Work Permits

General work Visas are valid for the duration of the contract of employment or a period not exceeding 5 years. A general work permit shall lapse if within 6 months of issuance and if every year thereafter the holder fails to submit satisfactory proof to the Director-General that he/she is still employed along with proof of the terms and conditions of the job, and the job description.

• Application form fully completed in detail and signed.

• An original Passport and a copy authenticated by the issuing authority of the country of origin with a valid visa as proof of current status in the Republic.

• The Passport is valid and expires in no less than 30 days after expiry of the intended date of departure from the Republic in terms of regulation 9(1)(a)

• The application is being submitted in person, no less than 60 days prior to the expiry date of the applicant’s visa and if the visa was issued for less than 30 days, not later than seven working days before the expiry of the visa.

• A medical report, signed by a Medical Practitioner, reflecting the Practice No. of the Practitioner and their address and contact details, which report shall not be older than six months at the time of its submission.

• Police clearance certificate issued by the police or security authority of a country where the applicant resided for longer than 12 months in the last 5 years prior to submitting the current application , which certificate shall not be older than six months at the time of its submission.

• a yellow fever vaccination certificate if that person travelled or intends travelling from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic area: (Provided that the certificate shall not be required where that person travelled or intends travelling in direct transit through such area)

• Marriage certificate or in the case of a foreign spousal relationship, proof of official recognition thereof issued by the authorities of the foreign country of the applicant (where applicable).

• The affidavit where a spousal relationship to a South African citizen or resident is applicable, as well as documentation proving cohabitation and the extent to which the related financial responsibilities are shared by the parties and setting out the particulars of children in the spousal relationship.

• Divorce decree, where applicable.

• Court order granting full or specific parental responsibilities and rights, where applicable.

• Death certificate, in respect of late spouse, where applicable.

• Written consent from both parents and full parental responsibilities, where applicable.

• Proof of adoption where applicable.

• Legal separation order, where applicable.

• A written undertaking by the employer accepting responsibility for the costs related to the deportation of the applicant and his or her dependent family members, should it become necessary.

• A written undertaking by the employer to ensure that the passport of his or her employee is valid at all times for the duration of his or her employment

• A certificate by the Department of Labour confirming that-

1. despite diligent search, the prospective employer has been unable to find a suitable citizen or permanent resident with qualifications or skills and experience equivalent to those of the applicant;

2. the applicant has qualifications or proven skills and experience in line with the job offer;

3. the salary and benefits of the applicant are not inferior to the average salary and benefits of citizens or employees occupying similar positions in the Republic;

4. a contract of employment stipulating the conditions of employment and signed by both the employer and the applicant in line with the labour standards in the Republic and is made conditional upon the general work visa being approved;

   • Proof of qualifications evaluated by SAQA and translated by a sworn

   • translator into one of the official languages of the Republic; and

   • Full particulars of the employer, including, where applicable, proof of registration of the business with the Commission on Intellectual Property and Companies (CIPC).

   • An undertaking by the employer to inform the Director-General; should the applicant not comply with the provisions of the Act, or conditions of the visa.

   • An undertaking by the employer to inform the Director-General upon the employee no longer being in the employ of such employer or when he or she is employed in a different capacity or role.

   • Proof of payment

    

Notes:

• A general work visa shall be issued for a period not exceeding five years;

• Fraudulent Documents: Whenever it appears to the Director-General that a visa or permanent residence permit was acquired through misrepresentation or fraud, he or she shall withdraw the visa or permanent residence permit and, where applicable, cause criminal charges to be laid against all parties implicated in the misrepresentation or fraud.

• The applicant is personally responsible for all supporting documents submitted with this application

Applications are assessed individually and time frames may vary, therefore you are kindly requested to wait until a decision on your application is taken and is ready for collection, as VFS Global cannot control or influence the processing times in any way.

Visa fees

All fees are inclusive of VAT and to be paid in South African Rand. Above listed fees are non-refundable once the application is received by VFS Global and Department of Home Affairs.

You will be required to pre-pay a minimum amount of R1550 in order to secure and schedule your appointment online.

Payment to secure your online appointment can be made in three methods:

• Online payment via Debit/Credit card through the secure online portal

• Pre-payment at Standard Bank by downloading and completing the online generated bank receipt and depositing the cash into the nearest Standard Bank

• EFT payment through the secure online portal

Note– When selecting the pre-payment option, after payment has been done you are required to visit your online application form after 3 working days to proceed to schedule your appointment.

DHA payments and Value added services can be paid at the Visa Application Centre if not done before appointment scheduling.