UPDATE: OCTOBER 2023
The Department of Home Affairs published a new Critical Skills list on 3 October 2023. You can find our update on it here.
Critical Skills 2022
The Department of Home Affairs South Africa has announced the Critical Skills List South Africa 2022. The list was made public on the 3rd of February 2022, however, there is currently conflicting information between the DHA and VFS causing uncertainty as to whether the previous Gazetted list is still in use for adjudication as of the 2nd of February, or whether this a notice of the new list (hopefully allowing for a transitional period to make room for changes or updates to the adjudication process). The list has not yet been posted on the DHA website.
See our Critical Skills Visa Application Page for more information:
The New Critical Skills List 2022 can be accessed here
VFS SA has communicated that the Minister has not withdrawn the old list yet and is still awaiting instructions from Home Affairs.
At IBN Immigration Solutions, we are doing an internal analysis on variances between the lists and how they will affect current and future applicants, private and corporate. New roles and removed roles have been listed below for quick reference. Please find the full Critical Skills List here – Adjusted Critical Skills List in South Africa – 02 August 2022. Further updates will be published as new information is forthcoming.
Your consultant will be in touch to discuss your individual circumstances, once we have received clarity from the DHA on when exactly the list has taken or will take effect.
Please contact us for more information on applying for the Critical Skills Visa in SA. You can find more details on this visa here.
Click here to see the new Critical Skills List in South Africa 2022:
(Adjusted on the 2nd of August 2022)
New Roles:
- Zoologist
- Director (Enterprise organisation, medium or larger)
- Supply and Distribution Manager
- Chief Information Officer
- Call or Contact Centre Manager
- Mineralogist
- Aeronautical Engineering Technologist
- Naval Architect
- Biomedical Engineer
- Agricultural Engineer Technologist
- Multimedia Designer
- Nurse Educator
- FET Phase School Teacher Grades 10 – 12 (STEM subjects only)
- Senior Phase School Teacher Grades 8- 10 (STEM subjects only)
- Tax Professional
- Forensic Accountant
- Policy Analyst
- Corporate Treasurer
- Internal Auditor
- Occupational Instructor (Air-Traffic Space)
- Market Research Analyst
- Multimedia Specialist
- Economist
- Air Traffic Controller
- Metal Machinist
- Lift Mechanic
- Transportation Electrician
Removed Roles:
Category: Agriculture and Agricultural Operational Sciences
- Forestry Technician
- Sheep Shearer
Category: Architecture and the Built Environment
- Construction Project Manager
- Land Surveyor
Category: Engineering
- Electrical Installation Inspector
- Automotive Motor Mechanic
- Boiler Maker
- Diesel Mechanic
- Fitter and Turner
- Pressure Welder
- Structural Plaster
- Toolmaker
Category: Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences
- Medical Superintendent/Public Health Manager
- Public Health Physician
- General and Specialist Physician
- Hospital Pharmacist
- Nursing Professionals
- Veterinarian
- Registered Nurse (child and family health)
- Retail Pharmacist
Category: Life and Earth Sciences
- Industrial Pharmacist
Category: Professionals and Associate Professionals
- Surveying Technician
- Geomatics Technician
- Materials Engineer (Non-destructive Testing)
- Materials Engineering Technician (Road Materials)
- Materials Tester
- Solar Physicist
- Space Physicist
- Plasma Physicist
- Space Technologist
- Space Weather Specialist
- Magnetic Technology Specialist
- Radar Engineering
- Radio Frequency Engineering
- Landscape Architect
- Landscape Contract Manager
- Landscape Horticulturalist
Category: Trades
- Boilermaker (for strategic infrastructure projects)
- Pipe Fitter
- Double-coded welder
- Rigger
- Moulder
- Raise-Bore Operators
- Raise-Bore Foreman
Category: Postgraduate
Doctoral Graduate (acquired in SA)
