Do you have good skills and want to work in South Africa? South Africa is one of the biggest and most exciting countries in Africa. Many foreign people want to come here for good jobs. To work legally, you need a South Africa Work Permit. It is also called a Work Visa or Temporary Residence Visa (TRV).
In 2025, the government made new rules to make it easier for skilled people to come. They started a Points-Based System. This guide will explain everything in very simple English. We will show you the best ways to get a work visa and find good expat jobs in cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
Critical Skills Work Visa (CSWV): The Fast Track
This is the most popular visa for skilled foreign workers. The government has a list called the Critical Skills List. This list shows jobs that South Africa really needs. We call them scarce skills.
Why people love the Critical Skills Work Visa
- You do NOT need a job offer first. You can come to South Africa with a 12-month visa to look for a job in your skill area.
- When you find a job, you can change it to a 5-year visa.
- After 5 years of working in your critical skill, it is easier to get Permanent Residency (PR). You can stay forever.
What you need for CSWV
- SAQA Evaluation – You must send your university or college certificates to SAQA. They check if your qualification is the same level as South African ones.
- Letter from Professional Body – Many jobs need registration. For example:
- Engineers need a letter from Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
- Doctors, accountants, teachers, etc., also need letters from their professional bodies.
Jobs that are on the Critical Skills List right now
- IT jobs: Software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity experts
- Engineering: Civil engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers
- Finance: Financial managers, actuaries, risk managers
- Health: Doctors (general practitioners), specialist nurses, pharmacists
- Science: Researchers, geologists
- Many more jobs are added every few years.
If your job is on this list, the Critical Skills Visa is the fastest and easiest way.
The New Points-Based System (PBS) for Work Visas
From the end of 2024, South Africa started a new Points System. Now both Critical Skills Visa and General Work Visa use points. You need at least 100 points to pass.
General Work Visa (GWV) and the new rules
The General Work Visa is for jobs that are NOT on the Critical Skills List.
Good news in 2025: You do NOT need the old Department of Labour certificate anymore! That certificate took a long time. Now everything is decided by points.
How to get points (you need 100 or more)
| What they look at | Example points you can get |
|---|---|
| Qualifications (checked by SAQA) | Master’s or PhD (NQF 9 or 10) = 50 points |
| Salary the job will pay you | More than R976,000 per year = 50 points |
| Work experience | More than 10 years in the same field = 30 points |
| Job offer from a Trusted Employer | Company registered as “Trusted” = 30 points |
| Language | Good English or another South African language = 10 points |
| Age (younger is better) | Under 40 years old = up to 20 points |
| Other bonus points | South African spouse, special skills, etc. |
Now the government looks more at YOU – your education, salary, and experience – instead of only asking if a South African can do the job.
Other Essential Work Visa Pathways
Intra-Company Transfer Visa (ICTV)
This visa is for people who already work for a big international company outside South Africa and the company wants to send you to their South Africa office.
- You can stay up to 4 years.
- The company must make a plan to train a South African worker.
- This visa does NOT use the Points System.
Business Visa South Africa
Do you want to start your own company or invest money in South Africa? This visa is for business people.
- You need a letter from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).
- You must invest a certain amount of money or create jobs for South Africans.
The Work Visa Application South Africa Process
Everything is done through Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and their partner VFS Global.
Step by step (very simple)
- Preparation (takes 6–8 weeks)
- Get your certificates checked by SAQA.
- Get the letter from your professional body (if needed).
- Sign your job contract with the South African company.
- Collect important documents
- Police clearance certificate from every country you lived in for the last 5 years.
- Medical check-up report.
- Chest X-ray (radiological report).
- Passport that is valid for at least 30 days after your visa ends.
- Photos, forms, and proof you can support yourself.
- Book appointment and submit
- Go to the nearest VFS Global centre in your home country (or in South Africa if you are already here and want to change visa).
- Give fingerprints and photo (biometrics).
- Wait for decision
- Normal time is 4 to 12 weeks. Critical Skills is usually faster.
Money and duties after you get the visa
- Your company must follow South African labour laws.
- The company signs a paper saying they will pay to send you home if something goes wrong (repatriation guarantee).
- You must pay normal income tax to SARS.
- Your salary will also pay UIF (unemployment insurance) and Skills Levy – this is normal for all workers.
Bringing your family
Your husband/wife and children can come with you. They get a Relative’s Visa or Dependent Visa that lasts the same time as your work visa. They can also study in South Africa.
Call to Action (CTA)
Do you want to work and live in the beautiful Rainbow Nation? First check the official Critical Skills List on the Department of Home Affairs website. See if your job is there – that is the fastest way!
Never work without the correct visa. It is illegal and you can be deported and banned.
Always speak to a registered immigration practitioner or lawyer before you apply. The rules can change.
Disclaimer:
This information is only to teach and help you understand. Visa rules, fees, and laws can change any time. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website or speak to a licensed immigration practitioner before you apply or pay money.