Critical skills visa south africa application fee

Critical Skills Visa

Introduction

The Critical Skills Work Visa will enable the Department and the government to achieve the objectives of programmes such as National Development Plan(NDP), Industrial Policy Action Plan(IPAP) and New Growth Plan(NGP). The Department of Home Affairs has amended the Immigration legislation that came with various changes, which led to the introduction of Critical Skills Work Visa (CSWV).

The Critical Skills Work Visa emanates from the merger of the former Exceptional Skills and Quota Work visas. The latter was issued in line with the Quota List of 2009, which had skills categories, requirements, and the quota of skills targeted in the Republic of South Africa. The Critical Skills work visa is issued in accordance with the critical skills list. The list was developed in conjunction with the ocupations in high demand and the scarce skills lists of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The main objective of the critical skills work visa is to assist the government to realise the achievement of the National Infrastructure Project, the Strategic Infrastructure Projects and Key National Strategic Projects in support of the Department of Trade and Industry.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA

Section 19(4) of the ACT

Duly completed online form. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by department of home affairs.

CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA - RENEWAL

SECTION 19(4) OF THE ACT

Duly completed online form. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by department of home affairs.
Passport valid for no less than 30 calendar days after expiry of the intended visit.
A medical report not older than 6 months
A radiological report not older than 6 months
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.
Proof of a union recognised in terms of the recognition of customary marriages act, 1998 (act no. 120 of 1998), where applicable.
Divorce decree, where applicable.
Proof of court order awarding custody, where applicable.
Death certificate, in respect of late spouse, where applicable.
Written consent from both parents and/or sole custody parent, where applicable, with proof of sole custody.
Proof of legal adoption where applicable.
Legal separation order, where applicable.
Police clearance certificate issued by the police or security authority in each country where the relevant applicant resided for 12 months or longer after attaining the age of 18 years, in respect of criminal records or the character of that applicant, which certificate shall not be older than six months at the time of its submission: (provided that the certificate shall not be required from a foreign country in the case of renewal or extension of a visa within the republic)
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)
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 (all renewals must be accompanied by an offer of employment or employer contact. no renewal without employment contract except for the occupations listed under the category of life and earth sciences and academics and researchers)
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 (where there is no employer: a written undertaking by the applicant to ensure that the passport of the applicant shall be valid at all times for the duration of his or her temporary visa)
For the occupations listed under the category of life and earth sciences and academics and researchers, where there is no employment contract, proof of financial means. (applicant to also submit additional proof of financial means every 12 months thereafter)
Proof that the applicant falls within the critical skills category by specifically indicating the occupation/critical skill for which the application is being made as it appears on the critical skills list.
Proof of evaluation of the foreign qualification by SAQA and translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the republic.
If required by law, proof of application for a certificate of registration with the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA in terms of section 13(1)(i) of the national qualifications framework act;
A confirmation, in writing, from the professional body, council or board recognised by saqa in terms of section 13(1)(0 of the national qualifications framework act, or any relevant government department confirming the skills or qualifications of the applicant and appropriate post qualification experience, (if not attached, VFS official to check directive 22 of 2014)
Proof of payment of the applicable fee

CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA (EXTENSION OF VISA INITIALLY ISSUED FOR 12 MONTHS)

SECTION 19(4) OF THE ACT

Duly completed online form. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by Department of Home Affairs.
Passport valid for no less than 30 calendar days after expiry of the intended visit.
Police clearance certificate (Not required if person has been in the Republic for less than 12 months at the time of extension)
Contract of Employment or Offer of Employment signed by both applicant and the employer stating the condition that the contract will only be valid provided the applicant obtains a valid critical skills work visa)
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
Proof that the applicant falls within the critical skills category by specifically indicating the occupation/critical skill for which the application is being made. The occupation/critical skill must be on the Critical Skills list.
Copy of the Critical Skills Work Visa recently issued to the applicant for 12 months.
Proof of payment of the applicable fee

Proof to substantiate critical skills, such as publications and research documents are not required and should therefore not be submitted along with your application.
No need for employment contract if not employed (to be submitted once employed - see section on Critical Skills Work Visa extension)
No need for a certificate from the Department of Labour
No need to apply for an endorsement to study part time

QUICKLINKS:

Gazetted Critical Skills List (No. 49402, Government Gazette, 03 OCTOBER 2023)
Director-general’s Immigration Directive No.1 Of 2022: Implementation of the Critical Skills List
Checklist: Critical Skills Work Visa
VFS online Application
SAQA Foreign Qualifications Evaluation
List of Professional Bodies recognised by SAQA (xlsx file)
Government Departments

Government Printing Works eHomeAffairs online application portal DHA Job finding section VFS Global online application portal The Nelson Mandela Rules

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