Key Facts
- Country Name: Republic of South Africa
- Capital: Pretoria
- Population: 54,956,900 (2015 estimate)
- Language: Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, English, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa & Zulu
- Time Zone: SAST (UTC+2)
- Dialing Code: +27
- Currency: ZAR – South African Rand (ZAR)
This FAQ has been created as an introductory guide to immigration procedures for South Africa. Since rules and requirements in every country are constantly changing and each case must be assessed on its own merits, for in-depth and up-to-date advice, please contact us.
Please note, we can only advise on matters relating to immigration and are unable support you with employment in a new region. We do however have a network of trusted partners that can support your move, so please visit Our Partners page for further information.
Engineering, Steel, Management, Science and Technology and education are all sectors in South Africa which offer employment for expats.
However, the large majority of expats working in South Africa are intra-company transferees who are assigned to a South African branch of a multinational company.
There are various work permit options. However, the main options for working in South Africa are:
Intra Company Transfer Work Visa – for the transfer of foreign nationals who are employed abroad by a foreign company operating in a branch, subsidiary or affiliate relationship with a company in South Africa. The South African company must undertake to ensure that a plan is developed for the transfer of skills to a South African citizen or permanent resident during the period of the transfer.
Critical Skills Work Visa – to qualify for the Critical Skills Visa category, a foreign national will have to fall within a critical skills category published by the Department of Home Affairs, have written confirmation from a relevant accredited professional body registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) or any relevant Government Department confirming their skills or qualifications and their post-qualification experience and provide proof of the evaluation of their qualifications and submitted registrations
General Work Visa (Local Hire) – for foreign nationals locally hired in South Africa (the Department of Home Affairs must be satisfied that a diligent local labour market test has been undertaken prior to application).
Short Term Work (Visitor’s Visa, Section 11 (2)) – to conduct work in South Africa for a limited period (not exceeding three months). Section 11(2) is not another category of work permit and is appropriate in limited circumstances only – specifically where foreign nationals are coming to conduct specific, limited duration work activities in South Africa pursuant to their employment abroad, and would not qualify for any of the available categories of Work Visa nor would it feasible to apply for a Work Visa for such a short period.
Processes and requirements will vary according to the labour market at the time of application, the type of work permit being applied for, the nationality of the applicant, the country of application and personal circumstances of the assignee and any family dependants. We therefore recommend that you contact us for up-to-date information.
The process will generally involve police clearance application, medical examination, visa application to the South African High Commission in the assignee’s country of residence and endorsement of passport with entry stamp.
Processes and requirements will vary according to the labour market at the time of application, the type of work permit being applied for, the nationality of the applicant, the country of application and personal circumstances of the assignee and any family dependants. We therefore recommend that you contact us for up-to-date information.
Applicants will be required to submit a variety of personal and corporate documents to support the application which include, but are not limited to: passport , CV, Police Clearance Certificates, Medical Report, Radiological report, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (as applicable), Proof of Financial Means, marriage certificate and birth certificate for any family dependants; as well as a variety of corporate documents which may include: job description, employment contract/assignment agreement or letter, employer undertaking letter, Motivational Letter, a plan for the transfer of skills from the foreign applicant to South African citizens or permanent residents, and supporting letter and contract from the sending entity.
Some documents may require Apostille or legalisation and translation, which depending on the country of issuance can involve lengthy processing times.
Processing times will vary according to visa type, nationality and country of application. However an indication of processing times is as follows:
Intra Company Transfer Work Visa – It typically takes 1 to 4 months until entry to South Africa
Critical Skills Work Visa – It typically takes 2 to 6 months until entry to South Africa
General Work Visa (Local Hire) – It typically takes 2 to 3 months until entry to South Africa, and a further 2 weeks to 1 month before the whole process is completed
Short Term Work (Visitor’s Visa, Section 11 (2)) – It typically takes 2 weeks to 1 month until entry to South Africa
Intra Company Transfer Work Visa – is granted for an initial maximum period of up to 4 years and can be renewed
Critical Skills Work Visa – is granted for an initial maximum period of up to 5 years and can be renewed
General Work Visa (Local Hire) – is granted for an initial maximum period of up to 5 years and can be renewed
Short Term Work (Visitor’s Visa, Section 11 (2)) is granted for a maximum duration of 3 months and cannot be renewed
Nationals from specified countries can enter South Africa and apply for a visit visa on arrival for tourism for up to 30 days. Check before travel to find out whether you need a visa.
Tourists in South Africa are prohibited from engaging in business, work or academic activities. Therefore, while there is nothing to stop you looking for jobs, you would not be able to commence any form of employment until you have acquired the appropriate work permit before entering South Africa.
If you wish to undertake work in South Africa you must return to your country of residence and apply for the relevant work visa. Once your employment visa has been approved, you may enter South Africa and undertake your employment.
Assignees on an ICT work visa cannot apply for permanent residency in South Africa.
Holders of a general or critical skills work visa may apply for permanent residency after they have resided in South African for a minimum of 5 years.
Please note that the application for permanent residency can take up to 12 months to process.
Requirements and procedures are subject to change, so please consult with your Newland Chase Immigration Advisor for current and detailed information.
In some countries timescales for obtaining police clearance certificates can be lengthy and some documents will require Apostille or legalisation, which can also involve lengthy processing times.
As such, you would be advised to start the visa application process well in advance of the desired date of relocation.