Your Forex. Your Move.
Your Allowances Explained (SDA, FIA & AIT)
Why it matters
Moving funds offshore shouldn’t feel like navigating red tape.
Every South African resident is entitled to send money abroad — but the rules and acronyms can make it sound far more complicated than it really is.
Understanding how your Single Discretionary Allowance (SDA), Foreign Investment Allowance (FIA) and Approval for International Transfer (AIT) work together helps you move your funds confidently, compliantly, and without delay.
At Currency Assist, we guide you through each step — from determining which allowance applies, to securing SARS tax clearance and Reserve Bank approval when required.
The three key channels for moving funds offshore
Allowance | Annual Limit | Typical Uses | What’s Required |
| Single Discretionary Allowance (SDA) | Up to R1 million per adult (per calendar year) | Travel, gifts, offshore investments, foreign property deposits | No SARS tax clearance required — we handle the bank documentation. |
| Foreign Investment Allowance (FIA) | Up to R10 million per adult (per calendar year) | Larger offshore investments, property purchases, or portfolio transfers | SARS Tax Clearance Certificate confirming source of funds and tax compliance. |
| Approval for International Transfer (AIT) | For transfers exceeding R10 million | High-value asset acquisitions or business transactions | SARS review plus Reserve Bank (SARB) approval — coordinated through authorised dealers. |
Note: married couples can each utilise their full annual allowances.
How we help
Currency Assist manages every stage of the process so you can focus on your goals, not the paperwork.
We:
- Confirm which allowance structure best suits your transfer.
- Liaise with SARS to secure Tax Clearance Certificates quickly and efficiently.
- Submit supporting documentation to authorised dealers for SARB approval where required.
- Provide you with a clear audit trail for all transfers.
- Monitor your annual usage to plan ahead for future transactions.
Most importantly — there are no additional costs for our clients when we assist with tax clearance applications.
Typical scenarios
- Investing offshore or buying foreign property.
- Funding education or family expenses abroad.
- Transferring inheritance or disinvestment proceeds.
- Diversifying retirement funds or externalising savings.
Each scenario uses the same rules — the difference lies only in the allowance you apply under.
Why clients choose Currency Assist
- Expert navigation through SARS and SARB processes.
- Faster clearances through our tax-practitioner and authorised-dealer network.
- Transparent reporting — everything documented and accessible.
- Integrated support when opening your forex account or managing tax emigration.
Ready to begin?
Let us confirm which allowance applies to your transfer and handle the process from end to end.
Simply fill out the form at the bottom of this page and we can get a consultant to come back to you.
Managing your Personal Forex.
Time to Move Back Home?
Call us first.
Your Account, Your Fees
Transact within a day. Zip, zero, nada fees to open/manage accounts.
Your Cloud
Manage funds using online tools.
Your Emigration, Your Expat Life
On the move? We’ve got your back.
How it all works
Have a Question about Your Allowances?
Please fill in the fields below and one of our team will respond as soon as we can.