Work permits or temporary work visas are issued by the Ministry of the Interior. Applications for a temporary residence visa are processed and finalized at the overseas offices of the Ministry of the Interior, and you should only make travel arrangements once the visa has been approved:
General work visas are issued to foreigners when it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that citizens and permanent residents of South Africa who have the appropriate qualifications or skills and experience cannot be employed.
From time to time the Minister of Internal Affairs publishes a list of critical specialties in the Government Gazette. In order to apply for a visa for critical specialties, it is necessary to provide proof of qualifications.
Sometimes multinational companies may decide to transfer a key employee from an overseas branch to a branch, subsidiary or affiliate of that company in South Africa. Such employees must apply for a work permit as part of an intra-company transfer.
The following general documents must be submitted with all temporary resident visa applications on Form DHA-1738, except for medical visa applications:
- a passport valid for at least 30 days after the end of the intended visit
- a photocopy of all temporary residence visas inserted in the passport
- processing fee
- 1 recent color passport-size photo
- certificate of vaccination against yellow fever (if the applicant has traveled or intends to travel through the yellow fever belt area)
- police certificates of all countries where the applicant has lived for twelve months or more since reaching the age of 18
- medical and radiological reports (radiological reports are not required for children under 12 years of age and pregnant women)
Where to apply for a temporary residence visa
Any foreign national wishing to enter South Africa must apply for an appropriate temporary resident visa at:
- the South African diplomatic mission in the country of his/her origin, or
- the South African diplomatic mission in a neighboring country, if there is no South African diplomatic mission in the applicant's country of origin.
- Applications for temporary residence visas are reviewed and completed in the foreign offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. A trip to South Africa should be carried out only after the issuance of a visa for temporary residence.
Extending the validity period of a temporary residence permit or applying for a change of status or conditions
An application for a temporary residence visa extension must be submitted no later than 60 days before the visa expires by submitting an application online at www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica
When submitting an application for the extension of the validity period of a temporary residence visa, a fee is paid.
Submission of an application for a change of status or a change of conditions pertaining to a valid temporary residence visa
An application for a change of status or change of conditions associated with a valid temporary resident visa must be submitted online at www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica during the validity period of the visa.
It is important to note that the Immigration Act prohibits the filing of an application for a change of status or a change of conditions pertaining to a valid temporary resident visa if the foreigner is a holder of a visitor visa or a medical visa. Such foreigners are required to return to their country of origin or permanent residence in order to apply for a corresponding temporary residence visa.
Exceptions are allowed only in cases where the foreigner needs vital medical treatment, or when the foreigner must remain in the Republic to testify as a state witness in a criminal case, or when the applicant is the spouse or dependent child of a work or business visa holder who wish to apply for a work or study visa.
General work visas are issued to foreigners when it has been proven beyond all doubt that citizens and permanent residents of South Africa with appropriate qualifications or skills and experience cannot be hired. Before applying for a general work visa, the applicant's potential employer must apply to the Department of Labor for a certificate confirming that:
- despite a thorough search, the prospective employer was unable to find a suitable candidate with qualifications or skills and experience equivalent to the applicant's qualifications and experience;
- the applicant has qualifications or proven skills and experience relevant to the proposed job;
- the salary and benefits of the applicant are not inferior to the average salary and benefits of citizens or employees who hold similar positions in the Republic;
- the employment contract, which stipulates the terms of employment and is signed by the employer and the applicant, meets labor standards of the Republic and is a condition for obtaining a general work visa;
- proof of qualifications assessed by SAQA and translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the Republic has been submitted; and
- full details of the employer including, where applicable, proof of business registration with the Intellectual Property and Companies Commission (CIPC).
Click here for requirements
From time to time the Home Secretary publishes a list of critical occupations in the Government Gazette. Before applying for a critical skills work visa, the applicant must have their foreign qualification(s) translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the Republic and have the qualification(s) assessed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
The applicant must also obtain written confirmation (endorsement) from a professional body, council or board recognized by SAQA or any relevant government department confirming the applicant's skills or qualifications and relevant post-qualification work experience.
If South African law requires you to be professionally registered in order to practice your profession, your application must include evidence of applying for a certificate of registration with a professional body, council or board recognized by SAQA.
Foreigners who plan to invest in the South African economy by starting a business or investing in an existing business in the country must apply for a business visa. As an applicant, you will be required to make a prescribed financial contribution.
