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Work Visa
in South Africa.

  • Learn about work visas in South Africa thanks to Horizons’ up-to-date guide.
  • Horizons is where real, local hiring expertise meets world-class customer service. Quickly and compliantly hire employees in more than 185 countries worldwide, without the need to open a local entity.

SALARY PAYMENT IN South African Rand (ZAR, R)

CONTRACT LANGUAGES English

PAYROLL TAX 2%

PAYROLL CYCLE Monthly

TIME TO HIRE 12 hours

Horizons-owned entity with local country experts in Seoul.
Horizons entity<img Class="plus" src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/plus.svg"> <img Class="minus" src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/minus.svg">
Horizons entity
We offer fair, scalable, and transparent pricing on South Korea PEO service. Contact us for a cost breakdown
Fair pricing <img Class="plus" src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/plus.svg"> <img Class="minus" src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/minus.svg">
Fair pricing
End service in South Korea with no additional penalties or fees.
Flexible terms<img Class="plus" src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/plus.svg"> <img Class="minus" src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/minus.svg">
Flexible terms
Including vision, dental, death & disability, travel, and more.
Insurance add-ons<img Class="plus" src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/plus.svg"> <img Class="minus" src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/minus.svg">
Insurance add-ons
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Hire and pay talents
with Horizons in
180+ countries

South Africa

Types of work visas in South Africa

Work visas in South Africa fall into the following categories: 

  • General Work Visa — for foreign individuals who have a specific job offer from a South African employer. To qualify for this visa, the employer must prove that they were unable to find a suitable South African citizen or permanent resident for the position. This visa is generally issued for a period of 5 years and can be renewed within South Africa.

  • Critical Skills Work Visa — this visa is designed to attract individuals with specific critical skills that are in demand in South Africa. The list of critical skills is determined by the South African government and is periodically updated. Applicants who possess skills listed in the critical skills list may apply for this visa without a job offer. The visa is issued for a period of up to 5 years and allows the visa holder to seek employment related to their skills.

  • Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa — the Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa is intended for multinational companies that need to transfer foreign employees to their South African branch or subsidiary. To qualify for this visa, the employee must have been employed by the foreign company for at least 6 months and meet certain criteria regarding their qualifications and experience. This visa is initially issued for a maximum period of 4 years and can be extended while in South Africa.

  • Corporate Visa — the Corporate Visa is designed for companies that need to employ a large number of foreign employees in South Africa. It allows a company to apply for a single visa to bring multiple skilled foreign workers to the country. The company must demonstrate that it has a need for a significant number of foreign employees and that it has a good track record with regard to employing South African citizens. The Corporate Visa is issued for a period of up to 3 years and can be extended within South Africa.

Required documents for a work visa in South Africa

The required documents for a work visa in South Africa generally include:

  • A certificate from the Department of Labour
  • Proof of qualifications by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
  • Contract of employment signed by the applicant and the employer
  • Proof of the employer’s registration in the Registrar of Companies
  • Required documentation for accompanying partners or children, if applicable.

Process to get a work visa in South Africa

Getting a work visa when the employee is based outside of South Africa

To get a work visa for South Africa when the employee is based outside of South Africa, you will need a job offer from a South African employer. The employer must prove that they advertised the position being filled by the foreign national and that they were unsuccessful in finding a South African for the role.

The documents and forms needed to apply for a South African work visa include:

  • Letters from the entity abroad and South Africa confirming the transfer to South Africa
  • Return flight itinerary confirming travel to South Africa and date of return
  • Proof of accommodation in South Africa
  • Medical and radiological reports are required for extension applications
  • South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) application completed successfully.

Getting a work visa when the employee is based inside of South Africa

To get a work visa when the employee is based inside of South Africa is the same as if they were outside of South Africa, however it must be confirmed that they are legally allowed to be in South Africa. The rest of the procedure applies. You will need a job offer from a South African employer. The employer must prove that they advertised the position being filled by the foreign national and that they were unsuccessful in finding a South African for the role.

The documents and forms needed to apply for a South African work visa include:

  1. Letters from the entity abroad and South Africa confirming the transfer to South Africa.
  2. Return flight itinerary confirming travel to South Africa and date of return.
  3. Proof of accommodation in South Africa.
  4. Medical and radiological reports are required for extension applications.
  5. South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) application completed successfully.

Special notes about work visas in South Africa

Unique to South Africa is the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) application. This must be completed before applying to a work visa and it evaluates foreign qualifications and compares them to South African qualifications.

Hiring in South Africa, Made Easy

Your business can easily hire employees in South Africa without opening a local entity. We handle local employment law, complex tax regulations, and international payroll in 180+ countries worldwide. All you need to do is focus on your business.

Get a free consultation today

FAQs

Yes, South African visa holders can bring their family members to join them. Required documentation for accompanying partners and/or children must be completed during the visa process

Each dependent visa case is different, so we encourage you to contact us for a free global mobility consultation to ensure the current visa application environment is suitable for your company’s* specific project.

*For individuals who are contacting us to inquire about visas, employment opportunities, etc., you should apply for a role at our Careers page.

The South Korean work visa must be renewed in 1 – 3 year intervals. Many South Korean work permits are multi-entry, but the exact requirements depend on several factors, including the nationality of the applicant, the type of work visa the employee holds, and more. When we review your company’s case, we will be able to offer an estimation of the timeline with confidence.

The processing time for a work visa in South Africa depends on the type of visa you are applying for and the consulate you are applying through. The processing time for a general work visa in South Africa is on average about 8 months.

However, if you are applying for a critical skills visa or an intra-company transfer visa, the processing time is usually shorter. For example, the processing time for a critical skills visa is usually around 4-6 weeks.

Yes, a global employer of record (EOR) can provide help getting a work visa in South Africa

Success stories from businesses we’ve helped enter and grow in new markets.

Client Testimonials

"As a seed-stage, London-based startup, we were initially hesitant to expand internationally due to the administrative workload involved. Horizons completely took the headache out of the process, allowing us to hire a team of software engineers in Germany."
Gabor SzedlakCo-founder & COO
Gabor
"I truly appreciated the thoroughness and the professionalism of Horizons personnel while we hired internationally with them. When they advised our international expansion, they spoke confidently and were knowledgable on all subject matters pertaining to international employment."
Gary PaskyVice President of Software Development
Gary
"On deciding to begin commercial activities in Asia Pacific, we needed a provider to handle the employment and remuneration of our workforce. With Horizons the result was fast, efficient, and fit-for-purpose. We recommend Horizons as an EOR provider.”
Chris MorrellManaging Director
Chris Morrell
"The collaboration with the Horizons team is excellent. Both our local employee as well as our HQ in Germany are more than pleased with the support provided and the simplicity of the service. We can highly recommend the Horizons solution to anyone."
Christoph EngelbertCo-Founder & CTO
Christoph
"We needed an EOR that could provide expert support for payroll in APAC. We are pleased with Horizons’ expertise and the fact that they are flexible, responsive, and easily accessible from Belgium. They were able to provide services within the short timeline we required."
Katia FlamandHuman Resources
Katia
Horizons has been very effective in providing our company support in all the administrative procedures, sometimes complex, required by the Singaporean administration.
Gerald iannoneSales Director
Gerald iannone
Horizons’ team provided a superb service from start to finish, making a complex process a simple one. Everything was taken care of in an efficient and accurate manner, with quick communication whenever required. Highly recommended and would use again in the future if the need arises.
Philipp RinbergerManaging Director
Philipp Rinberger
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