Job Seeker Visa For South Africa: Explained

Embarking on a career journey in South Africa begins with a pivotal step: securing a job seeker visa. Looking for more details? Don’t Worry! we’ve got your back!

This golden key opens doors to the rich cultural tapestry and booming job market of the Rainbow Nation. Whether you’re drawn by the allure of vibrant cities or the call of wild African landscapes, our guide simplifies the visa process, ensuring your focus remains on capturing the perfect opportunity.

Let’s dive in!

Do You Need A Visa To Work/Find A Job In South Africa?

Yes, if you are a foreigner who wants to work in Africa, you need a work visa first, particularly if one of the following applies to you:

You plan to work temporarily in the country (gainful employment or not).
You plan to run or set up a business in the country.
You plan to visit a company in South Africa of which you have more than 25% control share.
You plan to visit South Africa to produce a film, documentary, or TV commercial.
You are an au pair and plan to work temporarily in the country as part of a cultural exchange.
The company you work at will transfer you temporarily to a branch or affiliate of the company in South Africa.
You will be working as an employee or consultant to the government as part of an intergovernmental agreement.
You are a priest or religious worker willing to volunteer at a religious institution in South Africa.

What Are The Types Of Work Permits/Visas In South Africa?

There are different types of work visas available to foreign nations wishing to work in South Africa:

General Work Visa.
Critical Skills Work Visa.
Intra-company Transfer (ICT) Work Visa.
Corporate Visa.

General Work Visa

A South African general work visa is one of the most common work permits that allows you to work for the duration of a work contract or for a period not exceeding 5 years.

The employing company or employer has to prove that a South African cannot fill the position for which you are qualified.

First, however, they must commit to an extensive search for a South African employee to fill the vacant position. If they fail to find someone, they can offer the position to you.

Only then can they obtain a certificate or a declaration from the Department of Labour as proof that no qualified South African citizens could fill the position.

You must submit this certificate and the rest of your documents when applying for the visa.

Additionally, your qualifications have to be checked by the South African Qualifications Authority.

Critical Skills Work Visa

The critical skills work visa is valid for a maximum of five years. This type of visa is intended for skilled workers, whom South Africa finds exceptional.

To obtain this visa, your profession must be listed as one of the professions in high demand in South Africa.

Additionally, you do not need a job for this visa at the time of application. However, it would help if you found employment 12 months after the visa is issued.

Also, with a critical skills work visa, you can apply for permanent residency after you’ve lived in South Africa for five years.

Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Visa

If your company is transferring you for work to South Africa, you qualify for an intra-company transfer work visa.

However, you should have worked in the foreign office for at least 6 months before you can apply to move to South Africa. This type of visa is valid for four years, and you cannot extend it.

If you hold an intra-company transfer visa valid for two years (issued under the old act), you can apply for an extension for another two years.

But, you cannot use those two years to obtain permanent residence in South Africa.

You must also remember that you do not need this type of visa if you will still be reporting directly to and getting paid by the company abroad; in this case, you can apply for a business visa.

Corporate Visa

A corporate visa is issued to a company, not an individual.

The employing company can employ several foreign-skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers, all working on individual corporate worker visas.

A corporate visa is valid for a period not exceeding three years. All applications are made at any VFS Office or your home country’s nearest embassy, consulate, or mission.

What Documents Are Required For A South Africa Job Seeking/Work Visa?

To obtain a South Africa visa, you need to submit several required documents as listed below:

Application Form: You must submit a filled-out application form, which you can find online, download, and print. Please remember to sign it at the end.
Please submit your passport with a validity period of at least three months after you leave the country, in addition to two blank pages.
Proof Of Paid Visa Fee: During the application process, you must pay the required visa fee and submit proof, such as a receipt, to have your application processed.
Proof Of Financial Means: You must also prove that you have enough financial means to support yourself during your stay in the country until you receive a salary. You can submit your recent bank statements, cash, or traveler’s cheques.
Medical And Radiology Reports: Remember that radiology reports are not required for pregnant women or children under twelve.
A Police Certificate: You must also submit a police clearance certificate obtained from every country where you have lived for longer than 12 months.
A Written Statement From Your Employer: Submit a written statement from your employer stating that they will cover all the required expenses related to you and your family moving to South Africa for work— if necessary.
A Certificate Of Vaccination: In most cases, to move to South Africa, you must submit proof that you are vaccinated against yellow fever. This may only sometimes be a requirement, so make sure you check with a corresponding embassy/consulate.
Additional Documents For Family Members: If you have family members accompanying you with a work visa, you may be required to submit additional documents.

