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Work permits

Who needs them?

Work permits

Someone intending to visit South Africa for business purposes, and staying in the country for less than 90 days, needs to apply for a Visitor's Visa (Visitor's Permit). On the other hand, someone who will be spending more than 90 days in the country for the same purposes must apply for the corresponding Work Permit.

Permits are issued to employees and to those setting up a business on their own. Owing to the high unemployment rate, permits to work in South Africa are issued to foreigners only when a particular job or type of job cannot be filled by a South African national. Applications for work permits can be made in your home country or in South Africa; they are initially granted for a maximum of a year, but can be extended.

South Africa issues 5 different kinds work permits: General Work permits, Quota Work Permits, Exceptional Skills Work Permits, Intra Companies Transfer Work Permits, and Corporate Work Permits.

General Work Permits

General Work Permits are valid for the duration of the contract of employment, and require the applicant to submit:

  • A passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit;
  • Proof of financial means to cover the living expenses until the first salary is received (bank statements, cash or travellers' cheques);
  • Medical and radiology reports;
  • A yellow-fever vaccination certificate (in some cases);
  • A police clearance certificate from each country in which the person resided for more than 12 months since the age of 18;
  • A cash deposit equivalent to the value of a return or an undertaking from the employer;
  • A contract of employment signed by the employer and the applicant;
  • Original proof of qualifications and the corresponding evaluation by the South African Qualifications Authority;
  • A translation into one of the official languages by a sworn translator, and proof of registration of the translator (if they are in a foreign language);
  • The original advertisement of the position in the national printed media;
  • Proof that candidates have been interviewed;
  • A letter of motivation from the employer
  • A letter of registration from the relevant professional/body/board council (if needed);
  • Full particulars of the employer;
  • A certificate by the Department of Labour stipulating the salary earned by employees at similar positions in South Africa;
  • Payment of a fee.

In order to keep the work permit, the employee must submit - within 6 months of issuance and every year thereafter - proof to the Director-General that he/she is still employed, the terms and conditions of the job and a job description.

Quota Work Permits

Quota Work Permits are open-ended, and applications must be done at the local or nearest Home Affairs office. They are issued only to foreigners where South African citizens are not available for the position. They require the applicant to hand in:

  • A passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit;
  • Proof of financial means to cover the living expenses until the first salary is received (bank statements, cash or travellers' cheques);
  • A police clearance certificate from each country in which the person resided for more than 12 months since the age of 18;
  • A cash deposit equivalent to the value of a return or onward ticket;
  • Medical and radiology reports;
  • Confirmation of the required experience for the position;
  • A letter of registration from the relevant professional/body/board council (if needed);
  • Original proof of qualifications and the corresponding evaluation by the South African Qualifications Authority;
  • A yellow-fever vaccination certificate (in some cases);
  • Payment of a fee.

The employee must submit to the Director-General confirmation of having secured employment within 90 days of admission, and of continued employment within that category every year thereafter.

Exceptional Skills Work Permits

Exceptional Skills Work Permits are valid for three years, and require the applicants to submit:

  • A passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit;
  • Proof of financial means to cover the living expenses until the first salary is received (bank statements, cash or travellers' cheques);
  • A police clearance certificate from each country in which the person resided for more than 12 months since the age of 18;
  • A cash deposit equivalent to the value of a return or onward ticket;
  • Medical and radiology reports;
  • A letter confirming the applicant's exceptional skills from an organ of State (South African or foreigner), or and established South African academic, cultural or business body;
  • Other proof of exceptional skills (such as publications and testimonials);
  • A Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae;
  • Testimonials from previous employers (if applicable);
  • A letter of motivation indicating that the applicant's exceptional skills will be of the benefit of the South African environment in which he/she intends to work;
  • A yellow-fever vaccination certificate (in some cases);
  • Payment of a fee.

Intra-company Transfer Work Permits

Intra-company Transfer Work Permits are issued to multi-national companies' employees that are being transferred from a foreign branch to South Africa. They require applicants to hand in:

  • A passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit;
  • Proof of financial means to cover the living expenses until the first salary is received (bank statements, cash or travellers' cheques);
  • A police clearance certificate from each country in which the person resided for more than 12 months since the age of 18;
  • A cash deposit equivalent to the value of a return or onward ticket;
  • Medical and radiology reports;
  • An employment contract with the company abroad;
  • A letter from the employer or company abroad confirming the transfer to the branch/affiliate in South Africa;
  • A letter from the South African company confirming the transfer from the branch/affiliate abroad specifying the occupation and capacity in which the person will be employed, and confirming that the maximum duration of the employment will not exceed two years;
  • An undertaking by the employer confirming that the employee's passport is valid, that he/she will be employed in the position for which the permit is issued, and that the employee will leave South Africa once the two-year period comes to an end.
  • A yellow-fever vaccination certificate (in some cases);
  • The payment of a fee.

Corporate Permits

Corporate Permits allow corporate entities (e.g. farmers) to employ a pre-determined number of workers. This permit's validity period is determined and stipulated by the corporate entities upon application. The applicants must submit, along with the application forms:

  • A corroborated statement demonstrating the need to employ foreigner workers, and the number of foreigners to be employed;
  • A job description and remuneration for each worker;
  • An undertaking confirming that the foreigner workers have valid passports, that they will be employed only in the specific positions for which permits are issued, and that they will leave South Africa on completion of their duties.

A cash deposit may be required. The corporate entity will pay it unless the workers are skilled, in which case the workers must pay it.

Unskilled workers will need temporary residence permits to enter South Africa.

Skilled workers will need general work permits, but they will not need to comply all the requirements prescribed for general work permits.

The Department of Labour, as well as the Department of Trade and Industry, must approve the number of foreigner workers before the permit can be issued. After the approval, the Department of Home Affairs can issue the permit and authorisation certificates for each worker. Only then, the corporate entity can start recruiting workers.

If the employee is travelling with his/her spouse and/or children, he/she must also hand in all their required documentation.

More information can be found on the Home Affaires Department site (www.dha.gov.za ).

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