Working Legally in South Africa
Expats who want to work legally in South Africa are required to obtain a work permit. The application for a work permit must be made by the expat’s employer, not the expat themselves. There are some exemptions to the work permit requirement for expats, such as those who are married to a South African citizen or permanent resident, and those who are in the country for less than 90 days.
Types of Work Permits for Expats in South Africa
There are several types of work permits available for expats in South Africa, each with different eligibility requirements. These include:
General Work Visa: This visa is for expats who have a job offer from a South African company. The company must prove that they were unable to find a suitable South African citizen or permanent resident to fill the position.
Intra-Company Transfer Visa: This visa is for expats who are transferring within their company from an overseas branch to a South African branch.
Critical Skills Visa: This visa is for expats with skills in critical shortage areas in South Africa, such as engineering, information technology, and health care.
Treaty Visa: This visa is for expats from countries that have a treaty with South Africa that allows for visa-free travel for business purposes.
Work Permit Application Process in South Africa
The process of obtaining a work permit in South Africa can be complicated and time-consuming. The following steps must be followed:
The employer must first apply for a certificate of exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, which can take up to 6 months.
Once the certificate of exemption has been obtained, the employer must apply for the work permit. This can take up to 90 days.
The expat must then apply for a visa at a South African embassy or consulate in their home country. This can take up to 6 weeks.
Once the visa has been granted, the expat can enter South Africa and start work.
Work Permit Documents in South Africa
The following documents are required to apply for a work permit in South Africa:
A valid passport
Two passport-sized photos
A certified copy of the expat’s qualifications and work experience
A medical certificate
A police clearance certificate from the expat’s home country
A job offer letter from the South African employer
Proof of the employer’s financial stability, such as a tax clearance certificate
Work Permit Costs in South Africa
The costs involved in applying for a work permit in South Africa can vary, but typically include the following:
Application fee: This is a fee charged by the South African government to process the work permit application. The fee varies depending on the type of work permit being applied for.
Legal fees: The employer may be required to pay legal fees to a South African immigration lawyer to assist with the work permit application process.
Visa fee: The expat must pay a fee to the South African embassy or consulate for the visa application.
Reliable Information on Working Legally in South Africa
Expats can find reliable information on working legally in South Africa from the following sources:
The South African Department of Home Affairs: This government department is responsible for immigration in South Africa and has information on work permits on its website.
