Work Visa
South African Work Visa
How to Apply for a South Africa Work Visa
South Africa offers three types of work visas for foreigners, each with specific requirements to facilitate immigration and employment in the country. As leading immigration specialists, we provide assistance with the following South African work visas:
South African General Work Visa
The South African General Work Visa is designed for foreigners who have received a job offer from a South African employer. This visa is granted when the employer has demonstrated that they were unable to find suitable candidates locally with the required skills, experience, or qualifications. Securing this visa involves several steps, including interventions with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Department of Labour.
South African Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa
This visa is issued to foreigners who are being transferred to a South African subsidiary, branch, or affiliate of their current employer. To qualify, the applicant must show that the South African company and the foreign company are affiliated and that they have a valid employment contract with the foreign company. Although the law specifies that the contract should be valid for at least 6 months, it is generally advisable to prove that the applicant has been employed with the foreign company for at least 6 months prior to the application. This visa is valid for a maximum of 4 years.
South African Critical Skills Work Visa
The South African Critical Skills Work Visa is available to foreigners whose professions fall within specific categories identified by the Minister of Home Affairs. These categories are updated annually and published in the Government Gazette following consultations with the Ministers of Labour and Trade and Industry.
This process aims to address skill shortages in targeted industries by identifying key areas where foreign expertise is needed. Individuals with skills listed by the Minister can apply for this visa to work in those designated fields within South Africa. Importantly, this visa is employer-independent, meaning applicants do not need to secure a job offer before applying.
The application process involves several steps, including joining a relevant professional body and undergoing SAQA evaluation, among other requirements.
As expert immigration consultants, we provide specialized assistance with applications for the South African Critical Skills Work Visa.
