Work Permits

Work permits are divided into a few categories and it will depend on your specific circumstances which work permit will be the best option for you.


The following options are available:

  • Quota Work Permit

  • General Work Permit

  • Exceptional Skills permit

  • Intra-Company Transfer Work permit

  • Corporate Permit

  • In exceptional circumstances a Section 11(2) Work permit


Depending on which Work permit will suit your specific situation, the following documentation can be required:

In respect of a Quota Work Permit, General Work Permit, Exceptional Skills permit and Intra-Company transfer work permit:

  • Police Clearance Certificate;

  • Written undertaking by the Employer accepting responsibility for the costs related to the deportation of the applicant if it becomes necessary;

  • In some instances a Yellow fever vaccination certificate;

  • Medical Report;

  • Radiological Report;

  • Marital Status documents.


Additional to the above, in respect of a Quota Work permit:

  • Confirmation that the Applicant possesses the necessary qualifications, as certified by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and experience for the occupation;

  • Proof that the Applicant complies with the Registration requirements of the relevant professional body, board or council.


An application for a General Work Permit shall be accompanied by:

  • A contract of Employment;

  • SAQA proof of qualifications;

  • Proof of experience and skills in line with the job offer;

  • A letter from the Employer motivating why a citizen or permanent resident could not fill the position etc;

  • Proof of publication of an advertisement in the national printed media;

  • Undertaking by the Employer;

  • Full particulars of the Employer;

  • Extract from the database of a salary benchmarking organization.


An Application for an exceptional skills work permit shall be accompanied by:

  • Letter from foreign or SA organ of state confirming the Special skills;

  • Testimonials,

  • Curriculum Vitae;

  • Publications and Testimonials;

  • Letter of Motivation.


An Application for an intra-company Transfer work permit shall be accompanied by:

  • The foreigner's contract of employment with the Company abroad;

  • Letter from the Company abroad confirming that the foreigner shall be transferred to a branch of that company or an affiliated company situated in South Africa;

  • The South African Company confirming the transfer of the Foreigner contemplated above.


An Applicant for a Corporate Permit shall submit:

  • Application Form;

  • Proof of the need to employ the requested number of foreigners;

  • Job description and proposed remuneration in respect of each foreigner.


A Section 11(2) permit is a permit issued to Applicants who intends to conduct work in South Africa for a very short, specified period of time, not exceeding 90 days. The Application has to be brought in advance and submitted at an Embassy in your Country of Residence before entering at a Port of Immigration in South Africa.