Why apply for South Africa work visa?

South Africa’s Critical Skills visa allows non-South African nationals that have exceptional qualifications and skills, considered to be scarce in South Africa, to live and work in the country.

In June 2014, the South African Critical Skills Visa was developed by the South African Department of Home Affairs to help the country bring in the skills and expertise necessary to meet the objectives set out in its national economic infrastructure projects.

Potential immigrants must have experience in an occupation on the South African Critical Skills list in order to be eligible for a Critical Skills visa.

Only those people can apply that have their occupation listed in the Critical Skills List.

As per reports, the Critical Skills List is published in the Government Gazette.

You must apply in person at a South African embassy or consulate; however, petitioners are not required to schedule an appointment ahead of time. After that, you must complete the application form in its entirety as accurately as possible.

Finally, you must present a number of supporting documents demonstrating your eligibility for this form of work permit.

Although the South African authorities strive to assess applications within 30 to 40 business days of receipt, processing times vary.

Please keep in mind that depending on the exact request, it could take much longer. This is particularly true for applications that demand more documentation or information. In that scenario, the petitioner will be contacted personally to arrange for the missing things to be delivered.

Delays are also possible due to the proximity of public holidays and the volume of applications received by the embassy or consulate.

No. A specific job offer is not needed for being eligible. Nevertheless, you will be required to find a job within 1 year of obtaining the visa.

Visas are issued on the basis that the applicant can show that they have the requisite expertise and qualifications in that particular field of occupation, as stated on the Essential Skills List of more than 200 occupations for which there is a shortage of these skills.

If you wish to study/work in South Africa and have educational qualifications from outside South Africa, you will be required to get an evaluation of your qualifications from South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Applying for work permits in South Africa requires the applicant to submit a SAQA certificate of evaluation as well.

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is the oversight body of the NQF and the custodian of its values and quality character.

Functions of SAQA

The role of SAQA is to oversee the further development and implementation of the NQF, and co-ordinate the Sub-Frameworks. SAQA’s functions include:

· Oversee NQF implementation and collaborate with the Quality Councils

· Develop and implement NQF policies and criteria

· Register qualifications and part-qualifications on the NQF

· Recognise professional bodies and register professional designations

· Undertake research and collaborate with international counterparts

· Maintain the National Learners’ Records Database

· Provide an evaluation and advisory service with respect to foreign qualifications

· Inform the public about the NQF

· Provide advice to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

SAQA evaluation determines the level of the corresponding National Qualifications Framework that your foreign qualifications would be equivalent to.

The assessment purpose is intended to identify international qualifications in compliance with the South African National Qualifications System (NQF).

As stated in the above policy and requirements, the role is an integral part of a national recognition value chain. The focus of the role of SAQA is on the position within the NQF of foreign qualifications.

Unique internal standards and requirements must be fulfilled for admission to study; professional licencing; and jobs.

Step 1: Check if your profession is on the Department of Home Affairs’ Critical Skills List.

Step 2: Get your evaluation done by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Step 3: Get your skill assessment by any of the professional bodies/councils recognized by SAQA.

Step 4: Proof of sufficient financial means.

Step 5: Proof of accommodation when in South Africa.

Step 6: Employment contract and other supporting documents. This is an optional step and will be required only when you will be applying with a job offer.

Step 7: Arranging miscellaneous documents –

• Duly completed DHA-1738 form
• Birth Certificate, certified copy
• Passport-sized photos (2)
• Passport, with at least 2 blank pages and expiry not less than 30 days after the expected date of departure from South Africa
• Updated CV
• Medical Certificate. Not older than 6 months at the time of submission. Get the Medical certificate form here.
• Radiologist Report. Not older than 6 months at submission. Get Form here.
• Academic qualifications – certificates, transcripts, degrees etc.
• Extract from the Government Gazette with the critical skill clearly encircled. You will have to submit just the page that mentions your critical skill, and not the printout of the entire Gazette.
• Cover Letter, with your personal details – name, address, contact etc. – and stating that you are applying for a Critical Skills Visa.
• Police Clearance Certificate from each of the countries that you have lived in for 12 months or more since turning 18 years old.
• From previous employers – at least 2 testimonials/recommendations/references.

Step 8: Submitting your visa application.

Depending on your country, you will be required to submit your visa application at South Africa Embassy/Consulate or a VFS Centre.

If you are in India, you will have to apply at any of the VFS Visa application centres that is competent to handling your application.

The cost will be R1,520 if the application is made in South Africa, the cost may vary by country and currency. There could be additional costs in the form of fees to an agency or submission fees.