Work Visas

Work Visa

General Work Visa

• A general work visa will be issued for a maximum period of 5 years or in line with the employment contract. Provided that the passport is valid.
• A general work visa can be extended in South Africa.
• A report from the Department of Labour is required in support of the general work visa. The general work visa cannot be submitted without the report from the Department of Labour.
• A general work visa is employer specific.
• A foreigner applying for a general work visa will be required to have his/her foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority.


Intra-Company Transfer Visa

• An intra-company transfer work visa will be issued for a period of 4 years.
• An intra-company transfer work visa cannot be extended.
• An intra-company transfer work visa must be accompanied by a transfer of skills plan.
• An intra-company transfer work visa is employer specific.
• An intra-company transfer work visa is issued to foreign professionals who intend to transfer within a branch, subsidiary or an affiliate company.


Critical Skills Work Visa

• A critical skills visa will be issued to a foreigner who falls within a specific professional category or occupational class, published in the Government Gazette.
• A critical skills visa will be issued for a maximum period of 5 years or in line with the employment contract. Provided that the passport is valid.
• A critical skills visa can be extended in South Africa.
• A critical skills work visa is not employer specific.
• A foreigner applying for a critical skills work visa will be required to register at the relevant professional body, council or board that is recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority.
• A foreigner applying for a critical skills work visa will be required to have his/her foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority.



Corporate Work Visa

• A Company corporate visa will be issued for a period of 3 years.
• A Company corporate visa cannot be extended.
• A recommendation from the Department of Labour must be submitted in support of the Corporate work visa application.

• A recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry must be submitted in support of the Corporate work visa application.



Individual Corporate Work visa

• An individual corporate work visa will be issued for a period of 3 years which will be in line with the company corporate visa.
• A foreigner applying for an individual corporate work visa will be required to register at the relevant professional body, council or board that is recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority.
• A foreigner applying for an individual corporate work visa will be required to have his/her foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority.