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Eligibility To Work

Destination: South Africa

Passport

South Africa does not issue work permits for those in occupations where there are already sufficient people available. In general, you should apply for immigration while in your country of residence and await the outcome of your application before proceeding to South Africa. Visit www.home-affairs.gov.za for further information.

If you are a resident of the UK or Republic of Ireland looking to work in South Africa, contact the South African High Commission (in London) on 020 7925 8912.

myJobCaddy requires you to be eligible to work in South Africa before we are able to assist you with your job-hunting there. Summarised below are the most commonly used visas; if you require further information Contact Us or www.breytenbachs.com who specialise in immigration to South Africa.

Business Visa

You will need to apply for this if your company is seconding you to one of their South African-based branches or affiliates for a specific purpose and period. With this visa you will still report to, and be on the payroll of, the parent company abroad.

Work-Seeker's Permit

If you have been offered a job in South Africa and wish to visit to assess the offer (or attend an interview), you should apply for a work-seeker's permit. Your visit must be geared to assessing and possibly taking up a job offer that was made to you before you departed for South Africa. If you use the permit to look for any other work in the country, you will be liable for arrest and possible repatriation.

Work Permits

These are a form of temporary residence permit which you will need to organise before you leave for South Africa. They are issued for a maximum period of one year, after which, on application, they may be extended.

If you have a work permit, your family will need visas in order to accompany you (unless they are holders of passports of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including the British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Mann and Virgin Islands, or the Republic of Ireland). They will be issued with temporary residence permits on arrival and can also apply for work or study permits, either before departing or once they are in South Africa.

Please note that visa information can change periodically and you should recheck your eligibility prior to lodging an application on the website listed above.