GENERAL WORK VISA

The South African General Work Visa enables foreign nationals to fill positions where no qualified South African citizens or permanent residents are available. This visa simplifies the hiring process for both employers and applicants. Recent immigration reforms in South Africa have introduced greater flexibility, making it easier to obtain this visa and start your employment opportunity.

Navigating South Africa’s immigration system can be complex, but with our expert guidance and a proven 100% visa success rate, we make your expatriation process smooth and efficient. Our team stays informed on the latest regulations, giving you confidence and peace of mind that your visa application is handled by experienced professionals.

BENEFITS OF A SOUTH AFRICAN WORK VISA

Allows visa holders to freely exit and re-enter South Africa during the visa validity period.

Holding a General Work Visa for more than five consecutive years may make you eligible to apply for South African Permanent Residency.

A Ministerial Waiver has removed the requirement to obtain a Department of Employment and Labour Certificate, streamlining the General Work Visa application process.

The average processing time for a South African General Work Visa is approximately 8 to 12 weeks.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN REQUIREMENTS?

Proof of evaluation of the candidate’s foreign qualifications by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is required as part of the application process.

A copy of the applicant’s existing offer of employment must be included in the visa application.

Proof that the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the newly introduced Points-Based System must be included with the application.

HOW WILL THE NEW REGULATIONS PUBLISHED BY THE DHA ON 09 OCTOBER IMPACT MY APPLICATION? BREAKDOWN OF THE POINTS-BASED SYSTEM

Breakdown of the Points-Based System

On 9 October 2024 (revised on 18 October 2024), the Department of Home Affairs gazetted new Immigration Regulations and a Ministerial Waiver, significantly changing how General Work Visa applications are processed.

All General Work Visa applications submitted after this date will now be assessed under a newly introduced Points-Based System. The previously required certificate from the Department of Employment and Labour has been fully waived for all applicants.

To qualify for a General Work Visa under the new system, applicants must achieve a minimum of 100 points. Points are awarded based on several criteria, including:

Educational qualifications
Annual gross salary
Years of relevant work experience
Language proficiency
Whether the job offer is from a Trusted Employer

Qualifications

NQF Level 9 or higher: 50 points
NQF Level 7 or 8: 30 points
Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA, as per the National Qualifications Framework Act.

Work Experience

5 to 10 years: 20 points
More than 10 years: 30 points

Language Proficiency

Proficiency in one of South Africa’s official languages: 10 points

Employment Offer and Salary

Gross annual salary of R976,194 or more: 50 points
Gross annual salary between R650,796 and R976,194: 20 points

Trusted Employer Scheme

Employment offer from a member of the Trusted Employer Scheme: 30points

Further notable changes

The Department of Home Affairs has officially waived the requirement to submit a certificate from the Department of Employment and Labour, as previously mandated under Regulation 18(3)(a) of the Immigration Regulations. This significant change eliminates the need for a separate waiver application, streamlining the General Work Visa process and reducing administrative burdens for foreign nationals seeking employment in South Africa.

In response to ongoing delays in obtaining SAQA evaluation certificates, the Department has also implemented a provisional solution. Applicants who can provide proof that they have submitted their foreign qualifications for evaluation to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) may be issued a 12-month General Work Visa. Once the SAQA evaluation is complete and submitted, the visa may be renewed for the full 5-year period, offering greater certainty and flexibility for skilled foreign professionals.

Our core focus remains on providing legally compliant immigration and permanent residency solutions to corporates, professionals, and high-net-worth families.

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)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

GWV - Total Points(Required)

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

Disclaimer:

We uphold a standard of exceptional responsiveness and proactivity in our email communications. To assist you effectively, please provide us with as much information as possible regarding your enquiry. Without sufficient details, we may be unable to offer the help you need, and your query may go unanswered. We are committed to providing market leading professional assistance to corporates and professionals, with an unparalleled team of immigration consultants, attorneys and administrators; and the quality of the information provided ensures that we are able to best assist our clientele.

Please note that we are a top independent and private immigration practice, completely separate from DHA. We do not function as a division or representative of DHA. Any enquiry received, which was intended to be directed to DHA may go unanswered.

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GENERAL WORK VISA

BENEFITS OF A SOUTH AFRICAN WORK VISA

Allows visa holders to freely exit and re-enter South Africa during the visa validity period.

Holding a General Work Visa for more than five consecutive years may make you eligible to apply for South African Permanent Residency.

A Ministerial Waiver has removed the requirement to obtain a Department of Employment and Labour Certificate, streamlining the General Work Visa application process.

The average processing time for a South African General Work Visa is approximately 8 to 12 weeks.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN REQUIREMENTS?

Proof of evaluation of the candidate’s foreign qualifications by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is required as part of the application process.

A copy of the applicant’s existing offer of employment must be included in the visa application.

Proof that the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the newly introduced Points-Based System must be included with the application.

HOW WILL THE NEW REGULATIONS PUBLISHED BY THE DHA ON 09 OCTOBER IMPACT MY APPLICATION? BREAKDOWN OF THE POINTS-BASED SYSTEM

Breakdown of the Points-Based System

Qualifications

Work Experience

Language Proficiency

Employment Offer and Salary

Trusted Employer Scheme

Further notable changes

Our core focus remains on providing legally compliant immigration and permanent residency solutions to corporates, professionals, and high-net-worth families.

CONTACT US

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