South Africa Visa & Work Permit Guide

All non-citizens must secure a valid work visa before they are legally able to work in South Africa. 

The two primary options for skilled employment are the Critical Skills Visa and the General Work Visa. Both require a job offer and approval by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs.

South Africa enforces labor market protections, especially for general roles.

The Critical Skills Visa is intended to attract professionals with qualifications in shortage occupations and does not require employer labor market testing.

Initial visas are typically granted for up to 5 years for both Critical Skills and General Work visas, and can be renewed. Dependent permit options are also available.

Summary: Legal work in South Africa requires a residence and work permit, usually issued under the Critical Skills or General Work Visa framework for skilled foreign professionals.

Critical Skills Visa

For foreign nationals with qualifications and experience in roles listed on South Africa’s official Critical Skills List.

• Validity: Up to 5 years (depending on contract length)
• Sponsorship: Required
• Transferable: No – a new visa is required for a new role/employer
• Labor Market Test: Not required

Eligibility:

• Must match a role on the Critical Skills List
• Proof of qualifications and experience via SAQA certificate 
• Registration with relevant professional bodies
• CV and employment contract required

Processing time: Up to 6 months
Pathway to permanent residence available after 5 years of legal residence

General Work Visa

For skilled foreign nationals hired for roles where no qualified South African candidates are available.

• Validity: Up to 5 years (depending on contract)
• Sponsorship: Required
• Transferable: No – a new visa is required for a new role/employer
• Labor Market Test: Required – includes Department of Labour recommendation
  
  

Eligibility:

• Proof no South African candidates are available (labor market test)
• Valid employment contract
• Department of Labour recommendation required
• Processing time: Up to 10 months
• Typically harder to obtain than Critical Skills Visa due to stricter labor protections
  

General Work Visa

The General Work Visa route is rarely approved unless all labor market test conditions are clearly met.

Self-Employment or Entrepreneur Visa

Foreign nationals planning to start a business may apply for a Business Visa.

Requires:

• Investment capital
• Business plan
• Registration with relevant authorities
  
  

Exemptions From Work Permit Requirements

Some individuals may work or reside in South Africa without a traditional work permit:

• Permanent residents and citizens of South Africa
• Spouses and dependents of South African citizens or permanent residents may qualify for a spousal or relative visa. Under Section 11(6), work authorization is employer-specific and tied to a designated employer.
• Intra-company transferees (specific visa type applies)
• Accredited diplomatic and consular personnel
  
  

⚠️ Most exemptions apply under strict conditions and must be documented. Always verify with South African immigration authorities.

The default pathway for hiring foreign talent in South Africa is via the Critical Skills Visa:

• The employer (or EOR like RemoFirst) issues a compliant employment contract.
• The applicant verifies their occupation appears on the Critical Skills List.
• Documents are submitted to the South African consulate or mission abroad.
• Approval includes both residence and work authorization.
• Upon arrival, the employee registers with Home Affairs and applies for any necessary local permits (e.g., tax, ID). 

This is the fastest and most reliable method for international hiring in skilled shortage occupations.

(Source: https://www.dha.gov.za/) 

Yes. Work permits (Critical Skills and General Work) require sponsorship from a registered South African employer or authorized Employer of Record.

Sponsoring employers must:

• Draft a compliant employment contract
• Provide job description and proof of business registration
• Submit supporting documentation with or without Department of Labour input (depending on visa type)

Exceptions:

• Entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals (via Business Visa)
• Spouses of South African nationals or permanent residents
• Diplomatic staff or bilateral agreements
• No labor market test is required for Critical Skills applications.

Who Qualifies (Employee Side):

• Non-South African citizen or resident
• Job offer in South Africa
• Matches Critical Skills list or passes labor market test (for General Work)
• Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration
• Clean criminal record 
• Medical clearance and health insurance
• Valid passport (minimum 30 days beyond visa end date)

What the Employer Must Provide:

• Signed employment contract
• Detailed job description
• Salary must comply with local wage laws
• Proof of local business operations
• For General Work Visa: documentation proving labor market test and Department of Labour recommendation

(Source: https://www.dha.gov.za/)

Exemptions and Alternative Pathways:

• Business Visa: for entrepreneurs investing in South Africa
• Intra-Company Transfer Visa: valid for up to 4 years for internal global mobility
• Permanent residence available after 5 years on Critical Skills Visa

Tax and Compliance Considerations:

• Income tax applies from day one of commencing work 
• Residents taxed on worldwide income; non-residents taxed only on South African income
• SARS (South African Revenue Service) registration required
• Social security contributions (UIF) may apply depending on contract terms

Long-term Residence and Permanent Residency:

• Available after 5 years of continuous legal residence
• Permanent residents may live and work without further permit renewals
• Citizenship possible after 10 years (subject to additional criteria)

(Source: https://www.dha.gov.za/)

• Application prep and documentation: 1–2 months
• Critical Skills Visa approval: 2–6 months
• General Work Visa approval: 4–10 months (with labor market test)
• Local registration and permits: 1–2 months post-arrival

Common Delays Include:

• Missing documentation or incomplete qualifications
• Delays at Department of Labour (for General Work)
• Incomplete proof of skill alignment or unregistered professional credentials
• Consulate appointment or submission backlog

Navigating South Africa’s work permit and residence environment can be complex — but that’s where RemoVisa adds value. We help employers and foreign hires by:

• Managing employer-sponsored visa applications: We guide your legal entity registration (if needed), draft compliant job documentation and vacancy justification, and submit work permit requests through the official portal.
  
  
• Ensuring compliant work permit + residence permit processing: We coordinate all required documents (passport, translations, contracts, proof of housing, legal attestations) and monitor approvals.
  
  
• Leveraging global coverage (110+ countries): As part of a broad global EOR network, we make South Africa just one option among many, scaling hiring across regions.
  
  
• Providing managed support from immigration experts: Our team knows the nuances, common pitfalls, and how to anticipate delays or required follow-ups.
  
  
• Bundling visa support with payroll, benefits, onboarding: Foreign hires become fully integrated employees without burdening your internal HR — from employment contract to residency compliance to payroll and benefits delivery.
  
  

Plus: If your new hire has dependents (spouse or minor children), we can help with dependent permits, housing support, and compliance with resident-application requirements.

Find out what specific permits or visas in South Africa we support under our Employer of Record and RemoVisa service.

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• RemoFirst South Africa Country Guide
• South Africa Department of Home Affairs – Work Visas
• South African Revenue Service (SARS)