Home Affairs @ home Gathers Pace as Smart ID Access Surges 250%, with More Digital Firsts on the Way
28/07/2026
The Department of Home Affairs has expanded South Africans’ access
The Benefits of
the
Trusted Employer Scheme (TES)
South Africa’s work visa system has historically faced systemic challenges, prompting the Department of Home Affairs to introduce the Trusted Employer Scheme in 2023.
Following the success of Phase I, the Department has expanded the Trusted Employer Scheme through the introduction of Phase II, broadening the categories of qualifying employers.
Introducing additional qualification pathways such as:
South African-based employers.
Companies operating or intending to establish Regional or Global Head Offices in South Africa.
Companies undertaking qualifying Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) and infrastructure developments.
Synthetic Financial Centres operating within the South African financial sector.
The objective of the Trusted Employer Scheme is to facilitate investment, attract highly skilled foreign talent and streamline the recruitment of foreign nationals by qualifying employers.
Trusted Employer Scheme Selection Criteria
A minimum of 80 points is required for admission to the Trusted Employer Scheme.
The Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) plays a vital role in creating a more efficient and streamlined process for recruiting foreign talent in South Africa. It represents a significant positive initiative by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to enhance visa processing times and reduce administrative hurdles for employers. Phase II introduced three separate qualification pathways for admission to the Trusted Employer Scheme, enabling different categories of employers to qualify under the assessment criteria applicable to their operations:
Scorecard 1: South African-based Operations
Pledges / Proven Investment 30
Employment 25
Economic Sector 25
Skills Development 20
TOTAL 100
Scorecard 2: Regional or Global Head Office Pathway
Local Presence 15
Financial Contribution 50
Employment 20
Economic Sector 15
TOTAL 100
Scorecard 3: Synthetic Financial Centres (SFC)
SARB Exchange Control Authorisation 40
Regulatory Standing 20
Market Infrastructure Commitment 20
SFC Visa Facilitation Office Certification 15
Skills Transfer Commitment 5
TOTAL 100
Applicants may only apply under one qualification pathway. Submission under multiple scorecards is not permitted.
Benefits of the Trusted Employer Scheme
Critical Skills Work Visa
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) allows Critical Skills Work Visa submissions without requiring immediate SAQA verification and Professional Body registration.
This change significantly speeds up the visa application process, enabling skilled professionals to apply more quickly.
Important: Although these documents are not required upfront, applicants must still obtain and retain them for any future requests from the DHA during the visa processing or after approval.
Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa
The requirement to submit a Skills Transfer Plan has been waived for Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa applications.
While this may seem like a minor concession, it significantly reduces the documentary burden for applicants.
This exemption applies when the company already has a Graduate Development Programme in place, ensuring skills development without the need for an additional transfer plan.
General Work Visa
Applicants may submit their General Work Visa applications under the TES framework exempt from the Points-Based System (PBS).
This exemption removes the need to score points or meet PBS threshold criteria, significantly simplifying and accelerating the visa process.
This results in a streamlined, predictable, and expedited pathway for employers needing to mobilise skills quickly.
Family
The improved processing times and streamlined document requirements for Work Visa applications will also apply to the family members of primary applicants.
This means dependents can benefit from faster visa approvals and simplified documentation procedures, making it easier for skilled professionals and their families to relocate to South Africa together.
Processing times
Applications submitted at the Department of Home Affairs Head Office are expected to be finalised within 5-10 business-day.
Similarly, applications lodged at South African foreign missions will also be processed and finalised within the same 5-10 business-day timeframe.
This expedited turnaround significantly improves the overall visa application experience for skilled professionals.
Permanent Residence
All Permanent Residence (PR) applications that meet the full document requirements are expected to be processed within a streamlined timeframe of 8 months, ensuring faster and more predictable outcomes for applicants.
Trusted Employer Scheme Phase II:
Expanded Benefits
Centralised Adjudication
TES applications are set to no longer be submitted to, or adjudicated by, South African foreign missions. Applications are processed through the Department of Home Affairs Head Office via the Digital Trusted Employer Scheme Platform .
New Digital TES Platform
TES applicants and sponsoring employers now benefit from a fully digital, end-to-end management platform. The Digital TES Platform streamlines the submission and adjudication of applications by reducing manual administrative processes and improving overall processing efficiency.
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Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES)?
TES is a fast-track immigration facilitation programme by the Department of Home Affairs that allows approved employers to recruit and employ foreign nationals more efficiently and with fewer delays.
2. Who qualifies as a Trusted Employer under TES?
- South African-based companies that demonstrate investment, employment, participation in priority economic sectors, and skills development initiatives;
- Companies that operate, or intend to establish, a Regional or Global Head Office in South Africa;
- Companies involved in qualifying Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) and infrastructure development; and
- Eligible entities operating within the Synthetic Financial Centre (SFC) framework.
3. What are the benefits of being a Trusted Employer?
- Faster processing of work visa applications
- Reduced documentation requirements
- Priority service at Visa Facilitation Centres
- Ability to employ foreign nationals in scarce and critical skills positions more easily
4. How do employers apply for TES status?
Interested employers must submit an Expression of Interest through the Trusted Employer Scheme portal available on the Department of Home Affairs website during the application window. Supporting documentation must correspond with the applicable scorecard, and only one pathway may be selected.
5. Is TES available to all sectors or industries?
TES primarily targets sectors with critical skills shortages, such as IT, engineering, healthcare, and finance, but other sectors can apply if they meet the criteria. Phase II further introduced three qualifying pathways for South African-based corporates, Regional or Global Head Offices, infrastructure companies, and Synthetic Financial Centres.
6. What types of visas can TES employers apply for?
TES allows for quicker processing of General Work Visas, Critical Skills Visas, and sometimes Intra-Company Transfer Visas for foreign employees.
7. Are there ongoing compliance requirements for TES employers?
Yes. Trusted Employers must maintain good labour practices, comply with immigration laws, and submit regular reports to the Department of Home Affairs.
8. Can employees of TES employers extend or renew their visas more easily?
Yes, employees working under TES employers typically benefit from faster visa extensions and renewals due to the employer’s trusted status.
9. What happens if a TES employer violates the scheme’s rules?
The Department of Home Affairs can revoke TES status, impose fines, or bar the employer from employing foreign nationals in the future.
10. Where can I get assistance with TES applications?
Xpatweb’s corporate immigration specialists assist employers with Trusted Employer Scheme applications, corporate immigration compliance, and the submission of associated work visa and permanent residence applications.
Contact us to assist with your TES application
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