South Africa — Banking: Required Documents

Key facts

• Regulation 5(1) of the FIC Act regulations lists the details a bank collects: full names, date of birth, nationality, passport number, any South African tax number and residential address.
• For a non-citizen not resident in South Africa the accepted identification is a passport issued by the country of citizenship.
• Proof of address can be a utility bill, a recent lease or rental agreement or a municipal rates invoice; an affidavit from a co-habitant or employer is a fallback.
• SARB exchange-control rules for non-resident accounts were not covered in these sources.

Steps

1. Gather general identification documents — It is reported that original identification documents, such as a passport, ID card, or driver's license, may be required for banking purposes. However, the exact documentation needed can vary between institutions and over time.
2. Obtain proof of address — Some sources suggest that proof of address, such as a utility bill or rental agreement, may be needed for certain banking transactions or services. However, the necessity and type of proof required are uncertain and likely to change.