Critical Skills Work Visa in South Africa

A Critical Skills Visa in South Africa is ideal for professionals whose expertise is in high demand in South Africa. This is a work visa that caters to individuals with critical or scarce skills that significantly contribute to the South African economy.
This visa, classified as a “Critical Skills Work Visa,” allows qualified professionals to live and work in South Africa for up to 5 years, with the opportunity for extension and renewal, provided the individual continues to meet the necessary requirements and their occupation remains on the Latest Critical Skills List.

Importantly, this visa provides a pathway to Permanent Residence Application. Applicants with at least 5 years of relevant experience in their specific field, can apply for permanent residence upon arrival in South Africa. For more information on permanent residence applications, visit our detailed guide here. The Critical Skills List is updated regularly, so if your profession isn’t currently on the list, it could be added in the future. If your occupation is listed, one of our immigration specialists can guide you through the streamlined application process.

Please Note:
Your critical skills visa will only allow you entry into South Africa, from the start date of your employment. It will only allow residence and authorisation to work in your the job specified in your application, to the late date of your employment, for a maximum of 5 years.

Why Choose the Critical Skills Visa?
This visa is designed to help South Africa fill critical talent shortages in industries like I.T, engineering, healthcare, and more. If your occupation is on the list, the eligibility criteria include having a qualification that aligns with South African standards (SAQA), securing a job offer with detailed employment terms, obtaining professional registration, and providing the necessary documents.

For a full breakdown of eligibility requirements and how to meet them, read our comprehensive guide on Critical Skills Work Visa Eligibility. If you are worried your job title doesn’t appear on the Critical Skills List? Alternate job titles and descriptions can be found in this Technical Report by The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

Last Updated: 03/12/2024

When applying for a Critical Skills Work Visa in South Africa, ensuring that you provide all required documents is key to a successful application.
The key documents needed to apply for a Critical Skills Work Visa, include:

• Complete the Visa application form (DHA-1738 Form 8): This form must be filled out in black ink with original signatures—copies will not be accepted.
• Submit your original passport with at least three blank pages for endorsements, valid for at least 30 days beyond your stay in South Africa, and issued within the last 10 years.
• Provide two passport-sized photographs and a copy of the main/bio page of your passport.
• Police Clearance Certificates from every country where you’ve lived for over 12 months in the past five years.
• Medical reports issued within the last six months.
• Academic qualifications and transcripts.
• A South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) certificate verifying your foreign qualifications.
• Proof of registration or membership with a relevant professional body recognized by SAQA.
• Proof of accommodation in South Africa and a cover letter explaining your application.

For a more detailed explanation of each document, including why they are required and how to ensure compliance, visit our Comprehensive Guide to Document Requirements for the Critical Skills Visa.

Processing Time for the South African Critical Skills Work Visa
When applying for the South African Critical Skills Work Visa, it’s important to understand that the full processing time can vary significantly due to various steps in the application process. While the visa itself typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to be processed, several other factors can extend the total timeline.
Here’s a breakdown of the key timelines to consider:

• Police Clearance Certificates:

Obtaining police clearance certificates can take up to 2 months, especially if they are needed from multiple countries where you have lived in the last five years. This is one of the first steps to take as delays in receiving clearances can significantly impact the overall application process.

• SAQA Certificate:

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) must verify your foreign qualifications. This process can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. It’s crucial to apply for this certificate as early as possible since it is a mandatory requirement for the visa.

• Professional Body Registration:

If your critical skill requires membership with a SAQA-recognized professional body, registering can also take 3 to 6 months. While it’s possible to apply for the visa without this registration initially, you must provide proof that you’ve applied. Furthermore, you will need to complete the registration process and receive certification within one year of the visa start date.

Total Processing Time
Considering these factors, the total processing time for the Critical Skills Work Visa can reach to up to 14 months (1 year and 2 months). This includes obtaining necessary police clearance, SAQA verification, and professional body registration.

Why You Should Plan Ahead
Given the complexity and length of this process, it’s strongly recommended to consult with an expert Critical Skills Visa consultant to ensure your application is prepared correctly and to avoid potential delays or rejections. It’s also a good idea to inform your prospective employer about these timelines, as this can affect your start date.

By taking these steps, you can streamline your application and ensure that all required documentation is submitted in a timely manner, avoiding unnecessary complications or repeated applications.

When applying for a Critical Skills Work Visa in South Africa, there are several costs you will need to account for beyond the visa application itself. These include travel expenses, accommodation, and integration costs as you move to South Africa.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the costs specifically related to the visa application:

• Department of Home Affairs Visa Application Fee:

The standard application fee is R1,520 when submitting directly to the South African Department of Home Affairs.

• VFS Fee:

When applying through VFS Global, the additional fee is R1,550.
VFS Fees can be paid by EFT, we recommend keeping a proof of payment ready.

• VFS Premium Lounge Services (Optional):

If you choose to use the Premium Lounge for an expedited and more comfortable experience, the additional fee is R500. This is entirely optional.

• Document Translation Costs:

If any of your documents are not in English, they will need to be translated by an accredited service.

