This page compares 4 accounts available in South Africa, listing minimum deposit, monthly fee, how to apply and non-resident eligibility one by one: 1 can be opened fully online, 0 explicitly accept non-residents, 4 have no minimum deposit. Click any account for the full document checklist, pros and cons and common rejection reasons.
Data updated 2026-10-01 · compiled from published bank terms
| Account | Region | Type | Minimum deposit | Monthly fee | How to apply | Non-residents | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capitec Bank | South Africa | Traditional Bank | 无首存要求 | 月费低（约 50 兰特） | Must visit | Conditional | ★ 4 |
| TymeBank | South Africa | Digital Bank | 无首存要求 | 免月费（基础版） | Online | Conditional | ★ 4 |
| Standard Bank | South Africa | Traditional Bank | 无首存要求 | 基础账户月费视套餐而定 | Must visit | Conditional | ★ 3.9 |
| First National Bank | South Africa | Traditional Bank | 无首存要求 | 基础账户月费视套餐而定 | Must visit | Conditional | ★ 3.9 |
None of the 4 accounts on this page is open to non-residents without conditions, but 4 accept foreigners who meet extra requirements (Standard Bank, First National Bank, Capitec Bank) — typically a valid visa or residence permit, and usually an in-branch visit. See each account page for details.
Not necessarily. 1 of the 4 accounts can be opened fully online (TymeBank), with no branch visit; the remaining 3 still require a branch visit or an appointment. Online opening depends on whether your documents pass automated checks.
Minimums vary widely — see the "Minimum deposit" column. 4 account(s) have no minimum deposit, so you need not fund on day one. Also watch the minimum balance and monthly fee; dormant accounts can incur charges.
It depends on the account: online accounts are usually approved within minutes to a few working days, while branch or manually reviewed accounts typically take 1 to 3 weeks. The "How to apply" column shows the channel for each account, and timings are on the individual pages.