CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA
What is a Critical Skills Work Visa?
The Critical Skills Work Visa allows candidates who have received a job offer from a South African employer for a position listed on the Critical Skills List to work in South Africa for up to five (5) years.
Where can I find the Critical Skills List if I want to apply for a Critical Skills Work Visa?
The latest Critical Skills List was gazetted on 3 October 2023 (Government Gazette 49402 of 3 October 2023). https://www.dha.gov.za/images/PDFs/CritcalSkills_102023.pdf
What is the processing time of a Critical Skills Work Visa?
The processing time is dependent on the country of submission. On average the processing time for a Critical Skills Work Visa, once submitted, is 8-12 weeks.
What are the requirements to qualify for a Critical Skills Work Visa?
To qualify, applicants must ensure that their occupation is listed on the Critical Skills List, meet the minimum qualification and experience requirements for the specific occupation, be registered with the relevant professional body, and provide proof of evaluation for any foreign qualifications by SAQA if applicable.
What is the validity period of a Critical Skills Work Visa?
The visa can issued for a period of up to five years. This is dependent on the duration of the fixed term contract of employment and the validity of the applicant’s passport.
Can my family join me on my Critical Skills Work Visa?
Immediate family members may apply for various visa categories to accompany an applicant on a Critical Skills Work Visa. It is important to note that children under the age of 18 years may apply for a Study Visa.
Can I study while working on the Critical Skills Work Visa?
One of the benefits of holding a Critical Skills Work Visa is that applicants are able to study on part-time basis while being employed full time.