Can foreigners apply for debt counselling?

Debt Counselling Eligibility for Foreign Nationals in South Africa

When the National Credit Regulator introduced debt counselling in 2007, it wasn’t clear whether foreign nationals are eligible for the programme or not.

Debt counselling is for everyone who is struggling with debt, subject to qualifying criteria. If you’re a foreign national the criteria is as follows.

Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Nationals Applying for Debt Counselling

You must have a valid passport or ID number

For you to apply for debt counselling, you will need some form of identification. A valid copy of your passport, or ID for permanent residents, will be required.

You must be permanently working in South Africa

Debt counselling requires that you make payments every month towards your debt. If you are a foreign national, you must present your payslip and a letter of employment to prove that you have a permanent job in South Africa. The debt counsellor will also confirm with your employer, just as they do with citizens.

Your debt must be with South African creditors

DebtBusters does help foreigners who are struggling with their debt, however, that debt must have been in taken in South Africa with a South African credit provider. If your debt is in another country, you’ll have to apply for debt counselling in that country. If for some reason you leave the country, you’ll still need to pay your debt counselling instalments. Your debt will not be written off because you’re away. If you default on payments, you will damage your credit score and be unable to take up more debt in South Africa. Added to this, your assets may be attached, and getting a tax clearance certificate from the South African Reserve Bank may be hard if you have unpaid taxes.

READ MORE: How does migration affect debt counselling?

Additional documents when applying for debt counselling

Bank statements 

Your bank statements will give a complete overview of your finances. They will show the consistency of your income and give an idea of your expenses. They will enable the debt counsellor to draw your new repayment plan.

Get Help from DebtBusters

At DebtBusters, we help you unlock cash for day-to-day activities — no matter your financial situation. Call our team of consultants for more information and assistance.

Our friendly consultants can be reached on telephone 086 999 0606, or fill in the contact form on our home page for free call back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can foreigners apply for debt counselling in South Africa?

A: Yes. DebtBusters confirms foreign nationals can apply for debt counselling under the National Credit Regulator (NCR) framework introduced in 2007, provided they meet three criteria: a valid passport (or ID for permanent residents); proof of permanent employment in SA via a payslip and letter of employment the counsellor will verify with the employer; and debt owed to South African credit providers. Debt taken in another country must be handled through that country's debt-relief processes.

Q: What documents do foreign nationals need to apply for debt counselling in South Africa?

A: DebtBusters requires a valid passport (or ID for permanent residents), a recent payslip and a letter of employment confirming permanent SA work, and bank statements to map income, expenses and a realistic repayment plan. The counsellor will also confirm employment directly with your employer, exactly as they would for a South African citizen.

Q: What happens if I leave South Africa while under debt counselling?

A: DebtBusters notes that leaving the country doesn't cancel your debt — instalments must continue from abroad. Defaulting damages your credit score, blocks future credit in South Africa, can lead to asset attachment, and can make obtaining a South African Reserve Bank (SARB) tax clearance certificate difficult if you have unpaid taxes. The cleanest path is to stay current on payments even while overseas.