Do you have your heart set on a career move to South Africa that requires a Critical Skills Visa? Here is an overview of what you can expect to find out about the visa application process, from the moment your employer files their sponsorship through to when you get your work permit.If you want to immigrate to South Africa, you will most likely require a visa. Requirements are often different depending on how you’ve obtained your skills and education. However, the government has been rolling out programs aimed at easing these visa requirements so make sure you don’t miss out on any given opportunities. It’s important to understand the process of acquiring a critical skills visa and what it takes to get one. Here’s everything you need to know about these visas in South Africa.

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

Immigration issues can be incredibly complex. This is especially true when we are trying to make the move overseas. Any one of us would have several concerns in this regard. Sure, I have a lot to learn in this regard but there is no doubt that when it comes to immigration, I am having a ball learning more about it every single day. To give you an idea of the complexity of immigration issues consider the following: should your employer sponsor you for a work visa? Should you try and apply for a student visa? or better still make sure you have an employee-employer sponsorhip?

South Africa critical skills visa

South Africa is a dynamic country with a growing economy and exciting job opportunities in traditional as well as expanding sectors like tech. The South African lifestyle is relaxed but also has a lot to offer in terms of leisure and entertainment, with vibrant cities like Cape Town being magnets for young locals and foreigners alike.

It is normal that many consider making it their home. Some first visit South Africa on a temporary visa, fall in love with the place and decide to move here and look for a job. Others are offered a position with a relocation package and visa sponsorship.

There are many different types of visas for South Africa, including (among others) several short-term, medical, or working visas.

This page includes information about a long-term visa that allows foreigners to work and earn a salary in South Africa, the critical skills work visa (CSWV):

• What a critical skills visa is and its validity
• What are the critical skills sought after in the country
• How to get a critical or scarce skills visa for South Africa

The critical skill visa for South Africa

The critical skill visa was recently launched and replaced the former exceptional skills and quota work visas. It is a work visa that does not only benefit expats but also the South African economy.

In fact, the top goal of the critical skill visa is to assist the South African Department of Trade and Industry in achieving the objectives of programs like:

• The National Development Plan(NDP)
• The Industrial Policy Action Plan(IPAP)
• The New Growth Plan(NGP)

Under the CSWV system, foreigners who possess exceptional skills or qualifications that are scarce in South Africa will be allowed to move to the country and work. The occupations and skills that are in high demand were identified by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

South Africa critical skills visa: validity

A critical skill work visa is not a permanent but rather a long-term visa. It can be used to enter the country to start work but it is not a pathway to permanent residency.

A CSWV can be issued to an applicant for a period of up to 5 years. The actual validity will depend on the applicant’s specific circumstances. If the applicant has not already secured a job and no offer of employment has been made, the CSWV will be valid for no longer than 1 year.

Critical skill visas allow the holder to add their spouse and dependent children to the permit. The applicant’s family members will be allowed into South Africa for as long as the CSWV remains valid.

The critical skills visa for South Africa can be renewed provided that all requirements for renewal are met. Foreign nationals wishing to renew their visa must pay the relevant fee.

Critical skills considered for the visa

The official list of critical skills was published by the Department of Higher Education and Training in its official Gazette in June 2018.

The most sought-after professional figures can be grouped into the following sectors:

Agricultural skills

• Agricultural Engineer
• Forestry Technician
• Agricultural Scientist
• Sheep Shearer

Construction

• Construction Project Manager
• Quantity Surveyor
• Architect
• Land Surveyor
• Urban and Regional Planner

Business, Management, and Economics

• Actuaries and Risk Assessors
• External Auditor
• Corporate General Manager
• Financial Investment Advisor

Information technology and communication

• CISCO Solution Specialist
• Network Analyst
• CISCO Engineers
• Integrated Developers (PHP, Perl, Java )
• System Integration Specialist
• Data Centre Operations

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Engineering

• Energy Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Electronics Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Metallurgical Engineer
• Chemical Engineer

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Health professionals and related Clinical sciences

• Nursing Professionals
• Public Health Physician
• Hospital Pharmacist
• Veterinarian
• Retail Pharmacist
• Medical Superintendent/Public Health Manager

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Life and Earth sciences

• Environmental Engineers
• Biochemists
• Industrial Pharmacist
• Bioinformatician
• Environmental Manager
• Aquatic Scientist

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Professionals and associate professionals

• Land and engineering surveyors
• Materials Engineering
• Technologist
• Electronic Engineering Technician
• Electrical Engineering Technician
• Draughtsperson

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Traders

• Millwright
• Moulder
• Pipe Fitter
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic
• Double Coded Welder
• Raise-bore Operators

Business process outsourcing

• Business Analyst
• Customer Service Manager/Team Lead
• Quality Assurance Specialist/Auditor
• Quality Analyst
• Software Development Engineers and Managers
• Systems Architects, Engineers and Managers

Academics and researchers

Research in any of the following areas:

• Galaxy Structure and Dynamics
• Galaxy Formation and Evolution
• Pulsars and Black Holes
• Dynamic and Transient Bursts
• VLBI Operations
• Pulsars and Gravitational Waves

More countries >

How to get a critical skills permit for South Africa

Obtaining a critical skills work visa is not as straightforward as applying for a simple electronic visa for tourists online.

You will have to apply in person at a South African embassy or consulate — fortunately, petitioners do not have to book an appointment in advance.

You will then need to complete the application form in all of its parts as accurately as possible.

Finally, you must bring with you a series of supporting documents that prove that you are eligible for this type of work permit.

South Africa critical skills visa: requirements

Those applying for a critical skills visa must meet the eligibility requirements. They also must make sure to respect the visa’s terms and conditions for the entirety of its validity period.

Moreover, they must submit supporting documents as part of their application. Supporting documentation for the South African CSWV includes:

• An eligible passport that is valid for at least 30 calendar days after expiry of the intended visit
• A recent health certificate
• A recent radiological report
• Proof of marriage or union in case the family plans to join the applicant in South Africa
• Police clearance certificate(s)
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination where applicable
• A letter by the employer accepting responsibility for the costs related to the deportation of the applicant in case necessary
• Proof that the applicant falls within a specific critical skills category
• Proof of evaluation of the foreign qualification
• Proof of payment of the applicable fee
• Further documents depending on the applicant’s specific circumstances