South Africa is increasingly recognised as a preferred destination for international offshoring, with 60% of global business leaders ranking it above traditional locations like India (10%), the Philippines (10%), and Eastern Europe (19%), according to a Robert Walters survey. The country’s appeal lies in its access to skilled talent (41%) and cost efficiency through retained earnings (39%). Other strengths include strong English proficiency, favourable time zones, and a growing global reputation in business and tech services.

Offshoring to South Africa is particularly strong in the tech and IT sector, which accounts for 53% of new offshore roles. This is followed by finance and accounting (20%), customer service (18%), and HR and recruitment (9%). Samantha-Jane Gravett from Robert Walters Africa noted that the agile and capable workforce in South Africa aligns well with global business operations, helping companies enhance efficiency and resilience.

In response to increasing interest in remote work, South Africa introduced a Remote Work Visa in 2024. Aimed at digital nomads earning at least R650,000 per annum, the visa allows foreign workers to live in South Africa while employed by international companies. Despite high global mobility, only 24 Remote Work Visas have been issued as of May 2025. This has raised concerns from political group Rise Mzansi, which suspects that many digital nomads may be bypassing immigration and tax regulations. The Department of Home Affairs expects uptake to grow as awareness increases and efforts to attract global talent continue.