How Long Does It Take To Get A Work Visa In South Africa

We are often asked how long does it takes to get a work visa in South Africa. It’s a complex process that depends on the type of work visa and the applicant “s qualifications.The South African Department of Home Affairs have a reputation for being painfully slow at processing work visas, so we wanted to find out just how long it takes.

For the expat in South Africa who dreams of finding work there, holding a work visa may just be one step towards your ultimate goal, but there can be quite a few steps prior to that. At the core of this is government bureaucracy and red tape which we will briefly discuss—but first lets look at what lies behind these procedures. The South African government doesn’t just offer any foreigner seeking employment with foreign companies operating in South Africa a work visa as an incentive to relocate and work in the country; no, it has certain expectations that these companies will have to fulfill if they want to employ immigrants—which is why it’s such a long and arduous process.South Africa has always been a popular tourist destination and the popularity of South Africa as the best tourist spot has never declined. The country is a home to various types of species, creatures and birds, who all contribute to making the world an amazing place. South Africa also attracts several people who want to work and live there permanently. However, once you find a job in South Africa you are required to apply for a work visa or a permit.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Work Visa In South Africa

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Work Permits

Foreign workers are required to have the proper visas and work permits in South Africa, as established by immigration laws. Work permits must be secured for employees, and sponsored by a locally licensed and incorporated entity. If you have yet to complete the incorporation process you can use an outsourced management company or GEO Employer of Record to sponsor the employee for the necessary permits.

You must apply for visa in a South African embassy before you arrive in South Africa, and must read all requirements and make sure you follow these requirements to the letter. A visa will take different times to process depending on the visa type and embassy which processes the application. The cost will depend on the type of visa and country of application.

Unfortunately the visa process and requirements are also influenced by the type of visa, nationality of the applicant and which Embassy it the application is lodged with. For example the Embassy may require the applicant to:

Lodge a cash deposit equivalent to the value of a return trip to their home country
Show a police clearance certificate from every country where the applicant has lived (for 12 months or longer) since the age of 18.
Supply medical and radiology reports
Show bank statements
Supply a vaccination certificate (most commonly if the applicant has travelled in a region prone to Yellow Fever)
Show they have medical coverage for their time in South Africa

Applications must be lodged in person, but can generally be picked up by someone else provided they have a letter of consent from the applicant, the applicant’s passport and proof of their own identity.

Your Options

Use your own company

Companies who are properly incorporated and registered in South Africa can organise General Work Visas for their foreign workers. It takes 2-4 months dependent on whether the company is already registered for sponsorship. The processing time varies dependent on the country of residence of the employee.

The processing steps are:

Employee supplies documentation to Company

Company gathers required documentation

Written undertaking to cover any deportation costs related to applicant and dependents
Written undertaking to inform the Director-General if the applicant fails to comply with the visa conditions
Written undertaking to the Director General if the terms of the employment change
Proof of company registration with the CIPC (Commission on Intellectual Property and Companies)
Employment contract signed by employer and applicant. The contract must show the employment is conditional on General Work Visa approval, and that the employee is being paid a suitable market salary or better.
Supporting letter from Employer to state why the General Work Visa is required for this particular applicant
A completed application form: DHA-1738
Proof of the position being advertised in the national print media in South Africa

Company applies for an SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) evaluation of the applicants qualifications (2-3 weeks).

Company applies to Department of Labor for certificate confirming no local person could be employed in the position

Company must confirm to the Department of Home Affairs each year that the employee remains employed as well as update the Department as to the terms and conditions of the employment including the job description.

When this process is complete (1-2 months) the employee must lodge the Work Permit application in person at the South African Consulate in their country of residence. The processing time is 30 days (Consulate dependent). Once the application is approved the employee can then enter South Africa to commence their assignment.

Employee documentation required :

Completed application form
CV
passport copy
2 passport photos
medical report (from within last 6 months)
radiological report (from within last 6 months)
police clearance certificate(from within last 6 months) covering every country where the applicant has spent at least 12 months since they turned 18 years old.
birth certificate
marriage certificate if applicable

Shield GEO Solution

Shield GEO can organise General Work Visas for foreign workers in South Africa. Please reach out to us for a quote. The processing time varies dependent on the country of residence of the employee.