• Medical and Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates:

The cost of obtaining medical certificates and Yellow Fever vaccination certificates will depend on your country of origin. As an example, South African police certificates cost R180 when acquired from VFS.

• Police Clearance Certificates:

Police clearance certificates are required from each country where you’ve lived for 12 months or more over the last five years. Costs for police clearances vary depending on nationality, with South African police certificates costing R180.

• SAQA Application Fee:

To verify your foreign qualifications with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), the application fee is R2145 for the first qualification and R900 for each additional qualification.

• Professional Body Membership Fees:

If your profession requires membership with a relevant professional body, there may be membership and administrative fees involved.

Other Potential Costs:

• Flight and Moving Costs: You’ll need to factor in travel and logistics for any belongings you plan to bring.
• Accommodation: Ensure you budget for accommodation during your stay in South Africa.
• Integration Costs: These could include initial living expenses, setting up utilities, or any local registrations required once you arrive.

While these are the main costs associated with the Critical Skills Visa, the total expenses will vary depending on your circumstances. It is recommended that you consult with a trusted immigration consultant, who will provide you with a comprehensive estimate based on the latest government fees and your personal situation, ensuring you’re prepared for all necessary expenses.
For a detailed guide on the eligibility requirements for the Critical Skills Visa, check out our Eligibility Guide.

Applying for a Critical Skills Work Visa in South Africa

Applying for a Critical Skills Work Visa in South Africa involves several detailed steps.

PLEASE NOTE: To apply for a Critical Skills Work Visa, you must have already received a job offer from a South African company.

Below is a comprehensive guide to the process:

Step 1: Identify and Confirm Your Eligibility

• Review the Critical Skills List: Ensure your occupation is listed on the South African Critical Skills List.
• Qualifications and Experience: Make sure your qualifications and work experience align with the requirements of the critical skill category you are applying for.
• Other Eligibility Factors: Find other elements that define your eligibity for the Critical Skills Here.

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

You can find a list of all Documents and Compliance Requirements for your Critical Skills Visa Application here.
This includes the (DHA-1738) Form 8 Application Form. This form can be filled through either VFS or digitally, while hand-written forms are not accepted.
We recommend keeping a digital and printed version of this and when visiting the South African Mission or Consulate, the forms are printed on normal white paper.
The quality and format of application forms can vary slightly, depending on the local mission. This is why it is recommended to consult and expert in this area to save time and money, especially around document procurement needs.

Step 3: SAQA Evaluation

• Submit Qualifications to SAQA: Apply to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for an evaluation of your foreign qualifications. This includes consent for them to verify your qualifications with the relevant unqiversity or academic entity in which you obtained this qualification.
• Wait for Evaluation: This process can take from several weeks, to 6 months. Ensure you submit all required documents to avoid delays.
• Receive SAQA Certificate: Once your qualifications are evaluated, you will receive a SAQA certificate which is required for your visa application.

Step 4: Register with your Professional Body

• South Africa requires all Critical Skills applicants to register with their respective professional body. This application requires Step 3 above, to be completed, as your professional body will need your SAQA evaluation for your application. The professional Body in South Africa must be recognised by SAQA and can be found on the SAQA Website or HERE

Step 5: Submit Application

• Compile Documents: Ensure all required documents are complete and correctly compiled.
• Submit Application: Submit your application to the South African embassy or consulate in your home country or your nearest Visa Facilitation Centre (VFS). This is a list of South African Embassies, Consulates and Missions abroad, where a Visa Application for South Africa can be made. Applicants in South Africa on a Study Visa can apply for a change of condition in-country with VFS or at The Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
• Pay Fees: Pay the required visa application fee. Keep the receipt as proof of payment.

Step 6: Wait for Processing

• Processing Time: Visa processing can take several weeks. Track your application status online if possible. Keep in mind that there are other factors that can affect your application time, listed above

Step 7: Receive your Visa-Outcome

• Notification: You will be notified once a decision has been made on your application, this is known as a “Visa Outcome“.
• Collect Visa: If approved, collect your visa from the embassy, consulate, or VFS centre where you submitted your application.

Step 8: Enter South Africa

• Travel to South Africa: Once your visa is issued, you can travel to South Africa.
• Border Control: Present your passport and visa at the South African border control upon entry. This visa allows multiple-entry.

Step 9: Renewal and Compliance

• Monitor Visa Expiry: Keep track of your visa expiry date using a Tracking Number provided by VFS, or by contacting the local embassy/mission/consulate where the application was made.
• Renewal: Apply for visa renewal at least 60 days before it expires if you plan to stay longer.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with all visa conditions and South African laws during your stay.

In October 2023, The Department of Home Affairs South Africa, has released a new Critical SKills List.
This list has had a a few work categories added – Read More Here

Disclaimer

At IBN Immigration Solutions, we adhere to Google’s standards for transparency. As a private immigration firm, we follow the regulations outlined in the Immigration Act of South Africa. We are not affiliated with the South African government. Our clients pay for our expertise in handling applications for both temporary and permanent residency. While forms required during the process can be obtained for free at any Department of Home Affairs office, we also provide them as part of our service. Those who prefer to deal directly with the Department of Home Affairs can visit their website at www.dha.gov.za/immigration-services/