To invest or start a business in South Africa, you must submit a certificate from a chartered accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, along with BI-1738 Form, that you have:
- Not less than the amount in cash for investment in the Republic determined from time to time by the Minister after consultation with the Minister for Trade and Industry or
- At least the amount in cash and capital contribution determined from time to time by the Minister.
- The applicant's undertaking that at least 60% of the total number of employees who will be employed in the production will be citizens or permanent residents of South Africa who are permanently employed in various positions.
- Obligation to register in:
- South African Tax Service
- Unemployment Insurance Fund
- Compensation fund for industrial injuries
- Corporate and intellectual property commissions, if required by law, and
- An appropriate professional body, board or council recognized by SAQA where applicable.
- A police certificate from each country where you have lived since the age of 18, including South Africa
- A letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry for doing business and contribution to the national interests of the Republic.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate if you have traveled or intend to travel through a yellow fever endemic area Medical and radiological reports.
The above capital requirements may be reduced or waived for the following industries/businesses:
- Information and communication technologies
- Production of clothing and textiles
- Chemical industry and biotechnology
- Processing of agricultural products
- Processing of metals and minerals
- Automobile production
- Handicraft
- Tourism
Business visa applications for active enterprises require the submission of the following documents (in addition to all those listed above) along with the temporary residence application form:
- Financial reports for the previous financial year
- Contribution to the national interests of the Republic
A corporate visa allows a legal entity (such as a mining group, farmer, etc.) to employ a predetermined number of skilled/semi-skilled/unskilled workers.
A corporate visa is issued for a period of no more than three years. Applications are submitted at any VFS center or at the nearest South African embassy, mission, or consulate abroad.
To apply for a corporate work visa, a legal entity must submit:
- duly completed application forms signed by the applicants
- a certified statement demonstrating the need to hire foreign workers and the number of foreigners to be hired
- certificate of the Department of Labor
- confirmation of registration of the corporation in:
- South African Tax Service
- Unemployment Insurance Fund
- Compensation fund for industrial injuries
- Corporate and intellectual property commissions, if required by law.
- The applicant for a corporate visa must provide proof that at least 60% of the total number of employees are citizens and permanent residents who are permanently employed in various positions.
- Provide a job description and remuneration amount for each foreign employee
- Obligation to ensure that:
- foreign workers have valid passports
- foreign workers will be employed only in those positions for which a visa has been issued foreign workers will leave South Africa upon completion of their duties
- a cash deposit or guarantee for foreign workers may be paid by the legal entity or the workers in the case of qualified workers.
Once the approved number of employees has been received, the DHA will issue a corporate visa and authorization certificates for each employee in accordance with regulation 18 (2) (b), after which the entity can start recruiting employees. After the corporate visa is issued to the applicant (legal entity), the applicant can start hiring employees, after which the employees apply for corporate employee certificates, and these certificates are issued according to the corporate visa for 3 years, but cannot exceed the validity period of the corporate visa.
Sometimes multinational companies may decide to transfer an existing employee from an overseas branch to a branch in South Africa. Such employees must apply for a work visa for intra-company transfer. In such cases, no evidence is required that steps have been taken to obtain the services of a citizen/permanent resident of South Africa.
An intra-company work visa is issued for a period of no more than 4 years and cannot be renewed or extended.
To apply for a visa, you must provide:
- A duly completed application form signed by you, the applicant
- A passport valid for at least 30 days after the end of the intended visit.
- Payment of the established fee
- Vaccination certificate if required by law
- Confirmation of the availability of funds to cover the estimated costs of living in the Republic before receiving a salary. It should be in the form of:
- bank account statements
- cash
- traveler's checks
- A cash deposit equivalent to the cost of the return ticket
- Employment contract with a company abroad
- Letter from employer/company abroad confirming that you will be transferred to a branch/affiliate in South Africa
- A letter from the South African company you will be working for confirming the transfer from the parent/affiliate company abroad. This letter must state the profession and position you will be working in, and must also confirm that the maximum duration of employment will not exceed 4 years
- Obligations of the employer:
- that you will leave South Africa after the 4-year period, confirming that your passport is valid
- that you will work in the position for which the permit is issued.
- Medical and radiological findings
- A police certificate from each country in which you have lived for 12 months or more since the age of 18
- All necessary documents for your spouse and/or children, if they intend to accompany you
