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Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director at Xpatweb and business representative on immigration matters at Nedlac, says while South Africa’s next Critical Skills List may only be finalised after an extensive consultation process, previous interim amendments show that government can act sooner when industry presents compelling evidence of skills which should form part of the List.
Phindiwe Mbhele, Director of Corporate Accounts at the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), previously noted that the List is a living document that can be revised from time to time based on urgent labour market needs, as has happened several times in recent years.
Based on extensive research, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) assists DHA in compiling the List through ongoing engagements.
Maintaining an accurate and responsive Critical Skills List is essential for economic growth and competitiveness as occupations on the List ensures expedited processing of Critical Skills Work Visas for foreign nationals recruited to come and work in South Africa.
Why Early Employer Input Matters
Jacobs says the recently launched Xpatweb 2026 Critical Skills Survey, widely regarded as the country’s largest and most comprehensive employer-led assessment of skills shortages, is a timely opportunity for multinational companies and large corporates to share information about the positions they struggle to fill locally and the skills they increasingly need to source from abroad.
“As business requirements change, it is important to understand whether the current List still reflects the occupations employers are actively trying to recruit. Also, in a time where industries evolve and new specialisations emerge, employers are often the first to identify where skills gaps exist.”
By completing the 2026 Critical Skills Survey employers can share whether the List still supports their hiring needs or whether gaps remain.
List Responsive to Industry Needs
One of the strongest reasons for employers to take part now is that government has shown a willingness to more regular updates, including interim amendments when credible evidence reveals pressing skills shortages, Jacobs explains.
A notable example occurred in August 2022 when the DHA revised the Critical Skills List only six months after publishing the updated version, which was the first update since 2014.
The amendment added more than 30 healthcare-related occupations after severe shortages were identified. Newly included occupations ranged from specialist medical practitioners in 27 fields, dentist specialists in 5 different specialised fields and registered nurses in 6 specialised fields.
Further amendments followed in October 2023, with the addition of veterinarians and veterinary nurses, all motivated by operational data.
Mamphokhu Khuluvhe, a senior official at DHET, recently explained that emerging industries can also lead to skills shortages, such as skills needed for South Africa’s Just Energy Transition programme and which will most probably have to be recruited internationally.
“This is precisely why employer participation matters,” says Jacobs. “The data submitted by businesses today can also help identify emerging shortages and support future policy interventions. The sooner government has visibility of these challenges, the sooner they can be considered.”
Xpatweb’s contribution to South Africa’s Critical Skills framework is well established. Prior to the publication of the 2022 Critical Skills List, Xpatweb became the only private-sector organisation whose critical skills research formed part of the formal consultation process supporting legislative development.
Annually the survey findings continue to be shared with both DHET and DHA to support evidence-based decision-making.
Research, Consultation and Industry Input Drive the Process
The DHET and DHA have been working together since 2018 to develop a more credible and evidence-based Critical Skills List that accurately reflects occupations in short supply while also anticipating future labour market needs to help inform education strategies.
The process includes labour market research, analysis of national development priorities and strategic plans, consultation with industry bodies, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), organised business, professional associations and employers.
The updated Critical Skills List was initially expected to be published during 2026 for consultation, although officials have acknowledged that timelines are dependent on the depth of research and stakeholder engagement required.
However, experts emphasise that businesses should not wait until the draft List is published to provide input, as motivated submissions can help inform the process and highlight potential areas justifying inclusion on the List.
Skills Shortages Continue to Intensify
The findings from Xpatweb’s 2025 Critical Skills Survey highlighted the scale of the challenge of finding the right skills.
The results revealed that 84% of employers experience difficulties sourcing highly skilled talent from the local labour pool, which is an increase from 79% the previous year. At the same time, global competition for specialised talent continues to intensify.
Says Jacobs: “The Critical Skills List remains one of South Africa’s most important economic tools. It influences not only immigration policy and the attraction of global talent, but also long-term planning around education, training and labour market development. But the List can only be as effective as the information that informs it.”
She emphasised that businesses are on the front line of South Africa’s skills shortages. Their insights are essential if the country is to attract the talent needed to support growth, innovation and investment.
“The more credible and representative the data, the more accurately the Critical Skills List can reflect the realities facing employers and help to effectively address it,” Jacobs says.
