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Jobs for Foreigners in South Africa Guide
We have all heard the phrase, it is not what job you can do, but what employer you know. However, the right skills and qualifications will open doors to available jobs for foreigners in South Africa. It is useful to know which skills are in demand and what relevant jobs in South Africa are allowed to hire foreign jobseekers.
Available jobs in South Africa for foreigners are advertised online
It is South African law that jobs must first be advertised nationally. If these jobs remain vacant, they are allowed to be advertised as available to foreign applicants.
In other words, only after it has been established that South Africans whom have the required skills are not applying or are unavailable, will a vacancy be open for foreigners and they be granted a permit.
The following skills are often looked for in the South African job market, and an advantage for foreigners looking for work in South Africa:
Advanced ICT
Agriculture
Artisan
Business Administration
Engineering, Various (I.e General engineering.
Chemical engineering)
Executive Level Finance
Executive Management
Executive Level Mining
Healthcare, Various
Languages
Materials science
Meteorology
Mining
Nursing
Physics
Political science.
Risk Management
Specialist & Academic
Find Jobs in South Africa online
Jobs are often advertised on job websites and South African Government Vacancies are always advertised online and published in newspapers.
Topjobseeker and Info-Desk are two of South Africa’s trusted websites that update their South Africa jobs database daily. Most of which are Government Vacancies.
The different South Africa work visa types
Foreigners looking for jobs in South Africa, must remember that South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs considers applications on a case-by-case basis.
South Africa has 4 types of work visa: We list the different work visa types for foreigners and explain them further below. Note: Different work visas are issued different set durations and applications are lodged through Visa Facilitation Services Centres(VFS) across the country or nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad.
General work visa
Critical skills work visa
Corporate visa
Intra-company transfer work visa
South Africa General Work Visa
South African general work visas are only issued to foreigners when there is a lack of appropriately skilled South African nationals or permanent residents applying or available.
General work visas are valid to the foreigner for max 5 years or the duration of the employment contract. General work visas can usually be extended.
General work visa requirements and documents to be presented at a Visa Facilitation Centre (VFC) in South Africa or the nearest South African embassy in their home country.
General work visa application form (Form BI-84) completed and signed
A valid passport with appropriate expiry date of no more than 30 days after the ending of intended visit
Proof of financial means. A bank statement showing that the applicant can support their living expenses until their first salary
Medical and radiology reports
Police clearance certificate/s from the countries that the applicant resided in for 1 year or more since 18 years of age.
Vaccination certificate
Payment to cover the fee
Department of Labour certificate
Proof of qualifications by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
Employment contract, signed by the applicant and the employer
Registrar of Companies proof of the employer’s registration
Required documentation in the case of spouse or children, such as unabridged birth certificate as proof of guardianship / custody or consent from the guardian in the case of an unaccompanied minor
South Africa critical skills work visa
Foreigners with certain sought-after qualifications can apply for a South Africa critical skills visa. A list of these skills are provided by the Minister of Home Affairs of South Africa, allowing employers to recruit foreigners.
A critical skills visa is issued for 5-years maximum with renewal options.
Foreigners who wish to apply for a critical skills visa should make sure they can show proof of relevant qualifications.
General work visa requirements and documents to be presented at a Visa Facilitation Centre (VFC) in South Africa or the nearest South African embassy in their home country.
Critical skills visa application
Critical skills visa applicants must submit the following documents at the Visa Facilitation Centre or South African embassy:
A (Form BI-84) visa application form, completed and signed
A valid passport with appropriate expiry date of no more than 30 days after the ending of intended visit
Proof of financial means. A bank statement showing that the applicant can support their living expenses until their first salary
Medical and radiology reports
Police clearance certificate/s from the countries that the applicant resided in for 1 year or more since 18 years of age.
Vaccination certificate
Payment to cover the fee
Required documentation in the case of spouse or children, such as unabridged birth certificate as proof of guardianship / custody or consent from the guardian in the case of an unaccompanied minor
Evaluation of foreign qualifications by SAQA translated into English.
A work contract as proof of employment must be presented within 12 months since obtaining the critical skills visa.
South Africa corporate visas and corporate worker’s visas
Corporate visas are for companies that need to employ many foreign workers to fill a skills demand, and they must prove that the roles can’t be filled by SA citizens. The application must show the required number of workers and their specific job descriptions.
Each worker receives their own certificate upon approval by the Department of Home Affairs.
The company will next start converting the corporate worker’s visas into a corporate worker’s visa. The corporate worker’s visa will be valid or as long as the corporate visa, up to a maximum of 3 years.
The South African intra-company transfer work visa
For multinational companies who wish to transfer workers from an overseas branch to South Africa. The intra-company transfer work visa can not be extended and is valid for a maximum of 4 years.
Intra-company work visa requirements
The documentation required to apply for an intra-company transfer work visa is similar to a general work visa.
Additionally, applicants for intra-company transfer work visas need a confirmation letter from the South African company of the abroad to SA transfer which states the said occupation and role the worker plus that the employment will be 4 years max.
South Africa visas for business activity
Tavellers who need to carry out business activities for their company back home is not required to obtain a long-term work visa.
VFS Visa Facilitation Centres in South Africa
VFS Visa Facilitation Centre in Cape Town, Western Cape:
7th Floor, 2 Long Street,
2 on Long Building, Cape Town
8001
VFS Visa Facilitation Centre in PE, Eastern Cape:
Office 7C, 1st Floor Moffet
on Main, Cnr 17th Ave and
Main Road, Walmer, Port
Elizabeth, 6070
VFS Visa Facilitation Centre in Johannesburg, Gauteng:
1st Floor Rivonia Village,
Cnr Rivonia Boulevard and
Mutual Rd, Sandon, Johannesburg
VFS Visa Facilitation Centre in Pretoria, Gauteng:
Cherry Lane Office Park, 1st
Floor, 114 Fehrsen Street,
Nieuw Muckleneuk,
Brooklyn, 0181, Pretoria
VFS Visa Facilitation Centre in Kimberley, Northern Cape
Shop no 2, c\o Fatima Bhayat and Boom Street, Rustenburg
Unit 3, Building 2, Agri
Office Park, N12, Kimberley
VFS Visa Facilitation Centre in Polokwane, Limpopo
Shop 13, Thornhill Shopping
Centre, C/O Veldspaat &
Munnik Ave, Bendor Park, Polokwane
VFS Visa Facilitation Centre in Mpumalanga
5th Floor, Office 5F,
Nedbank building, 30 Brown
Street, Nelspruit
VFS Visa Facilitation Centre in George, Garden Route, Western Cape:
Unit 5, Royal Eagle, 5
Progress Street, George
VFS Visa Facilitation Centre in Bloemfontein, Free State:
Suite 4, The Park, 14 Reid
Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein
Most working-age foreigners will require a job offer and work visa before moving to South Africa. It is advised that foreigners looking for jobs in South Africa, stay updated with current visa regulations and requirements.
For full information and the most current work visa requirements, visit South Africa Department of Home Affairs http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/types-of-visas
