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South African Work Visas
Discover South African work visas to launch your career
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If you're considering employment in South Africa, securing the correct South African work visa is a vital first step. South Africa offers several work visa categories, each with its own requirements, processing times, and challenges. At Intergate Emigration, we specialise in guiding professionals, HR departments, and corporate employers through this often complex and demanding process.
Types of South African work visas available:
> Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Visa
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Critical Skills Work Visa
The South African Critical Skills Work Visa is designed for individuals whose occupations are listed on South Africa's Critical Skills List – roles in high demand that are essential to the country's economy. A job offer is a mandatory requirement for the Critical Skills Visa. However, you may initially apply for a 12-month visa by submitting proof of application for registration with a professional body and proof of application with SAQA. Once you have received both approvals, you may then apply for the full 5-year visa.
Key requirements:
- Qualification aligned with a listed critical skill
- Offer of employment in South Africa
- SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) evaluation of qualifications
- Proof of experience and registration with a professional body (if applicable)
- Police clearances
Common Mistakes & Risks:
- Misidentifying the relevant skill category
- Submitting outdated Critical Skills List references
- Failure to prove the direct relationship between qualification and occupation
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General Work Visa
The South African General Work Visa applies to applicants who do not qualify under the Critical Skills route but have secured a job offer in South Africa. It requires a full labour market test to demonstrate that no suitable South African citizen or permanent resident is available for the position.
Key requirements:
- Valid job offer
- SAQA evaluation of qualifications
- Proof of the employer’s good standing and compliance
Common Mistakes & Risks:
- Employer non-compliance with Department of Labour regulations
- Discrepancies between qualifications and job role
- Misunderstanding of the burden of proof on the employer
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Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Visa
The South African Intra-Company Transfer Visa is suitable for employees of multinational companies being transferred to a South African branch or affiliate for up to 4 years (or 5 years under the amended 2024 regulations).
Key requirements:
- Employment contract with the overseas entity for at least 6 months
- Secondment letter from the foreign employer
- Letter of acceptance from the South African entity
- Proof of skills transfer and return strategy
Common Mistakes & Risks:
- Failure to meet the minimum 6-month foreign employment threshold
- Misalignment between sending and receiving company responsibilities
- Submitting a vague or generic secondment plan
- Misinterpretation of the “skills transfer” requirement
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Corporate Visa
The South African Corporate Visa allows South African companies to employ a pre-approved number of foreign workers for specific positions. Once granted, individual workers still need to apply for Corporate Worker Certificates under the main visa.
Key requirements:
- Motivation for employing foreign nationals
- Labour market testing for each category of employment
- Proof of business viability and compliance
- Ongoing reporting obligations
Common Mistakes & Risks:
- Applying without sufficient supporting labour market research
- Lack of clarity in corporate motivation and job roles
- Poor documentation of internal HR policies and employee oversight
- Non-compliance with post-issuance obligations
Why Use a Licensed Immigration Adviser?
South Africa’s visa regulations are notoriously complex and often subject to policy shifts, processing delays, and inconsistent decision-making by the Department of Home Affairs. Many applicants are unaware of just how rigorous the documentary standards are – or how damaging a declined application can be.
A single error can result in:
- A declined application with no refund of fees
- A ban from reapplying for a specific period
- Delays in job commencement
- Reputational damage to both individual and employer
At Intergate Emigration, our team of licensed immigration advisers ensures that your application is submitted correctly the first time. We’ll evaluate your eligibility, guide you through the paperwork, liaise with authorities, and proactively avoid the pitfalls that cost others dearly.
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