CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA

The Critical Skills Work Visa is South Africa’s premier visa for highly skilled foreign professionals. Designed to attract global talent in occupations identified as critical and scarce skills, this visa supports South Africa’s economic growth by filling key roles in sectors such as engineering, medicine, finance, science, and more.

WHAT IS THE CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA?

The Critical Skills Work Visa allows qualified foreign nationals to live and work in South Africa in occupations listed on the official Critical Skills List. It provides a streamlined pathway to permanent residency and is valid for up to 5 years, with options for renewal.

KEY BENEFITS OF THE CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA:

- - - Valid for up to 5 years, renewable within South Africa.
    - Immediate eligibility for permanent residency once permanent employment is secured, which is dependent on relevant work experience.
    - Dependents, including spouse and children, can accompany the visa holder with dependent visas.
    - Facilitated by a points-based system introduced in 2024, assessing qualifications, salary, experience, and language skills.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA?

To qualify, your occupation must be on the latest Critical Skills List 2023/24, issued by the Department of Home Affairs. Professions commonly listed include:

- - Engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.)
  - Medical practitioners (doctors, specialists, nurses)
  - IT professionals and software developers
  - Financial analysts and auditors
  - Scientists and researchers

hOW TO APPLY FOR THE CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA?

mAIN REQUIREMENTS:

- - Proof that your occupation is on the Critical Skills List.
  - Valid foreign qualifications (SAQA evaluation may be required).
  - Relevant work experience and professional registration where applicable.

ROCESSING TIMES AND VISA VALIDITY:

- - Initial visa issued for 12 months if SAQA evaluation is pending.
  - Full visa valid for up to 5 years once SAQA evaluation is complete.
  - Processing times vary but expect between 4 to 8 weeks.
  - Visa renewals are possible within South Africa.

UNDERSTANDING THE NEW POINTS-BASED SYSTEM (OCT0BER 2024)

All new applications are assessed via a points-based system, requiring a minimum of 100 points. Points are awarded based on:

- - Occupation listed on Critical Skills List (automatic 100 points)
  - Educational qualifications
  - Annual salary level
  - Years of relevant work experience
  - Language proficiency
  - Employment with a Trusted Employer

IMPORTANT NOTES

Breakdown of the Points-Based System

The Department of Home Affairs have gazetted new Regulations on 09 October 2024, which will impact the adjudication of Critical Skills Work Visa applications submitted after 09 October 2024.

All Critical Skills Work Visa applications will now be adjudicated under the points-based system. To qualify, an applicant must instead score a minimum of 100 points. Points are earned through various criteria including qualification, gross salary per annum, years of work experience, Trusted Employer status and language proficiency (table included hereunder).

Applicants for a Critical Skills Work Visa, will immediately earn 100 points through their occupation listed on the critical skills list.

	Criteria	Points (%)	Criteria	Points (%)
Occupation:	Occupation on Critical Skills List	100
Qualifications:	NQF levels 9 and 10	50	NQF levels 7 and 8	30
Offer of Employment (Mandatory):	Above R976,194 gross per annum	50	Between R650,976 and R976,194 gross per anum	20
Work Experience:	5 – 10 years	20	10+ years	30
Employment Status:	Offer from Trusted Employer	30
Language Skills:	Proficient in at least one official language	10

SAQA EVALUATIONS

A Ministerial Waiver was also granted for Critical Skills Work Visas, in response to the significant delays experienced by Applicants in obtaining SAQA evaluation certificates. Applicants who can provide proof of submission of an application made to SAQA of the evaluation of their foreign qualifications, will be eligible to apply for a Critical Skills Work Visa, which will be issued for a period of 12 months. Once the SAQA evaluation is successfully completed and submitted, the visa may be renewed for the full 5-year period, offering greater certainty and flexibility to foreign professionals.

MORE ABOUT THE CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA

You can find more information on our Critical Skills Work Visa Frequently Asked Questions.

THE XPATWEB 2023/2024 CRITICAL SKILLS SURVEY REPORT UPDATES

wHY CHOOSE XPATWEB FOR YOUR CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA?

- Expert visa consultation and application management tailored for skilled professionals and corporate clients.
- Up-to-date knowledge of South African immigration regulations and Critical Skills List changes.
- Trusted by multinational companies to identify the right visa category and ensure smooth applications.
- Conducts the largest annual Critical Skills Survey in South Africa to identify current skill shortages and market trends.

TALK TO 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)

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GWV - Total Points(Required)

Name

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