Work Permits for South Africa

If you’re looking to work in South Africa, you will need to acquire a work permit, but getting one isn’t always a consistent process. Work permits in South Africa are known as work visas and allow the holder to enter, stay, and work in the country.

There are several visas for expats wanting to work in South Africa, including the General Work Visa, Critical Skills Work Visa and the Intra-company Transfer Work Visa.

Working in South Africa

Applying for a work visa for South Africa

The main consideration for work visas is still whether South African citizens can perform the task in question at the same level as the applicant. The documentation required to prove this is a grey area that partially depends on officials’ personal discretion. As a result, patience and persistence are highly advised for expats who don’t have an employer to organise their permits.

Expats must apply for their visa at a South African mission outside the country the first time they apply. They cannot switch from a visitor visa to a work visa while in South Africa.

Types of work visas for South Africa

General Work Visas

To apply for a General Work Visa, you must have a job offer from a South African employer. General Work Visas are issued for the work contract term, up to a maximum of five years.

Prospective employers must prove that they were unable to find a South African citizen or permanent resident for the expat’s position. Additionally, expat employees have to provide proof that they have the necessary qualifications or skills for the job. Expat employees are also not allowed to earn less than the average salary and benefits earned by citizens and permanent residents in similar positions.

Critical Skills Work Visas

The South African Critical Skills Work Visa enables foreigners working within certain fields to enter the country regardless of whether they have an offer of employment, as long as they have an occupation listed on the government’s critical skills list.

As is the case with General Work Visas, Critical Skills Work Visas can only be issued for five years or less. If you’re an expat looking to obtain a Critical Skills Work Visa, you must have a qualification recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

You will need to prove to the authorities that you’ve obtained employment within 12 months of being issued the visa. The critical skills list identifies the main sectors as engineering, information and communications technology, science, research, and medicine.

Intra-company Transfer Work Visas

Multinational businesses often use this visa to transfer personnel between branches in different countries. The Intra-company Transfer Work Visa is valid for up to four years. Required documentation includes an employment contract and letters from both the transferring company outside of South Africa and the receiving company in South Africa.

Corporate Visas

A Corporate Visa for South Africa enables companies to employ many foreign workers. This visa is typically for organisations that need skilled workers, such as mines or farms. It allows companies to hire foreign nationals under a single visa application.

The company’s total staff complement must be at least 60 percent South Africans, and it must prove that it couldn’t find suitable local employees for the roles. If your employer applies for this visa, it makes the application process easier for you.

Useful links

• Department of Home Affairs – Visas

Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, and expats should contact their nearest embassy or consulate for the latest information.