INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER WORK VISA

IMMIGRATION ROUTE FOR STAFF MEMBERS TO SOUTH AFRICA

The Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa allows employees of multinational companies to relocate from an international office to a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in South Africa. This visa enables foreign staff to live and work in South Africa for a specified period, making it a preferred choice for global organisations managing talent mobility.

Our experienced immigration experts are here to guide you through every step of the application process, ensuring smooth and successful visa approval.

CONTACT US

Full Name(Required)

Contact Number

Email Address(Required)

Please select the visa category you require assistance with:(Required)

How old is the child?(Required)

Does the child's parent/ guardian have valid status within South Africa?(Required)

What is your marital status?(Required)

What is the status of your spouse?(Required)

What is the number of foreign nationals you are looking to employ?(Required)

CS - Do you currently have a formal offer of employment from a registered South African company?(Required)

CS - What is your highest level of Education?(Required)

CS - What is your expected annual income for the position you have been offered?(Required)

CS - How many years of work experience do you have?(Required)

CS - Is your prospective employer a member of the Trusted Employer Scheme?(Required)

* Trusted Employers who have received this status form the DHA often meet the following criteria: - Have invested more than R100 million into the South African Economy - Employ more than 150 staff

CS - In which country did you complete your highest qualification(Required)

CS - What position have you been offered(Required)

CS - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

GWV - What is your highest level of education?(Required)

GWV - In order to qualify for a General Work Visa, you must have an offer of employment from a South African employer. What is your expected annual income for the position you have been offered?(Required)

GWV - How many years of work experience do you have?(Required)

GWV - Is your prospective employer a member of the Trusted Employer Scheme?(Required)

* Trusted Employers who have received this status form the DHA often meet the following criteria: - Have invested more than R100 million into the South African Economy - Employ more than 150 staff

GWV - Are you proficient in one of South Africa's 11 official languages?(Required)

ICT - Are you being sent on a secondment or assignment to South Africa?(Required)

ICT - Have you been employed in your current position for longer than 6 months?(Required)

ICT - What is the expected duration of your secondment/ assignment?(Required)

RV - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

RV - What is the expiry date of your current visa(Required)

RV - Are you currently residing in South Africa?(Required)

RV - Do you have an offer of employment from a South African employer?(Required)

RWV - Are you currently employed by a foreign entity outside of South Africa?(Required)

RWV - Do you earn an annual salary exceeding R650,000? (UDS $37,000 / EUR 33,000)(Required)

RPV - Do you have a monthly irrevocable income of at least R37,000? (*add)(Required)

RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least R1.8 million?(Required)

RPV - Do you intend on working part time or conducting business while in South Africa?(Required)

RPV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

STWA - What is the duration of your assignment in South Africa?(Required)

STWA - Does your current employer support your work in South Africa?(Required)

SV - Do you have an enrollment letter from a recognized learning institution?(Required)

SV - What level of education will you be completing in South Africa?(Required)

VV - What is your intention in South Africa?(Required)

VV - What is you intended duration of stay in South Africa?(Required)

RNW - What visa do you currently hold?(Required)

Please specify other(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current visa(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current Critical Skills Work Visa?(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current Intra Company Transfer Work Visa?(Required)

PR - What Visa do you currently hold for South Africa?(Required)

PR - Have you received a permanent offer of employment?(Required)

PR - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_CS - What is the expiry date of your current Critical Skills Work Visa?(Required)

PR_CS - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_GWV - What is the expiry date of your current General Work Visa?(Required)

PR_GWV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_GWV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_ICT - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_ICT - Have you been offered Permanent employment by a South African employer?(Required)

PR_RV - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

PR_RV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_RV - Have you maintained your relationship with your South African partner/ South African PR holder?(Required)

PR_RV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_RPV - Do you receive an irrevocable income of at least R37,000 per month (Rental income, dividends, interest, pension, ect )(Required)

PR_RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least ZAR 1,8 million(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - Have you maintained your relationship with your South African partner/ South African PR holder?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

RV - What is the duration of your relationship?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - What is the duration of your relationship?(Required)

Do you have an offer of employment from a South African employer?(Required)

RPV - Do you have a monthly irrevocable income of at least R37,000?(Required)

RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least R2.4 million?(Required)

RPV - Do you intend on working part time or conducting business while in South Africa?(Required)

RPV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

Are you being sent on a secondment or assignment to South Africa?(Required)

PR - Do you have direct family members that are South African Citizens or Permanent Residence holders?(Required)

BV - Do you intend to establish or invest in a business in South Africa?(Required)

What type of business do you intend to operate or invest in?(Required)

BV - Are you able to invest a minimum of R5 million into the South African economy?(Required)

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GWV - Total Points(Required)

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER WORK VISA?