These can be a family certificate, marriage or divorce certificate, proof of relationship, etc.

Additional Documents

Depending on the type of work visa you apply for, you must submit additional or specific documents according to the type of permit as listed below:

For a general work visa, please also submit the following:

Certificate from the Department of Labour
Proof of qualifications by the South African Qualifications Authority – SAQA (translated into one of the official languages in South Africa).
Contract employment, signed both by you and your employer.
Detailed employer particulars, including proof of registration with the Registrar of Companies.
All documentation of the spouse/children if they will be accompanying you.

For a critical skills work visa, also submit the following:

Proof of application for a registration certificate with the accredited professional body recognized by the South African Qualifications Authority- SAQA.
Proof of evaluation of your qualifications by SAQA (translated into one of the official languages in South Africa).
Proof of employment within 12 months after you obtain a critical skills work visa. You must provide a work contract that specifies your profession and job position.

For an intra-company transfer work visa, please also submit the following:

Proof of financial means for a return ticket (cash deposit with the same value as the ticket price).
An employment contract with the company abroad.
A letter from the company or employer where you will be working confirms your transfer— the letter must specify your occupation and job description and confirm that your employment will not exceed four years.
A statement from your employer that you will leave the country after four years and will be employed only for the position for which the visa is issued.

For a corporate visa, submit the following (the applying company must submit these documents):

The application form was completed and signed by the applicants.
Statement about the need to employ foreign workers and the number of foreign workers.
Certificate by the Department of Labour.
Proof of registration of the corporation with the following:
The South African Revenue Service
Unemployment Insurance Fund
Compensation Fund for Occupational Injuries
Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission, where legally required
Job description and salary for each foreign worker.
Proof that at least 60% of the staff are employed as citizens and permanent residents employed permanently in various positions (this document is to be submitted by the applicant who is applying on behalf of the corporation).
A written statement which proves that:
1. All foreign workers have valid passports.
2. All foreign workers will be employed only in the positions for which they were issued the permit.
3. All foreign workers will leave South Africa once they complete their duties.
4. Cash deposit or guarantee for the foreign workers (to be paid by the corporation or by the workers in case of skilled workers).

How Do You Apply For A Job-Seeking/Work Visa For South Africa?

To apply for a South Africa visa, you must follow the steps listed below:

Find a job in South Africa.
Determine your visa type.
Schedule an appointment.
Prepare your documents.
Apply.

Finding A Job In South Africa

To be eligible for a work visa in South Africa, you must first find a job there. You can find employment online, check job openings, or contact recruiters from South Africa.

However, this step is crucial as you must show proof that you have a valid work contract to work in the country to apply for the visa.

The only exception to this rule is the critical skills work visa, for which you can apply without a job offer.

However, your profession must be on the critical skills list to be eligible, so check the list carefully to see if you qualify for the visa.

Determine Your Visa Type

As mentioned previously, South Africa offers several work visas, and each application process and list of documents may differ depending on the type of visa.

Which is why it’s essential to see which visa you qualify for. For example, if your profession is not listed in the critical skills section, you can opt for a general work visa for which you need a job offer.

As you can see, determining the type of work visa you qualify for is an essential part of your application process. If you apply for the correct type of visa, your application will most likely be accepted.

Schedule An Appointment

If you know which visa you need, you can make an appointment for your application. To do this, you must first identify where to make this appointment.

Depending on your country of residence, you may be required to apply to a South African embassy, consulate, or visa application center like VFS.

