Most banks in South Africa require a South African ID and proof of address to open an account. Foreign nationals who cannot provide these documents are turned away. No salary account. No bank statement for a landlord. No safe place to save what you have worked hard for.
The Mama Money Card is a bank account. Not a prepaid card, not a financial workaround. A bank account, powered by Bank Zero, regulated by the South African Reserve Bank. Open it with your passport, SA ID, or asylum document. No proof of address required. No South African ID needed.
Here is everything you need to know about what the Mama Money Card gives you, why it is built specifically for foreign nationals, and how to open yours today.
The Mama Money Card is a bank account for foreign nationals in South Africa. It is powered by Bank Zero, regulated by the South African Reserve Bank, and available to anyone with a valid passport, South African ID, or asylum document. You get your own account number, your own branch code, and everything a bank account should give you: salary deposits, savings, spending, and sending money home.
Give your account number and branch code to your employer and your salary is deposited directly into your account. It reflects within hours and costs nothing to receive. That is what a bank account does. The Mama Money Card does it.
Transfer money from your Mama Money Card to any South African bank account: Absa, Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank, or any other. Most prepaid cards cannot do this. The Mama Money Card can, for R5 per transfer.
The account limit is R100,000. This is a genuine salary and savings account, not a low-cap loading tool. You can receive your full monthly salary, keep your savings safe, and send money home when you choose.
The Mama Money Card was not adapted for foreign nationals as an afterthought. It was built specifically for people whose reality most South African banks ignore. Here are five reasons it works where other options do not.
Most South African banks require a green barcoded SA ID or Smart ID. Foreign nationals with valid passports, work permits, or asylum documents are regularly turned away. The Mama Money Card accepts any valid foreign passport, South African ID, or asylum or refugee document. No South African ID required.
"You have a valid Zimbabwean passport and a work permit. Three banks have turned you away. With the Mama Money Card, you can open an account today, from the app, in under 10 minutes."
Banks typically require a recent utility bill or lease agreement in your name. Many foreign nationals rent informally, share accommodation, or have documents in someone else's name. The Mama Money Card does not require proof of address. Your identity document is enough to get started.
"You share a room and your name is not on the lease. The Mama Money Card does not ask for a lease."
Getting paid into your own account rather than receiving cash or using someone else's account is safer, more secure, and required for most formal employment. With the Mama Money Card, salary deposits arrive the same day and are free to receive. Share your account number and branch code with your employer and your wages go straight to you.
"Your new employer asks for your bank account details. You give them your Mama Money Card account number. Your first salary reflects the same day it is paid."
You do not need a separate service to send money home. The Mama Money Card connects directly to Mama Money's international transfer network. Send to Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Malawi, India, DRC, Ghana, and 90+ countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe at a flat 5% fee. Pay with the balance in your account, from the app or WhatsApp.
"Your salary comes in on Friday. You send money home the same day, directly from your card balance. Your family receives it within minutes."
Branch visits during working hours are an obstacle for anyone working long shifts or living far from a city centre. The Mama Money Card is managed entirely through the Mama Money App or via WhatsApp. Check your balance, freeze your card, buy airtime, transfer money, access your account details, all from your phone, 24 hours a day.
"You work six days a week. You have never visited a Mama Money branch, because there is no need to. Everything is on your phone."
The Mama Money Card is your Save, Send, and Spend account in one place.
No hidden fees. No surprises. Here is the full fee schedule and account limits so you always know exactly what you are paying.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly account fee | R29.00 |
| Card purchase (once-off) | R99.00 |
| Card replacement fee | R5.70 |
| Reset card PIN | R2.50 |
| Bank Transfer In / Receive Salary | Free |
| Load Cash | Varies by store (app shows cheapest) |
| Use Card In-Store | Free |
| Use Card Online | R1.50 |
| Cashback at Till | R7.50 |
| Cash Send (within South Africa) | R19.00 |
| Bank Transfer Out | R5.00 |
| ATM Cash Withdrawal | R12 + R2.00 per R100 |
| ATM Balance Enquiry | R6.00 |
| Airtime / Data / Electricity / Vouchers / DStv | R1.00 |
| Decline at Shop | R4.50 |
| ATM Decline | R8.59 |
| Online Purchase Decline | R1.50 |
| Transaction type | Per transaction | Per day | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer In | R100,000 | R100,000 | R100,000 |
| Cash Load | R5,000 | R15,000 | R45,000 |
| Maximum balance | — | — | R100,000 |
| ATM Withdrawal | R5,000 | R10,000 | — |
| In-Store Payment | R25,000 | R25,000 | — |
| Online Payment | R25,000 | R25,000 | — |
| Bank Transfer Out | R25,000 | R25,000 | — |
Send more
Upgrade your Mama Money account to send up to R50,000 per order and R100,000 per month internationally. It takes a few minutes in the app.
See your limits and how to upgradeGetting your card takes under 10 minutes. Here is how.
The app is free on Google Play, Apple App Store, and Huawei AppGallery. Or start your registration via WhatsApp by messaging +27 60 091 5591. No proof of address is needed.
Take a clear photo of your passport, SA ID, or asylum or refugee document and upload it in the app. Take a selfie for verification. This is the FICA identity check required by South African law for all financial services. It applies to everyone, not just foreign nationals.
Purchase your card for R99 at any Pick n Pay with a Money Market desk, through any of over 5,000 Mama Money agents across South Africa, or get it delivered to your nearest PEP store. Use the card locator to find your nearest option.
Follow the prompts in the app to activate your card and set your PIN. Go to the Mama Money Card section to find your Bank Zero account number and branch code. Share these with your employer for salary deposits. Your account is live.
For employers
If you employ foreign nationals in South Africa, paying salaries into a personal bank account can be difficult when your staff cannot open one. The Mama Money Card solves this. Your employees can open a bank account with their passport or asylum document, receive their salary the same day for free, and manage their money from their phone. No queues, no paperwork, no friction.
Download the employer information guide for details on how to set up salary payments for your team.
Download the employer guideFor years, getting a bank account in South Africa as a foreign national meant being turned away. The Mama Money Card is built for you. Open yours today.