South Africa Critical Skills Work Visa

The South African Critical Skills visa was created by the South African Department of Home Affairs in June 2014 to help the country bring in the skills and expertise needed to meet the goals set in their national economic infrastructure projects.

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

Length of stay

The Critical Skills work visa can be issued for any period of time up to a maximum of 5 years.

Family

Spouses and dependent family members, such as children, can be included on this visa.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants for the Critical Skills work visa must meet several eligibility criteria for the visa to be granted. Applicants must provide:

• A completed Critical Skills visa online application form
• A passport that is valid for at least 30 days after the expected end date of the visa
• Two separate passport style photographs
• Proof of a job offer – in a profession on the South African Critical Skills list – starting no more than 12 months after the applicant's expected date of entry
• A vaccination certificate if the applicant is planning to travel from or through a Yellow Fever risk area
• Proof of sufficient maintenance funds to last until until the applicant's first salary payment, such as bank statements or travellers' checks
• A cash deposit to cover deportation of the main applicant and any dependent family members if required, OR;
• A signed agreement from the applicant's employer promising to cover the cost of deportation
• Medical and radiological reports issued within the 6 months leading up to the application
• Police/criminal record certificates from all countries which the applicant has spent more than 12 months in since the age of 18
• Proof of application for registration with any relevant professional organisation in South Africa (only required for certain professions)
• A certificate of evaluation issued by the South African Qualifications Authority for any foreign qualifications
• A marriage certificate, or certain equivalent documents, where the applicant's spouse is included on the application
• Birth and/or adoption certificates, where the applicant's children are included on the application

Further Information, help, and advice

We have a handful years of experience helping people immigrate to countries all over the World. Whether you wish to visit, work, or study in South Africa our specialist team of immigration experts can help you with one to one advice, information, and representation when applying for your South Africa visa or work permit.

For more information and advice, kindly reach out to us.