Newland Chase provides clients with a deep expertise in all areas of South African Immigration as well as effective advice wherever in the world our clients undertake their business. We invest in the best talent to bring you immigration solutions customised to your business needs. Our immigration consultants provide clear and practical solutions in South Africa and globally through 70 offices around the world.
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Employment Immigration
In order to qualify for the Critical Skills Visa category, the foreign national must 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 his/her skills or qualifications and post-qualification experience; and provide proof of the evaluation of his/her qualifications and submitted registrations (if applicable).
The advantage of this visa route is that it is not employer-specific. The applicant does not need to be in possession of an offer of employment at the time of application and he/she can work for any company, business or organisation in South Africa once obtained (although proof of employment will need to be furnished within 12 months).
The General Work Visa, in comparison, requires an employment contact with a South African company, labour market testing and a Department of Labour application.
The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Visa specifically provides for the temporary transfer of a foreign national who is employed abroad by a foreign company operating in a branch, subsidiary or affiliate relationship with a company in South Africa. This visa category is restricted to a maximum period of four years and is not renewable. 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.
Section 11(2) of the Immigration Act makes provision for the holder of a Visitor's Visa to be authorised to conduct work in South Africa for a short-term period of up to three months, and is renewable for a further maximum period of three months from within South Africa. A Port of Entry visa must be applied for at the relevant South African consular post in the applicant's country of citizenship or ordinary residence. Once issued with the visa and upon arrival in South Africa, the applicant's passport will be endorsed with an entry stamp reflecting the Section 11(2) work authorisation and his/her stay recorded on a Visitor's Visa. The visitor's visa under section 11(2) is not a substitute for a work visa; it is appropriate in limited circumstances only, i.e. where the applicant is required to travel to South Africa to conduct short-term work activities for a limited period pursuant to his/her employment abroad, and he/she would not qualify for any of the available categories of Work Visa.
Middle East & Africa
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London EC2R 7HJ
United Kingdom
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