Can I apply for a work visa inside South Africa?

New work visa applications must generally be made from your country of origin or ordinary residence. Renewals of existing valid work visas can be lodged in SA at least 60 days before expiry.

How long does a General Work Visa take?

The Department of Home Affairs targets 8 weeks, but 10 to 12 weeks is realistic. Missions in some countries can take longer.

Can my spouse and children join me?

Yes. They apply for accompanying spouse and dependent visas. They cannot work or study on those visas without endorsement.

Do I need a job offer before I apply?

Yes for the General Work and ICT visas. If you have qualifications on the Critical Skills List you can apply for a Critical Skills Work Visa without a job offer first.

What is the difference between the General Work Visa and the Critical Skills Visa?

The General Work Visa requires a Department of Labour certificate and a specific job offer. The Critical Skills Visa is faster, does not need the Labour certificate, and is issued based on your qualification being on the Critical Skills List.

Immigration

South African Work Visa (General Work & Intra-Company Transfer)

In plain English

A work visa lets a foreign national work legally in South Africa. The main options are the General Work Visa (Section 19(2) of the Immigration Act) and the Intra-Company Transfer Visa (Section 19(5)). Both are applied for at a VFS Global Visa Facilitation Centre on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).

View requirements Visit official website

Who needs this permit

Foreign nationals who have a job offer from a South African employer (General Work) or who are being transferred by a multinational employer to its South African branch (Intra-Company Transfer).

When is it required

Before you start working in South Africa. Working on a visitor's visa or without a valid work visa is a criminal offence under the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.

Eligibility

General Work Visa: a signed employment offer plus a Department of Employment & Labour certificate confirming no suitable South African could fill the role
Intra-Company Transfer: employed by the foreign parent company for at least 6 months and being transferred to a related SA branch
SAQA evaluation of your foreign qualifications
Registration with the relevant SA professional body (engineers, doctors, teachers, etc.)
Clean police record from every country you've lived in for 12 months+ since age 18

Documents you need before applying

Fully completed DHA-1738 application form
Passport valid for at least 30 days after the visa expiry, with 2 blank pages
Two recent passport-size photographs
Yellow fever certificate (if travelling from a yellow fever region)
Medical and radiological report (DHA BI-811)
Police clearance certificate from every country lived in for 12+ months since age 18
SAQA evaluation of foreign qualifications
Registration with the relevant SA professional body (where applicable)
Signed employment contract from the SA employer
Department of Employment & Labour certificate (General Work Visa only)
Company letter confirming intra-company transfer and 6+ months prior employment (ICT only)
Proof of visa fee payment
VFS service fee receipt

Download a printable checklist

A one-page PDF of everything you need to bring with you. Tick items off before you go.

How to apply — step by step

1
Get your qualifications evaluated by SAQA
Apply to the South African Qualifications Authority to have your degree evaluated. Turnaround is 3 to 8 weeks.
2
Get police clearance certificates
Order a police clearance from every country you've lived in for 12+ months since age 18. Some countries take 2 to 6 months.
3
Complete the medical and radiology reports
Use the official DHA BI-811 form and have a licensed doctor and radiologist complete them. Reports are valid for 6 months.
4
Get the Employment & Labour certificate (General Work only)
Your SA employer must apply to the Department of Employment & Labour to confirm no suitable SA citizen or permanent resident was available for the role.
5
Book a VFS appointment
Book online at visaschengen.vfsglobal.com/zaf. Appointments in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban fill up weeks in advance.
6
Submit biometrics and documents at VFS
Attend your appointment in person, hand over the full document set and give fingerprints. VFS couriers your application to DHA.
7
Track the outcome and collect your visa
Track via the VFS reference number. Collect the passport with the visa sticker in person or by courier.

Where, how much, how long

Where to apply

VFS Global Visa Facilitation Centre (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth) on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs.

Fees

DHA visa fee ~R1 520 + VFS service fee ~R1 550. Courier and premium lounge fees are optional extras.

Processing time

8 to 12 weeks on average; longer if additional verification is required.

Validity

General Work: up to 5 years, tied to the employer. ICT: up to 4 years, non-renewable inside SA.

Renewal

General Work Visas can be renewed. ICT visas cannot be renewed — you must return home when they expire.

Common mistakes to avoid

Working before the visa is issued (a criminal offence)
Missing a police clearance from a country lived in briefly during studies or work
Using an out-of-date DHA-1738 form (always download the current version)
Providing an unsigned employment contract or one with no salary listed
Booking a VFS appointment with expired biometrics from a previous application