Below is How To Get A Work Permit In South Africa
Work permits or temporary visas for work are issued by the Department of Home Affairs. Applications for temporary residence visas are processed and finalized at the foreign offices of the Department of Home Affairs, and you should make travel arrangements only once the visa has been approved. The types of visas are:
General Work Visas are issued to foreigners where it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that South African citizens and permanent residents with the relevant qualifications or skills and experience are not available for appointment.
From time to time the Minister of Home Affairs publishes a critical skills list in a Government Gazette. To apply for a critical skills visa, you must provide proof of qualifications.
Occasionally, multi-national companies may decide to transfer an existing employee in a key position from a foreign branch to a branch, subsidiary or affiliate of that company in South Africa. Such employees must apply for intra-company transfer work permits.
The requirements for general work visa applications can seem quite onerous. There is a role to play for both the prospective employee and employer. Intergate Immigration has successfully been helping applicants with the requirements for general work visa applications since 2006 and to date have achieved in excess of 4000 granted work visas on behalf of its applicants.
Below we detail some of the important factors when assessing the requirements for general work visa applications. But you are welcome to complete our free assessment here or contact one of the clients’ managers on + 27 (0) 21 424 2460.
The requirements for general work visa applications include:
A duly completed application form as per the submitting embassy, consulate or Department of Home Affairs office.
SAQA Application – The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). This is one of the requirements for a general work visa whereby SAQA evaluates all foreign qualifications and converts them to a South African education equivalent.
Police Clearance Certificates (for all applicants older than 18 years of age). This requirement for a general work visa is a document issued by the police or security authority in each country you have resided more than one year and confirms the existence or nonexistence of any prosecutions or convictions that may be registered against you.
Proof of Advertisement. In order to show proof that a local candidate (South African Citizen or permanent resident) has tried to be recruited to the role. These requirements for a general work visa need to meet specific requirements in terms of where placed, size of advert, etc.
Employer documentation that includes your contract of employment and a letter of undertaking for the repatriation deposit.
Medical well-being – part of the requirements for a general work visa application include proof that the applicant is in good health. Applicants will also have to submit a radiological report.
Certain professions in South Africa require foreigners to be registered with the professional organization which has a presence in South Africa. For example, Engineers are required to register with the “Engineering Council of South Africa” (ECSA).
Personal information – this includes such items as your CV, proof of birth, marriage, divorce, and passport.
How long does it take to get a work permit in South Africa?
How long does processing this visa take? Although the South African department of home affairs is committed to processing an application within 30 days, it is more realistic to expect the visa to be processed within 2 to 3 months from the time of lodgement.