SARB Approvals: Unlock Trapped Capital in 6 Weeks

We free it. At Offshore FX, our partners don’t just handle foreign exchange — they specialise in unravelling the complexities of South African Reserve Bank (SARB) regulations. Through our dedicated SARB Solutions service, we empower individuals, families and businesses to repatriate funds, liquidate assets and move capital offshore — seamlessly.Whether you’re an emigrant with blocked accounts, a property investor facing legacy compliance issues, or a professional advisor seeking a reliable partner, our expertise turns bureaucratic barriers into straightforward pathways.

The Offshore FX Edge

Our partners are former senior specialists at the South African Reserve Bank. With over two decades of direct involvement in shaping and enforcing exchange control policies, they bring unparalleled insider knowledge to every application. They didn’t just navigate the system — they helped define it, authoring key rulings and guidelines that still govern complex transactions today.

They served in the SARB’s Exchange Control Department, where they adjudicated high-value applications, advised on policy interpretation and resolved disputes involving billions in cross-border flows. This tenure equipped them with the nuanced understanding of SARB’s inner workings that generic advisors simply can’t match — ensuring we anticipate objections before they arise.95 % Approval Rate

Across 200+ applications they have achieved a 95 % success rate on first submission. This includes cases rejected multiple times by banks or other consultants, where we step in to reconstruct documentation and build airtight arguments.

6-Week Average Turnaround

While traditional routes through banks or DIY submissions drag on for 12–24 months, our process — leveraging our partners’ relationships and expertise — delivers approvals in an average of 6 weeks. For urgent property sales or emigration deadlines, we prioritise and expedite without compromising compliance.Our partners focus exclusively on the regulatory heavy-lifting; we execute the transfers at interbank rates. This white-glove collaboration means faster, more cost-effective outcomes — no middlemen, no delays.

What We Unlock

Our SARB Solutions target the most common pain points for expatriates, investors and advisors. We handle everything from initial audits to final repatriation, ensuring full compliance with the Currency and Exchanges Manual for Authorised Dealers (and its 2025 updates). Here’s how we liberate your capital:Legacy Inflows (10–20+ Years Old)Many South Africans or foreign investors introduced funds pre-2005 (or even post, without proper Balance of Payments — BoP — coding). Faded bank statements, lost telegraphic transfer proofs or outdated inflows create roadblocks when selling assets or emigrating.Our Approach:
We reconstruct the historical trail using archival bank records, affidavits and forensic accounting. We secure SARB “comfort letters” confirming the original inflow’s legitimacy, then repatriate the full principal plus gains — tax-cleared and offshore-ready.Real Impact:
A recent case involved a 1990s R8 million investment; we traced it back via old FNB ledgers and obtained approval in 4 weeks, enabling a clean exit.

Non-Compliant Property Proceeds

Properties bought via informal “loan accounts,” offshore entities or without prior SARB clearance (e.g., under Section 9(1)(f) allowances) often trap sale proceeds. Banks freeze funds pending regularisation, costing sellers thousands in holding fees and lost market value.Our Approach:
We regularise the underlying structure through retrospective approvals under Exchange Control Circulars (e.g., EC 10/2019 for property disposals). This includes SARS tax directives, valuation reports and SARB Section 24 dispensations for any undeclared elements. Once cleared, proceeds flow to your nominated offshore account.Real Impact:
Partnering with a Johannesburg law firm, we unlocked R12 million from a non-compliant sectional title sale — originally stalled for 18 months — by reclassifying the inflow and securing a single-transaction approval.

Emigrant Blocked Accounts

Formal emigration processes have evolved (phased out in favour of “foreign national” status post-2021), but many are left with frozen assets due to lapsed Qualified Resident Permits (QRPs), incomplete Single Discretionary Allowances (SDAs) or outdated emigration endorsements. This blocks access to pensions, investments or home-sale funds.Our Approach:
We revive dormant files via SARB’s Emigration Review Unit, converting statuses under the latest Financial Surveillance Department guidelines. We coordinate with Home Affairs for biometric updates and execute transfers under the R11 million annual offshore investment limit (or higher via special dispensations).Real Impact:
For a Cape Town family emigrating to Australia, they cleared a R15 million blocked portfolio (including JSE shares and unit trusts) in 7 weeks, bypassing a 2-year bank backlog.

Trust & Estate Repatriation

Inter vivos trusts, testamentary estates or offshore-settled structures often face dual hurdles: SARB’s beneficiary non-residency proofs and SARS’s estate-duty clearances. Distributions to foreign heirs can be rejected if trustees lack exchange-control expertise.Our Approach:
We secure joint SARS/SARB approvals under Section 64 reporting (for trusts) or the Estate Administration framework, including asset valuations and anti-avoidance declarations. Funds are then distributed directly to non-resident beneficiaries, with forex hedging if needed.