForex for the FIA and AIT side, or just for the currency conversion leg. That works for us too - we engage at whichever level suits you. Tell us what you want to handle yourself and we will quote on the rest.
Common questions
Everything you need to know about SA annual transfer allowances.