Banking for Foreign Nationals

We have financial solutions to help Non-South African Residents bank with ease from anywhere.

Helping you understand the basics

Asylum Seeker

A person who leaves their country of residence, enters another country and applies for asylum.

Available accounts

Refugee

A person who has been granted asylum status and protection.

Available accounts

Foreign National

A person who is a temporary resident in South Africa.

Available accounts

Common Monetary Area

A person who is a permanent resident of the Common Monetary Areas, i.e. Lesotho, Namibia or Eswatini.

Available accounts

Non-Resident

A person who lives outside the borders of South Africa and has a financial interest in the Republic.

Available accounts

Declarations to be completed

Depending on your resident type, the following declarations may need to be completed when you apply. The Exchange control declaration confirms to the bank that assets will not be transferred to a third party who is a South African resident, and that you have not applied for similar facilities with other banks (this helps monitor and curb illicit flows). FATCA applies to US citizens only.

1

Asylum Seeker

Exchange control declaration

2

Refugee

Exchange control declaration

3

Foreign National

Exchange control declaration

4

Common Monetary Area

Non-Resident declaration
FATCA & CRS declaration
Exchange control declaration

5

Non-Resident

Non-Resident personal information form
Non-Resident declaration
Waiver and indemnity (optional)
FATCA & CRS declaration

Your international limits

International spend limits are based on income generated earnings within the borders of South Africa, considering reasonable living expenses as well. Foreign National customers automatically receive an individually calculated limit monthly. Should you require information on these limits, please contact 087 312 4442 or email fncardlimits@fnb.co.za.

Helping you send money home

Make international payments with South Africa's best foreign exchange provider for 6 years running.

Global payments

Send, receive and invest in foreign currency in a few simple steps, through our electronic channels.

Learn more

Global receipts

With Global receipts, the process of receiving funds from abroad is straightforward and hassle-free.

Learn more

MoneyGram

Send money via the FNB App, ATM, branch or dial *120*321#.

Learn more

PayPal

Pay and get paid globally - PayPal is one of the world's leading digital payments platforms.

Learn more

Best forex provider

Send money home with South Africa's best foreign exchange provider.

More benefits for you

Global accounts

Save and transact in foreign currencies with the perfect travel companion.

Family banking

Get the whole family on board with FNB. Choose from youth accounts to options for your spouse or partner.

Connect

FNB Connect provides you with an innovative cellular offering where you manage your SIM spend as easily as you manage your banking.

Foreign Choice home loan

Foreign Choice is a product for non-residents and foreign nationals who want to purchase residential property in South Africa.

Funeral plan

Take care of the financial burden that comes with the death of a loved one.

Non-Residents FAQs

Who is a Non-Resident?

Non-Resident means a person (i.e. natural person or legal entity) whose normal place of residence, domicile or registration is outside of South Africa.

Must I be in South Africa to open an account?

No. A Non-Resident may or may not need to enter South Africa and can request for an account to be opened while being outside the borders of South Africa.

What is the qualifying age for the account uptake?

18 years and older.

Can I have investment accounts with FNB?

Yes, the customer is allowed to take up any Cash Investment product with the bank.

Can I have a global account with FNB?

Yes, the customer is allowed to have a Non-Resident Global Account with the bank. There is no card linked to the Non-Resident global account.

Can someone from the CMA open the account?

Yes they can, provided that they are not residing and working in South Africa. Their source of funds needs to originate from outside the borders of South Africa.

Can I transact via digital banking?

Yes, the customer is able to transact via digital banking.

Banking for Foreign Nationals made easy

We have financial solutions to help Non-South African Residents bank with ease from anywhere.

Qualifying criteria

•No qualifying criteria

Required documents

•Asylum Seeker: Asylum Seeker Certificate/Valid Section 22 permit and valid proof of address

•Refugee: Valid Section 24 permit or Refugee Red ID and valid proof of address

•Foreign National: Valid passport, valid permit or visa and valid proof of address. The product type offered is subject to the conditions within the permit or visa issued to you by the Department of Home Affairs in terms of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.

•Common Monetary Area: Valid passport, valid permit or visa, valid proof of address and verified operating address

•Non-Resident: Valid passport (and Port of Entry Stamp if in South Africa)

How to apply

Leave your details and one of our consultants will call you back to help you get started.

Terms and conditions

Get started

Need to know more or want to start the process? Let us call you back.

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To follow up on this query, please contact us on 087 736 2247

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International limits 087 312 4442

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