Offshore Investment & Forex
diversify offshore
FOR BETTER RETURNS & LONG-TERM WEALTH CREATION
Offshore investing has been a cornerstone of the Brenthurst Wealth strategy over the past years. Investors who did not increase their offshore investment exposure in recent years have suffered a tremendous opportunity cost and in some cases, particularly over one, two and three years, have not seen any real increase in the real value of their investments in rand terms.
BRENTHURST OFFSHORE ALLOWANCE SERVICES
Despite the relative strengthening of the rand versus the US dollar and other major currencies, we do not see this as a major turning point in the fortunes of the local currency. We see it rather as a temporary reprieve from further currency weakness and will be using this period of relative strength to add to our offshore portfolios on behalf of our clients.
Annual foreign allowances remain unchanged for South African resident individuals in terms of the South African Reserve Bank and South African Exchange Control Regulations, We, at Brenthurst Wealth Management can assist you by applying for your FTCC in respect of the Foreign Capital Allowance.
Contact our forex consultants for competitive rates and to make the most of your offshore allowance.
Update:
Single Discretionary Allowance increased to R2 million
Offshore investing has been a cornerstone of the Brenthurst Wealth strategy over the past years. Investors who did not increase their offshore investment exposure in recent years have suffered a tremendous opportunity cost and in some cases, particularly over one, two and three years, have not seen any real increase in the real value of their investments in rand terms.
What this means
South African residents aged 18 and older may now transfer up to R2 million per calendar year under their SDA for legal purposes abroad, including travel, gifts, remittances, investments and donations.
If you have already used your previous R1 million limit this year, you may now have access to an additional R1 million for the remainder of the calendar year, subject to the applicable banking and verification processes.
Transfers within the SDA are generally processed without a SARS AIT or TCS PIN, although standard verification by the authorised dealer still applies.
If you would like guidance on making use of your allowance or need assistance with a cross-border transfer, please contact your Brenthurst Wealth Manager or a Brenthurst forex specialist.
SA RESIDENT TAXPAYERS CAN REMIT THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS PER CALENDAR YEAR:
- R2 million Discretionary allowance (DA)
- R10 million Foreign Capital allowance (FCA)
- Foreign Tax Clearance Certificate (FTCC) required ONLY for FCA)
- FCS is valid for 12 months from date of issue
WHY GO OFFSHORE?
OFFSHORE investing has been a cornerstone of the Brenthurst Wealth strategy over the past years. Investors who did not increase their offshore investment exposure in recent years have suffered a tremendous opportunity cost and in some cases, particularly over one, two and three years, have not seen any real increase in the real value of their investments in rand terms.
Many South African investors are asking whether there is any benefit to investing offshore now that the domestic economy seems to be on the upturn.
Clients of Brenthurst Wealth will be well aware of our long-standing investment strategy of increasing offshore exposure across all our portfolios. Offshore diversification has long been an underlying theme in our investment portfolios, which was accelerated from about 2010 onwards.
At the time our investment approach was met with substantial resistance, but the events since then, as well as the relative investment performance over the past years, has vindicated this position and has added considerable wealth to our clients.
Investors who added offshore diversification to their portfolios are today considerably better off than those who did not.
Brenthurst Wealth considers offshore diversification integral to long-term wealth creation and offers a range of investment funds across all asset classes.
Brenthurst Wealth has access to some of the best fund managers in the world including Templeton, Orbis, Investec and many others.
Many of the these investment companies are not present in South Africa and the only way to invest in some of the best-performing funds in the world is by making use of the foreign investment allowance.
Brenthurst also makes use of local asset- swap investment portfolios for investors and entities who do not wish to make use of the foreign exchange allowance.
HOW DO I GET MY MONEY ABROAD TO INVEST OFFSHORE?
SINGLE DISCRETIONARY ALLOWANCE
Every South African has a single discretionary allowance (SDA) of up to R1m, which can be sent offshore, per calendar year (January to December). No tax clearance certificate is necessary when externalising funds via your SDA. It is as simple as instructing your bank to send the funds abroad. Once the funds have been sent abroad, they can be used for investment or travel purposes.
FOREIGN INVESTMENT ALLOWANCE
In addition to this, each South African resident has an annual foreign investment allowance (FIA) of R10m, which can be sent offshore. A tax clearance certificate is needed in order to externalise funds via your FIA. This is a relatively simple online application that is done on your SA Revenue Service e-profile platform. Once your tax clearance certificate is issued, on presentation, your bank will remit the funds abroad.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
We assist in establishing offshore trusts, opening foreign bank accounts, and coordinating essential services to support your international investment and estate planning needs.
South African individual investors are allowed to invest up to R11 million per calendar year, anywhere in the world. R10 million via an approved tax clearance and R1 million on their Single Discretionary Allowance.
Megan joined the Brenthurst Wealth team in March 2026 as an Administrative and Fiduciary Services Assistant at our Val de Vie Office in the Western Cape. Prior to joining Brenthurst, Megan gained three years of experience in the retail sector, where she developed management and client service skills.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Esmarelda Isaacs-Andreas joined the Brenthurst Wealth Stellenbosch office in October 2025, taking on the dual role of Receptionist and Fiduciary Administrator.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Ashley joined Brenthurst Wealth in January 2025 as Office Administrative Assistant and Receptionist for the Stellenbosch Office.
René Heystek joined Brenthurst Wealth in November 2023, as receptionist and administrative assistant in the newly established George/Garden Route office.
Michelle Heystek has built a career in the financial services over the last two decades, after obtaining her B.Com degree in Financial Management in 2005. Once she joined Brenthurst in 2006, she continued her academic journey, obtaining her Certificate in Wealth Management from INSETA in 2007, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. In 2008, she earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Anelle joined Brenthurst Wealth as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to Brian Butchart in the Cape Town office in December 2023. She has a wealth of knowledge from working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients at TMA and Absa Investment Management Services (Aims) since 1998. She obtained her B. com degree from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1997.
ADMITTED ATTORNEY | FINANCIAL PLANNER & HEAD OF BRENTHURST FOURWAYS
Sanet was appointed in April 2020, joining our Cape Town team as an Executive Administration Assistant to Renee Eagar. She has been in the financial services industry since 1990. Her previous experience includes positions at Sanlam, BJM and ABSA. She spent her last 12 years working at Alexander Forbes Private Client Wealth as a Senior Wealth Management Assistant. She has received numerous accolades over the years which include but not limited to, Alexander Forbes Client Service Excellence – Silver award in 2014,2015 and 2017. Sanet has also obtained her Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) in 2012 and achieved “Best Student of the Year” from Moonstone.
Maria Smit is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 10 years of experience in the financial planning industry.
