The Republic of South Africa is a multicultural country with a diverse economy. Foreign professionals may find work opportunities across a range of sectors, but the correct immigration route depends on the proposed work and the applicant’s circumstances.
The South African Department of Home Affairs publishes a critical skills list containing occupations that the country has identified as important. Applicants should review the latest list carefully to confirm whether their occupation is included.
Employment opportunities may be available in cities such as Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. Working conditions vary by employer, industry, and role, so applicants should review each job offer and employment contract carefully.
Before working and living in South Africa, a foreign national will generally need an appropriate visa or authorization.
General Work Visa and Critical Skills Work Visa applications are assessed under a points-based system. An offer of employment is mandatory, applicants must meet the prescribed requirements, and they must reach the 100-point threshold.
To learn more about how to acquire a South African work visa, read more below!
Steps to Apply for a South African Work Visa
Step 1. Identify the Type of Visa You Need
For the routes discussed in this guide, determine whether you need a General Work Visa, a Critical Skills Work Visa, or an Intra-company Transfer Work Visa. General Work Visa and Critical Skills Work Visa applications are assessed under the points-based system.
An occupation on the latest critical skills list provides 100 points. If the applicant meets the other prescribed requirements, this may support a Critical Skills Work Visa. If the applicant reaches the 100-point threshold through a combination of other criteria, the applicant may qualify for a General Work Visa.
A Critical Skills Work Visa is not a job-seeker visa. The current application checklist requires a valid offer of employment or an employment contract signed by both the employer and the applicant.
Step 2. Prepare Your Documentary Requirements
Gather the applicable documents listed below and review the South African Department of Home Affairs visa information page. Requirements differ by visa category and may also vary based on where the application is submitted.
If you are applying through VFS Global, begin through the official Department of Home Affairs VFS portal. Follow the instructions for your application location, complete the required form, pay the applicable fees, and book an appointment when required.
Where a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation is required, use the SAQA online application portal. If the SAQA evaluation outcome is not yet available, the current Department of Home Affairs checklists allow applicants for General Work Visas and Critical Skills Work Visas to submit proof of a SAQA evaluation application. In this situation, the visa may initially be issued for one year and extended to the full term after a positive SAQA evaluation outcome is submitted within that year.
Step 3. Submit Your Application to the South African Embassy
Once your documents are complete, follow the submission instructions for your location. Depending on where you apply, you may need to submit your application through a South African mission or a designated VFS Global Visa Application Centre.
VFS Global manages Visa Application Centres for the Department of Home Affairs. Applicants using this channel submit their completed forms, supporting documents, and biometric data at the center. Follow any additional instructions provided for your application location.
Fees and processing times vary by visa type and application location. Confirm the current fees and expected timeline through the official VFS portal or the relevant South African mission before submitting your application.
Step 4. Travel to South Africa
Only make travel arrangements once your visa has been issued. The Department of Home Affairs work-visa checklists require a passport that expires no less than 30 days after your intended departure from South Africa. Entry requirements may also depend on your nationality and travel route, so review the applicable entry, re-entry, and exit requirements. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you traveled or intend to travel from or through a yellow fever endemic area, except when you are only in direct transit.
General Work Visas and Critical Skills Work Visas may be issued for up to five years at a time. An Intra-company Transfer Work Visa may be issued for up to four years and is not renewable. For visa categories that may be extended, the current Department of Home Affairs checklists state that extension applications must be submitted in person no less than 60 days before the visa expires. If the visa was issued for fewer than 30 days, the application must be submitted no later than seven working days before expiry.
Permanent residence is a separate application. A foreign national who has held a qualifying work visa under the Immigration Act for five years and has received an offer of permanent employment may apply for permanent residence, subject to the applicable requirements. Other permanent-residence routes have their own eligibility rules.
Documents Needed for a South African Work Visa
Work visas in South Africa are temporary residence visas that allow qualifying foreign nationals to live and work in the country.
The three work-visa routes discussed in this guide are the General Work Visa, the Critical Skills Work Visa, and the Intra-company Transfer Work Visa. Requirements differ by category. Always review the latest official checklist for your route and application location.
The following documents and supporting materials are commonly required for General Work Visa and Critical Skills Work Visa applications:
Basic Requirements for All Visa Types
- Completed and signed application form
- Proof of payment of the applicable visa fee
- Passport that expires no less than 30 days after the intended departure date from South Africa
- Medical report signed by a medical practitioner and issued no more than six months before submission
- Police clearance certificate from each country where the applicant resided for longer than 12 months during the five years before the application, with each certificate issued no more than six months before submission
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate if the applicant traveled or intends to travel from or through a yellow fever endemic area, except when the applicant is only in direct transit
- Employer undertakings required for the applicable visa category, including responsibility for deportation costs if necessary
- Any additional documents required for the applicant’s visa category, submission location, or accompanying dependent family members
General Work Visa
A General Work Visa may be issued when an applicant reaches the required 100-point threshold through a combination of criteria other than an occupation on the critical skills list and meets the other prescribed requirements.
- Applicable basic requirements listed above
- Mandatory offer of employment
- Evidence that the applicant meets the 100-point threshold under the points-based system
- Outcome of the applicant’s foreign qualifications evaluated by SAQA and translated by a sworn translator into one of South Africa’s official languages, or proof that a SAQA evaluation application has been submitted if the outcome is not yet available
- Full particulars of the employer, including proof of registration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), where applicable
The former Department of Employment and Labour certificate requirement under regulation 18(3)(a) has been waived for General Work Visa applications adjudicated under the points-based system.
Critical Skills Work Visa
A Critical Skills Work Visa may be issued if the applicant’s occupation appears on the latest critical skills list, the occupation provides the required 100 points, and the applicant meets the other prescribed requirements.
- Applicable basic requirements listed above
- Valid offer of employment or employment contract stating the conditions of employment and signed by both the employer and the applicant
- Selection of one occupation or critical skill from the latest critical skills list
- Written confirmation from a relevant professional body, council, board recognized by SAQA, or relevant government department confirming the applicant’s skills or qualifications and appropriate post-qualification experience
- If required by law, proof of an application for registration with the relevant professional body, council, or board recognized by SAQA
- Outcome of the applicant’s foreign qualifications evaluated by SAQA and translated by a sworn translator into one of South Africa’s official languages, or proof that a SAQA evaluation application has been submitted if the outcome is not yet available
People transferring between multinational branches of the same company may need an Intra-company Transfer Work Visa. The applicant must have an employment contract with the company abroad that is valid for at least six months. The application must also include letters from the company abroad and the South African branch, subsidiary, or affiliate confirming the transfer and the applicant’s role. The South African employer must develop a plan to transfer skills to a South African citizen or permanent resident. This visa may be issued for up to four years and is not renewable.
We hope that this article on how to get a work visa in South Africa was helpful! If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
