South Africa Critical Skills

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Immigrate to South Africa as a Skilled Worker through the Critical Skills Work Visa South Africa Issues to In-Demand Foreign Talents

If you are a professional with expertise and in-demand skills in any sector of the industry, go for a Critical Skills Work Visa South Africa issue to people like you.

With the Critical Skills Work Visa South Africa intends to enable the Department and the SA government to succeed in achieving the aims of programs like IPAP (Industrial Policy Action Plan), NDP (National Development Plan), and NGP (New Growth Plan). The Dept. of Home Affairs in South Africa made some recent amends to the legislation for immigration. Various changes have been made leading to the introduction of CSWV (Critical Skills Work Visa).

What is the Critical Skills Work Visa South Africa issuing for?

The Critical Skills Work Visa is a result of merging 2 former visas namely:

  • Exceptional Skills visas
  • Quota Work visas

The Quota Work visa was issued lining up with the Quota List of 2009. This list contained skills categories, the quota of skills, and requirements aimed at by the Republic of South Africa.

The Critical Skills work visa South Africa issues are in accordance with the critical skills list. The list was made in conjunction with the jobs that are in high demand and the scarce skills lists of the DHET (Dept. of Higher Education and Training). The central objective of the critical skills work visa is to help the government achieve the success in the following:

  • Strategic Infrastructure Projects
  • National Infrastructure Project
  • Key national strategic projects that lend support to the Dept. of Trade & Industry

South Africa work permit requirements for Critical Skills Visa

  • Online form duly completed. No handwritten forms will be accepted by the Dept. of Home Affairs
  • A valid passport with validity of or above 30 calendar days after the expiry of the intended visit
  • A medical report that dates back no farther than 6 months
  • A radiological report that dates back no farther than 6 months
  • A marriage certificate or proof of official recognition thereof (in the case of a foreign spousal relationship) issued by the authorities of the foreign country of the applicant (in case it’s applicable).
  • The affidavit where your relationship to a South African citizen/resident is applicable and documentation that proves your cohabitation and the limits of related financial responsibilities that are shared by you and the other party and giving the particulars of children in your relationship with your spouse
  • Proof of a union with recognition in terms of the recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 1998 where applicable
  • Decree of divorce where applicable
  • Proof of court order that awarded custody, where applicable
  • Death certificate of late spouse, where applicable.
  • Consent in writing from both parents and/or the only custody parent, where applicable, with proof of such custody
  • Proof of adoption done legally, where applicable
  • Legal order for separation, where applicable
  • Clearance certificate issued by the police/security authority in each country where you, the relevant applicant, lived for at least 12 months after reaching the age of 18, as to your criminal records or your character, which certificate shall be issued not before 6 months when you make a submission (on the condition that the certificate shall not be needed from a foreign country if renewal/extension of a visa is done but from the republic)
  • A certificate of vaccination for yellow fever if you traveled or is intending to travel from or transiting via an endemic area with yellow fever: (on the condition that the certificate shall not be needed where you traveled or intends to travel in direct transit via such area)
  • An undertaking in writing by your employer that he/she accepts the responsibility for the costs related to your deportation and your dependent family members, if it becomes necessary (if there’s no employer, present proof of enough financial means to the value of at least r3,000 in the form of bank statements of 3 months)
  • A written undertaking by your employer to ensure that your passport is valid at all times for the duration of your employment (where there is no employer: a written undertaking by you to ensure that your passport of the applicant shall be valid at all times for the duration of your temporary visa)
  • Proof that you (the applicant) come under the critical skills category by specifically indicating the critical skill/occupation for which the application is being made (The critical skill/ occupation must be on the critical skills list)
  • Proof of evaluation of your foreign qualification by SAQA and translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the Republic of South Africa
  • If asked for by law, proof of application for a registration certificate with the council, professional body, or board with recognition of SAQA in terms of section 13(1) (i) of the National Qualifications Framework act
  • Written confirmation from the council, professional body, or board with recognition from SAQA in terms of section 13(1)(0) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, or a confirmation from any relevant government department that your qualifications/skills and appropriate post-qualification experience are genuine
  • Proof that you have made the payment of the fees applicable

Requirements for renewal of Critical Skills Work Visa

  • Online form duly completed. no handwritten forms will be accepted by the Dept. of Home Affairs
  • A valid passport with validity of or above 30 calendar days after the expiry of the intended visit
  • A medical report that dates back no farther than 6 months
  • A radiological report that dates back no farther than 6 months
  • A marriage certificate or proof of official recognition thereof (in the case of a foreign spousal relationship) issued by the authorities of the foreign country of the applicant (in case it’s applicable).
  • The affidavit where your relationship to a South African citizen/resident is applicable and documentation that proves your cohabitation and the limits of related financial responsibilities that are shared by you and the other party and giving the particulars of children in your relationship with your spouse
  • Proof of a union with recognition in terms of the recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 1998 where applicable
  • Decree of divorce where applicable
  • Proof of court order that awarded custody, where applicable
  • Death certificate of late spouse, where applicable
  • Consent in writing from both parents and/or the only custody parent, where applicable, with proof of such custody
  • Proof of adoption done legally, where applicable
  • Legal order for separation, where applicable
  • Clearance certificate issued by the police/security authority in each country where you, the relevant applicant, lived for at least 12 months after reaching the age of 18, as to your criminal records or your character, which certificate shall be issued not before 6 months when you make a submission (on the condition that the certificate shall not be needed from a foreign country if renewal/extension of a visa is done but from the republic)
  • A certificate of vaccination for yellow fever if you traveled or is intending to travel from or transiting via an endemic area with yellow fever: (on the condition that the certificate shall not be needed where you traveled or intends to travel in direct transit via such area)
  • An undertaking in writing by your employer that he/she accepts the responsibility for the costs related to your deportation and your dependent family members, if it becomes necessary (all renewals have to be accompanied by a job offer or employer contact and no renewal without a contract of employment except for the jobs listed under the category of life, Earth sciences & academics and researchers is possible)
  • A written undertaking by your employer to ensure that your passport is valid at all times for the duration of your employment (where there is no employer: a written undertaking by you to ensure that your passport of the applicant shall be valid at all times for the duration of your temporary visa)
  • For the jobs listed under the category of life & earth sciences & academics & researchers, where no employment contract exists, present proof of your financial means. (you (the applicant) must also submit additional proof of financial means every 12 months thereafter)
  • Proof that you (the applicant) come under the critical skills category by specifically indicating the critical skill/occupation for which the application is being made as it appears on the critical skills list
  • Proof of evaluation of your foreign qualification by SAQA and translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the Republic of South Africa
  • If asked for by law, proof of application for a registration certificate with the council, professional body, or board with recognition of SAQA in terms of section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework act
  • Written confirmation from the council, professional body, or board with recognition from SAQA in terms of section 13(1)(0) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, or a confirmation from any relevant government department that your qualifications/skills and appropriate post-qualification experience are genuine
  • Proof that you have made the payment of the fees applicable

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Frequently Asked Questions

If I want to find the South African critical skills list, where should I look?
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I have studied in South Africa. So, do I still need to get an evaluation by SAQA?
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Am I allowed to study while I hold a Critical Skills Work Visa South Africa issues?
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How do I know which recognized professional body I must register with?
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How much time does it take to get a critical skills visa?
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Can I apply for a critical skills visa without a contract of employment?
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What happens if my job is terminated?
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