For years, obtaining a General Work Visa in South Africa was a lengthy and bureaucratic process, making it difficult for skilled foreign professionals to secure employment.
Previously, applicants had to obtain confirmation from the Department of Labour (DoL) that no suitable South African citizen or permanent resident could fill the position. This process often caused long delays. Fortunately, recent immigration reforms introduced by Minister Leon Amos Schreiber have removed the DoL’s involvement, replacing it with a streamlined work visa system based on a Points-Based System.
With this major change, it is essential to explore the updated requirements for the South African Work Visa Process.
What is the South African General Work Visa?
The General Work Visa falls under Section 19(2) of the Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002 (as amended). Governed by Immigration Regulations 18(1)– (4), it allows skilled foreign professionals to work in South Africa for up to five years, provided they meet all necessary requirements.
South African Work Visa Requirements
The South African Work Visa Process includes several key requirements:
- Offer of Employment: A fixed-term offer (maximum five years) that is conditional on visa approval.
- Employer Undertakings: Employers must commit to covering deportation costs if necessary, ensuring the validity of the employee’s passport, and reporting visa non-compliance.
- Qualifications & Skills Recognition: Applicants must submit proof of qualification evaluation from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), an electronic certificate with a QR code, and a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level matching South African standard.
- Police Clearance Certificate: Required from every country where the applicant has lived for 12+ months in the past five years.
- Employer Information: Proof of company registration with the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC) if applicable.
- Points-Based System Compliance: Applicants must meet the criteria set under the new Points-Based System.
How the Points-Based System Works
To qualify under the updated South African Work Visa Process, applicants must score at least 100 points based on:
- NQF Level: Between 7 and 10.
- Employment Offer: A job with a gross annual salary of at least ZAR 650,976.00 (if applicable, from a Trusted Employer).
- Work Experience: Between 5 to 10+ years.
- Language Proficiency: Proof of fluency in at least one of South Africa’s 11 official languages.
Additional Requirements
Applicants must also provide:
- Two passport-sized photos.
- A medical report stamped on the official template.
- A detailed CV and job description.
- Proof of financial means (wet ink stamped bank statements).
- Copies of any previous South African visas (if applicable).
South African Work Visa Processing Time
Processing times depend on various factors, including:
- How quickly applicants gather supporting documents.
- The SAQA evaluation timeline, which may take between 21 days and 3+ months.
- The processing speed of the relevant South African visa authority, with applications typically taking 4 to 8+ weeks.
The recent removal of the DoL’s involvement has significantly streamlined the South African Work Visa Process, making it one of the more accessible options for skilled professionals seeking employment in South Africa.
Written by Andreas Krensel, Senior Director, Africa and Europe