Valid for up to four years, allowing foreign employees to work at the South African branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.

No requirement for qualifications verification by SAQA or professional body registration.

Allows foreign employees of organisations to work in South Africa for up to four years at a time at the locally based entity.

Visa holders can freely exit and re-enter South Africa during the visa validity period.

No need to obtain a Department of Labour Certificate.

Skill verification or assessments by the Department of Employment and Labour are not required.

WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR AN INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER WORK VISA?

The Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa is ideal for multinational corporations seeking a temporary immigration solution to send staff to South Africa. This visa is suitable only if the employee’s assignment in South Africa is for a period of four years or less.

If the employee is needed for more than four years, the Intra-Company Transfer Visa is not the appropriate option. In such cases, employers should consult with our immigration experts to explore alternative visa solutions tailored to longer-term placements.

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR AN INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER WORK VISA?

Applicants must have been employed by the foreign entity for a minimum of six months and submit proof of employment, such as a valid employment contract.

Additionally, the application must include a skills transfer plan detailing how the organisation will transfer the foreign employee’s skills to a South African citizen or permanent resident. This plan supports skills development and knowledge sharing within the local workforce.

INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER WORK VISA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is an Intra-Company Transfer Visa in South Africa?

The Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa, commonly referred to as an ICT, allows a foreign employee of a multinational company to be seconded from an overseas branch to a South African branch, subsidiary, or affiliate for a temporary work assignment.

2. Who qualifies for an Intra-Company Transfer Visa?

You may qualify if:

You are employed at a foreign office of the company for at least 6 months
The South African office is a related legal entity (branch, subsidiary, or affiliate)
You have specialized knowledge, management, or executive responsibilities
The SA branch is registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)

3. How long is the ICT visa valid for?

ICT’s are generally issued for a period of up to 4 years. This particular visa is not renewable; however, it may be extended should it have originally been issued for a period of less than 4 years.

4. Can I apply for permanent residence on an ICT visa?

Unfortunately, the ICT does not provide for a formal pathway to Permanent Residence and it would generally be advisable to apply for a work visa or alternate visa, which may allow for Permanent Residence.

5. What documents are required for the ICT visa application?

Key documents include:

A motivational letter from the foreign and local employer
A copy of the employment contract with the South African branch
Proof of employment abroad for at least 6 months
Company registration documents (SA branch)

6. Can my family accompany me on an ICT visa?

Yes. Spouses and dependent children can apply for accompanying visas, but they cannot work or study unless they obtain the appropriate individual visas (e.g. work or study permits). Children are generally permitted to apply for Study Visas to accompany the holder of an ICT.

7. What is the processing time for an ICT visa in South Africa?

Processing typically takes between 8 to 12 weeks, depending on:

The completeness of your application
The location where it’s submitted (local vs. foreign missions)

8. Can I switch from an ICT visa to another visa while in South Africa?

No. You must apply for a different visa from your home country or country of legal residence. South African law does not allow changes of status from within the country for ICT holders.

9. What happens after my ICT visa expires?

Once your 4-year term ends:

You must leave South Africa
If the company still needs you in SA, they must consider applying for a Critical Skills or General Work Visa, requiring a new application from abroad

10. Do I need to go through a visa agency or lawyer to apply for an ICT visa?

While not required, using a qualified immigration advisor can:

Ensure your application meets all statutory and regulatory requirements
Avoid costly delays or rejection due to administrative errors
Advise on whether the ICT is the most appropriate visa taking into account your

WHY US?

Xpatweb offers tailored, all-inclusive immigration services for businesses and professionals—from identifying the most suitable visa category to preparing and submitting fully compliant applications efficiently and on time.

Our multidisciplinary team of experts brings extensive industry knowledge and experience, ensuring you receive the most effective and strategic approach to your immigration needs.

Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa: Expert Analysis by Xpatweb Consultants