SOUTH AFRICA – Trusted Employer Scheme

November 17, 2023


The South African authorities have introduced a Trusted Employer Scheme, allowing South African registered operational companies to potentially benefit from simplified visa applications, accelerated visa processing times for skilled foreign workers and support from the dedicated Trusted Employer Unit within the Department of Home Affairs. Companies will need to score a minimum of 80/100 points and must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Significant Investment in the South African Economy and Pledge: Company must have invested a minimum of 100 million Rand in capital expenditures in South Africa since 2018. Or a company must pledge to invest a minimum of 100 million Rand.
  • Number of Employees: Company must have at least 100 employees in South Africa, and at least 60% of the workforce must be South African nationals or South African permanent residents.
  • Sector Classification: Points are granted depending on the sector the company is registered. Companies in the renewable energy and energy infrastructure sectors will score higher points.
  • Skills Transfer: Programs to develop and upskill the local workforce will attract a score of 20 points. Such programs can include a Skills Transfer Plans or a Graduate Development program.
  • Employment Equity or Equity Equivalents: Points can be rewarded to Companies with a high B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) score.

Deadline for applications is 20 November 2023. Applications are submitted to the Department of Home Affairs.

 

Immigration Insights

The introduction of the Trusted Employer Scheme is a welcome initiative. It is aimed to reward trusted companies a streamlined and efficient process to employ and mobilize foreign nationals into South Africa.

The window to submit registration applications to the Trusted Employer Scheme is limited. The potential success of this initiative will hopefully lead to an extension of the submission deadline or additional opportunities to submit applications. Newland Chase will continue to monitor the developments of the new Scheme and will provide further updates as they become available.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.