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Working in SA: work permits
Do you wish to stay in SA temporarily in order to explore or take up a job offer, or to set up or run a business, or because you've been recruited or transferred to the country? Here's information on work permit categories, requirements and application procedures, and the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Please take note: This information is meant to serve as a guide only. Requirements for work permits in South Africa are subject to change, and each application is treated as an individual case. Always make inquiries before travelling to South Africa.
Where can I make inquiries about work permits?
You should make inquiries at your nearest Dept of Home Affairs office if you're in SA, at your nearest SA embassy, high commission or consulate if you're abroad (see the 'SA offices abroad' box on the right), or directly to:
Department
of Home Affairs
Subdirectorate: Temporary Residence
Private Bag X114
Pretoria 0001
South Africa
Telephone: +27(0)12 314 8911
Fax: +27(0)12 328 3908
Info & inquiries on the Internet:
Protecting & creating job opportunities
There are limited employment opportunities in South Africa, particularly for the country's vast reserve of unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Accordingly, work permits will normally NOT be issued to people who follow an occupation for which there are already sufficient people available to meet SA's needs - particularly unskilled and semi-skilled workers - and employers wishing to bring workers into the country from abroad will have to satisfy the Department of Home Affairs that they are unable to secure the required personnel locally.
Conversely, applications for work permits from people who are in a position to contribute to the
broadening of South Africa's economic base will be welcomed. Applications by skilled workers in occupations for which there is a shortage in the country are encouraged, as are applications from people wishing to set up a business in South Africa where this will result in:
- Capital being brought into South Africa from abroad;
- The manufacture of goods for export; or
- The employment of South Africans.
Who should apply for a work permit?
Work permits are a form of temporary residence permit. They are issued for a maximum period of one year, after which, on application, they may be extended. You should apply for a work permit if:
- You wish to take up temporary employment in South Africa, with or without reward and whether for your own account or not.
- You wish to set up or run a business temporarily in South Africa.
- You're a key employee of a foreign company that wants to transfer you temporarily to a
branch or affiliate of the company in South Africa.
- You've been recruited to work temporarily in South Africa as an employee or consultant for government in terms of an intergovernmental agreement.
- You wish to visit a company in South Africa in which you have more than 25% control share.
- You wish to acquire fixed assets in South Africa for speculation or rent.
- You wish to visit South Africa to produce a feature film, documentary or TV commercial.
- You're a priest or religious worker volunteering to work temporarily at a religious institution in South Africa.
- You're an au pair intending to work temporarily in South Africa as part of a cultural exchange.
Who should apply for a work-seeker's permit?
If you have one or more job offers in South Africa, and you wish to visit the country in order to assess the offer/s further or to attend an interview with your prospective employer, you should apply for a
work-seeker's permit. Don't be fooled by the name - this is NOT a permit for people to enter South Africa to seek work wherever they may find it. Your visit must be geared to assessing and possibly taking up a job offer that was made to you before you departed for South Africa. If you use the permit to look for any other work in the country, you will be liable for arrest and possible repatriation.
I'll be working for an international company in SA - will I need a work permit?
Whether you'll need a work permit, or merely a business visa, will depend on whether you're being transferred or merely seconded to your company's SA branch.
- If your company is transferring you temporarily to a SA branch or affiliate - such that you'll be reporting directly to, and be on the payroll of, the local branch - then you will need a
work permit.
- If your company is seconding you to a SA branch or affiliate for a specific purpose and period - such that you will still report directly to, and be on the payroll of, the parent company abroad - then you will not need a work permit. Instead, you should apply abroad for a business visa. See Visiting SA
I'll be setting up and running a business in SA - should I apply for a work permit or for permanent residence?
Setting up a business is usually an expensive, long-term endeavour. If you're only planning to stay in South Africa on a temporary, short-term basis, then you should apply for a work permit. Otherwise you should consider applying for permanent residence. You can either do this before entering South Africa, or you can enter South Africa on a work permit and then apply for permanent residence.
Work permits & permanent residence
If you have a valid work permit, you can, if you wish, apply for permanent residence in SA. In this case, you will have to submit proof of a satisfactory work record while employed in the country.
I have a work permit - what about my family?
Your husband/wife and children will need visas in order to accompany you to SA (unless they are holders of passports of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - including the British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Mann and Virgin Islands - or the Republic of Ireland). They will be issued with temporary residence permits on arrival in SA. They can also apply for work or study permits, either before
departing or once they are in SA. See:
I'll be back soon - will I need a re-entry visa?
If you are in South Africa on a valid work or work seeker's permit, and you leave the country temporarily, you - and your dependents, if any - will NOT need a re-entry visa, provided your permit does not expire while you are out of the country. This holds even though your permit may have "single entry" endorsed on it.
What if I want to stay in SA for longer, or to change to the purpose of my visit?
Work permits are issued for a maximum period of one year. It is best to request the full duration of your intended visit when you first arrive, as extensions are subject to additional fees. If you wish to extend your stay further, you must
keep your work/residence permit valid by applying for an extension at your nearest Home Affairs office in SA. You should do this at least eight week before your permit expires - once your permit expires it cannot be extended, and you will be obliged to leave the country and apply to re-enter from abroad. You should also be clear about the purpose of your visit, as this may not officially be changed once you are in SA.
- Access/download your permit extension application form online (PDF file requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader, automatic free download): Select the appropriate form here.
Will I be allowed to change employer?
Not if you were allowed to enter South Africa as a contract worker, or on the undertaking that you would be employed by a specific organisation for a
specific period only. You will need to submit a full application to your nearest Home Affairs office in SA, subject to all the requirements of your original application.
- Access/download your permit alteration application form online (PDF file requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader, automatic free download): Select the appropriate form here.

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