Description: |
Before you can enter South Africa, you need to have a visa. At the port of entry, your visa will be replaced with a temporary residence permit which states how long you may stay and for what purpose. You need to apply for specific visas before you come to the country. There are various types of visas, depending on why you want to come to the country:
You are not permitted to study on a work visa, and vice versa. You can't enter the country until you have the valid visa attached to your passport, unless you already have a visa and you want to change it to another one. Permit applications are governed by the Immigration Act, 2002.
The Act and Regulations are comprehensive in so far as the requirements to obtain a residence permit are concerned. Work Visa
There are different types of work visas:
The Department approves applications for work visas based on whether or not a South African is available to fill the position applied for. If there is, it's unlikely that the work permit application will be successful. The Department readily approves work permit applications for key personnel (for e.g. a CEO) of foreign companies investing in South Africa. The Immigration Act introduced a quota system for work permits. |
Instructions: |
How to apply for a work permit
You need to submit an application on form DHA-1738 via the South African diplomatic representative in the country where you normally live or the country of which you have a passport. Visas are issued for a set duration which varies on the type of work visa being applied for and applications are lodged through Visa Facilitation Services Centres (VFS) across the country or nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad. You can also apply through a South African attorney or agent who has power of attorney for you. Your application needs to be accompanied by:
Please see the Department of Home Affairs website for a full list of requirements. The work permit application generally takes eight to twelve weeks. Applications for key personnel however generally take about two weeks. Once your application has been processed, the outcome is faxed to the SA representatives at the country where you applied. How to apply for a study permit
You first need to apply for admission to the higher education institution you want to attend. When you receive a letter of provisional acceptance you can apply for a study permit. You need to go to your nearest South African Embassy, Consulate or High Comission to apply for the permit. You will need to complete the application form, DHA-1738. This needs to be accompanied by:
Please see the Department of Home Affairs website for a full list of requirements. If your application is successful, you will be given a multiple re-entry visa. It can take up to eight weeks for an application to be processed. You can't enter South Africa until this permit is finalised. |
Provided At: |
These facility categories: |
Government Body: | (The Government of South Africa) |