South Africa remains one of Africa’s biggest migration destinations, attracting workers, students, business owners, families and people seeking protection from across the continent. While immigration remains a politically sensitive issue, new figures from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs show that tens of thousands of African nationals hold legitimate immigration permits allowing them to stay in the country.
Zimbabwe — 23,218 permit holders
Democratic Republic of the Congo — 7,306
Nigeria — 5,242
Somalia — 3,961
Ethiopia — 1,749
Lesotho — 1,578
Cameroon — 1,573
Kenya — 1,035
Ghana — 980
Eswatini — 961
According to the Parliamentary Monitoring Group’s response, dated September 3, 2026, revealed that 105,260 foreign nationals had permits recorded on South Africa’s Visa Adjudication System (VAS) between November 24, 2014, and August 24, 2026. African nationals accounted for 56,614 of those permit holders, or 53.8% of the total.
The figures, published following a parliamentary question to the Minister of Home Affairs, provide useful data of the African countries with the largest number of nationals holding legitimate permits in South Africa.
The response published 191 nationality that holds legitimate permit in South Africa, whereas Tribune Online looks into the African countries legally permitted to live in South Africa
Zimbabwe — 23,218 permit holders
Zimbabwe has by far the largest number of nationals among the African countries listed. The parliamentary data recorded 23,218 Zimbabwean nationals with legitimate permits, more than three times the figure for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which ranked second.
The large Zimbabwean presence reflects the long-standing movement of people between the two neighboring countries, driven by employment, family connections and economic opportunities.
Democratic Republic of the Congo — 7,306
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recorded 7,306 legitimate permit holders, making it the second-largest African nationality in the data. Its position also puts it ahead of Nigeria, despite the significant Nigerian population and business community in South Africa.
Nigeria — 5,242
Nigeria ranks third, with 5,242 nationals recorded as legitimate permit holders. Nigerians have established significant communities in South Africa, particularly through business, professional services, education and other economic activities.
The figure covers permits recorded in the VAS during the specified period and therefore represents a particular administrative dataset rather than a population census. And should not just be interpreted as the total number of Nigerians living legally in the country.
Somalia — 3,961
Somalia occupies fourth place with 3,961 legitimate permit holders. The figure highlights the presence of Somali nationals within South Africa’s documented foreign population, alongside a broader migration pattern involving people from different parts of the continent.
Ethiopia — 1,749
Ethiopian nationals recorded 1,749 legitimate permits, placing the country fifth among African nationalities. Ethiopia’s position in the ranking is notable because its figure is substantially lower than those of the four countries ahead of it.
Lesotho — 1,578
Lesotho follows closely with 1,578 permit holders. The country’s geographic proximity to South Africa has historically encouraged substantial cross-border movement, although the latest figures specifically concern legitimate permits recorded by Home Affairs.
Cameroon — 1,573
Cameroon recorded 1,573 legitimate permit holders, just five fewer than Lesotho. Its inclusion in the top 10 shows that South Africa’s documented African migrant population extends well beyond neighboring Southern African states.
Kenya — 1,035
Kenya ranks eighth with 1,035 legitimate permit holders. Kenyan nationals are part of South Africa’s wider East African migrant community, with people moving for professional, commercial, educational and family-related reasons.
Ghana — 980
Ghana recorded 980 legitimate permit holders, placing it ninth. Although the number is below 1,000, it still places Ghana among the 10 African countries with the largest number of nationals represented in the parliamentary dataset.
Eswatini — 961
Eswatini rounds out the top 10 with 961 permit holders. Like Lesotho, its geographic proximity to South Africa contributes to longstanding cross-border connections, although the figures here refer specifically to documented permit records.
The ranking shows the nationalities attached to legitimate permits recorded in the Department of Home Affairs’ Visa Adjudication System over the period covered by the parliamentary response.
The permit categories also vary considerably. The data includes workers, spouses, dependents, people with extraordinary skills, business applicants, refugees, retired people, financially independent individuals and people admitted under relative-related provisions.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs says its immigration program is responsible for processing temporary and permanent residence applications, including work, study and business visas, while also managing refugee and asylum-seeker matters.