In some cases, applying at a representative office in a neighboring country may even be necessary if South African foreign missions still need to be included in your home country.

Once you find out where to apply, schedule your visa appointment.

You can do this in various ways depending on the foreign mission, either by phone, e-mail, or an appointment online system.

Please set up your appointment as early as possible— most embassies recommend you do so a minimum of three months before your travel date.

Prepare Your Documents

After you have set up an appointment to apply for your visa, you must prepare several required documents.

Remember that depending on the type of visa you apply for, the required documents may change.

You will also need to receive specific documents from your future employer, such as your work contract and a declaration/certificate from the Department of Labour.

You should constantly communicate with your employer to ensure you have all the required documents.

If you cannot provide a specific document, you may apply for a visa waiver to allow you to omit that document— provided you meet the requirements.

Submit An Application

Finally, on your visa appointment, you can submit your application. You may be asked to sit down for an interview regarding your application at the appointment.

Also, you may be required to submit your biometrics (fingerprints) and take a picture.

Once you submit your application, you have to wait several weeks while your application is processed.

How Long Does It Take To Process A South Africa Work Visa?

It usually takes 6-8 weeks to process your South African work visa.

A visa application takes different times to process depending on which country the application was made/the embassy or commission where it is lodged.

How Much Does Work Permit Cost In South Africa?

The application fee for a South Africa visa is R1520, or approximately USD 88. However, you must consider additional fees such as service charges or any fees for particular documents.

Remember that if you’re required to apply for VFS, the fees may increase due to additional costs.

Can You Change From A Student Visa To A Work Visa In South Africa?

Yes, you can. If you are an international student in South Africa and wish to start working permanently, you can apply to change your visa status.

Alternatively, you can work in South Africa on a student visa, however, only for a maximum of 20 hours per week.

How Long Is A South Africa Work Visa Valid For?

The Immigration Office in South Africa issues work visas for only five years.

However, validity periods can vary depending on the type of visa; at times, the visa may be issued only for the duration of the work contract, which can be less than five years.

Can You Extend Your South Africa Work Visa?

Yes, you can. You must, however, apply for an extension 60 days before the expiry of your current visa.

It would help if you met your visa requirements again to renew it— which means meeting any new or updated criteria.

Additionally, you must submit your application in person or at any VFS Global Offices in South Africa, as you cannot submit extensions outside of South Africa.

Also, remember that if you possess an intra-transfer company work visa, you cannot receive an extension as that visa is issued temporarily for only four years.

Can You Bring Your Family Members With You On A South Africa Work Visa?

Yes, you can bring your spouse and children with you. However, they are not allowed to work, study, or run a business in the country; they are only allowed to accompany you.

They should also not be included in the permanent residency application but can apply later for themselves.

Can You Apply For A Work Permit Without A Job Offer In South Africa?

You can apply for a South Africa work visa without a job offer if you are applying for a critical skills work visa.

However, as mentioned above, to be eligible for this type of work, you must meet specific requirements. Otherwise, you must have a job offer to qualify for other types of work visas.

What Are The Benefits Of Critical Skills Job Seeker Visa?

The visa also acts as a job search visa. This means you can stay and find jobs in South Africa for 12 months.

You need to find a job within the validity of the visa, and once you find a job, you need to convert it into a 5-year South Africa Work Permit.

You can bypass the tedious labor certification process required for a General South African Work Permit.

Before you apply for a Critical Skills Work Visa, ensure that there is a demand for your profession in the South African job and labor market and your job skills are listed in the ‘critical shortage occupations skills list.’

Conclusion

With the horizon of South Africa’s diverse job market now within your reach, the job seeker visa is more than just a document—it’s a beacon of hope for new beginnings. Embrace the adventure with confidence, armed with all the knowledge you need to make your dream a reality.

Remember, every great career journey in South Africa starts with the courage to pursue it. Here’s to your success in the Rainbow Nation!

Opportunity Awaits!

But wait! There’s lot more that you might be interested in following: