Section 19 work visas · employees & employers
Work Visas in South Africa – Critical Skills, General & ICT
Whether you are a skilled professional with a South African job offer or an employer bringing in the right person, we match you to the correct work visa, line up the SAQA, professional-body and labour requirements in the right order, and submit a pack that answers every question before Home Affairs asks it.
[email protected]
- Expert consultationhonest, in-depth assessment
- Open 7 days08:00 – 18:00, incl. weekends
- Since 200420+ years of casework
- Glen Marais basedKempton Park, near OR Tambo
Quick answer
Which South African work visa do I qualify for?
South Africa has three main work visas under Section 19 of the Immigration Act. The critical skills work visa is for occupations on the official Critical Skills List and needs a SAQA-evaluated qualification and, usually, professional registration. The general work visa requires an employer to show that no suitable citizen or permanent resident was found, confirmed by the Department of Employment and Labour. The intra-company transfer visa lets a multinational move an existing employee to its South African branch.
Call 073 283 7916, WhatsApp 072 561 3097, or email [email protected].
- Service
- Work visa applications
- Legal basis
- Section 19, Immigration Act 13 of 2002
- Visas
- Critical skills · General · ICT
- For
- Employees & employers
- Our fee
- Quoted per case after your consultation
- Hours
- Mon–Sun 08:00–18:00
01Work visa types
The work visa routes we handle
Each route has different tests. Picking the right one first saves months.
01
Critical skills work visa
For qualified people in occupations on the Critical Skills List. Needs a SAQA evaluation, proof of skill and, where applicable, registration with a professional body.
02
General work visa
For a specific job offer where the employer has advertised and could not find a suitable South African, with Department of Employment and Labour certification.
03
Intra-company transfer visa
For employees of a multinational transferred to its South African branch or affiliate, after working for the group abroad.
04
Renewals & changes
Renewing your work visa, changing employer or adding family members as accompanying dependants.
02Requirements
Typical work visa documents
Exact requirements differ by route; these are the items we build most applications around.
Applicant documents
All routes- Passport, photos & DHA-1738 formRequiredPassport valid for 30 days beyond the visa
- Qualifications with SAQA evaluationRequiredCritical skills and most general work applications
- Police clearances & medical reportsRequiredEvery country of 12+ months’ residence since age 18
- Professional body registrationIf applicableWhere your occupation has a statutory or recognised body
- CV & reference lettersRequiredProving the experience claimed
Employer documents
General work & ICT- Signed employment contractRequiredMatching the role and salary on the application
- Labour certificateIf applicableDepartment of Employment and Labour – general work visa
- Proof of advertisingIf applicableShowing no suitable citizen or PR was found
- Company registration documentsRequiredCIPC documents and, for ICT, proof of the group link
- Undertakings by employerRequiredNotify Home Affairs if employment ends, among others
Requirements are set by the Immigration Regulations and Home Affairs and can change. We confirm the current list for your exact category at your consultation.
03Compare
Critical skills vs general work vs intra-company transfer
| Critical skills | General work | Intra-company transfer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | Professionals in listed occupations | Specific job with a SA employer | Existing employee of a multinational |
| Labour market test | No | Yes – advertising & DEL certificate | No |
| SAQA evaluation | Yes | Usually | Usually not |
| Professional body | Where applicable | Where applicable | Not usually |
| Path to permanent residence | Strong (Section 27(b)) | After 5 years (Section 26(a)) | Limited – not renewable in the same way |
Summary only. The Critical Skills List and requirements are set by government and change from time to time – we check the current position for your occupation.
04Avoid refusals
Why work visa applications fail
Occupation not on the list
A critical skills application for a job title that does not match the official list will be refused, however qualified you are.
SAQA or registration not finished
Submitting before the SAQA certificate or professional registration is issued is a common, avoidable refusal.
Weak employer paperwork
Missing labour certification, advertising proof or mismatched contract details undermine general work applications.
Salary below the norm
The offered salary and benefits should not be inferior to what a South African in the same role would earn.
05Fees
What does a work visa cost?
No fixed packages – fees reflect the real complexity of your matter, and you always know the cost before you commit.
There is no fixed price list on this site on purpose. The work behind a work visa depends on your category, your family, your paperwork and your history in South Africa, so a one-size price would either overcharge simple cases or under-prepare complex ones.
Your consultation is a paid, in-depth session with an experienced consultant – not a sales call. The consultation fee is confirmed when you book, before anything is charged, and you leave with real answers whether or not you go ahead with us. If you want us to handle the application, that work is quoted in writing before it starts. Government (Department of Home Affairs) and VFS Global fees are separate, set by them and paid directly.
Not sure you need a consultation? WhatsApp a short question to 072 561 3097 and we will tell you honestly whether you do. If a simple renewal is all you need, we will say so.
What your consultation gives you
- A full review of your documents and immigration history
- The exact visa or permit route we recommend, and why
- A personalised document checklist you keep
- Honest risks and realistic timelines – stated up front
- A written quote for any application work, with no obligation
What shapes the fee for your case?
Visa category
A visitor's visa extension is far simpler than a business visa or permanent residence.
Number of applicants
Spouses, children and dependants each need their own documents and forms.
Document readiness
Whether certificates, clearances, translations and apostilles are already in hand.
Case history
Previous refusals, overstays, undesirable status or a change of status add work.
Urgency
Tight deadlines – such as a 10-working-day appeal window – need priority handling.
Independent consultancy. Immigration Galore SA CC is a private immigration consultancy. We are not the Department of Home Affairs or VFS Global. Decisions are made by Home Affairs, and no consultant can lawfully guarantee an outcome – what we guarantee is a complete, correct and well-motivated application.
06How it works
From first question to final outcome in 5 steps
One consultant guides your case from the first conversation to the decision letter.
Book your consultation
Call, WhatsApp or send the form to book. In your consultation we review your full situation and documents, and tell you honestly which visa or permit route fits – and whether you qualify.
Written route & document list
You get a personalised checklist for your exact category, with notes on certificates, translations, clearances and the order to collect them in.
Fee agreed before work starts
Because no two cases are the same, we quote your professional fee in writing once we understand the complexity. Government and VFS fees are shown separately.
Pack prepared & checked
We draft motivation letters and forms, check every page against the Immigration Regulations and book your VFS Global appointment.
Submit, track & follow up
We track the application with VFS and Home Affairs, answer requests for more information and explain the outcome – including next steps if you need to appeal.
07Why Immigration Galore
Why families and employers choose Immigration Galore
Immigration is too important for guesswork. This is what working with us looks like.
Since 2004
More than 20 years of South African immigration casework – through every major change to the Immigration Act and Regulations.
An honest assessment first
If you do not qualify yet, we tell you plainly – before you spend money on an application – and show you what would change the answer.
Checked before it reaches VFS
Most refusals come from missing, expired or wrong documents. Every page is checked against the current requirements before submission.
Open 7 days a week
We are available Mon–Sun 08:00–18:00, including weekends, so you can consult without taking leave from work.
One consultant, start to finish
The person who assesses your case is the person who prepares it and follows it up. You never have to repeat your story.
Local in Glen Marais
Based in Kempton Park, minutes from the R21 and OR Tambo, with clients across Gauteng and the rest of South Africa.
08Related services
Clients who ask about this often need these too
Immigration routes connect. These are the services most often combined with this one.
PermanentPermanent Residence
Section 26 and 27 permanent residence: work, spouse, child, critical skills, business, retired and financially independent.
- Route & eligibility assessment
- Police & medical clearances
- Long-wait follow-ups
BusinessBusiness Visa Kempton Park
Section 15 business visas for investors and entrepreneurs opening or buying a business in South Africa.
- Business plan & CA certificate
- dtic recommendation
- Local hiring undertaking
ApplicationsVisa & Permit Applications
Complete, checked application packs for any South African visa or permit, prepared and tracked for you.
- Document checklist & review
- VFS appointment booking
- Tracking until outcome
AppealsAppeals & Reviews
Visa or permit refused? Section 8 appeals to the Director-General and the Minister, drafted against the exact refusal reasons.
- Refusal letter analysed
- 10-working-day deadline managed
- Undesirable status upliftment
09Service area
Immigration help across Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and South Africa
Immigration Galore works from Glen Marais in Kempton Park, a few minutes from the R21 and R25 and about 15 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport. Clients meet us in person by appointment, or handle the whole process by phone, WhatsApp and email – which is how we assist people in Cape Town, Durban and abroad.
Getting to us
- R21 and R25 – a few minutes from our office
- OR Tambo International Airport – about 15 minutes
- Kempton Park CBD and Kempton Park Home Affairs – about 10 minutes
- Benoni, Boksburg, Germiston and Midrand – 20 to 30 minutes
Areas we serve
- Glen Marais
- Birchleigh
- Norkem Park
- Edleen
- Bonaero Park
- Aston Manor
- Rhodesfield
- Van Riebeeck Park
- Kempton Park CBD
- Isando
- Tembisa
- Midrand
- Edenvale
- Bedfordview
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Brakpan
- Springs
- Alberton
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Fourways
- Rosebank
- Johannesburg CBD
- Centurion
- Pretoria
Outside Gauteng? Most of our work can be done by phone, WhatsApp and email – call 073 283 7916 to confirm.
10FAQs
Work Visa FAQs
Straight answers to the questions our clients ask most.
What is the difference between a work visa and a work permit?
They are the same thing in everyday language. Since the 2014 Immigration Regulations, the official term is work visa, but many people still say work permit.
Do I need a job offer for a critical skills work visa?
A job offer makes a critical skills application much stronger, and the rules on proving employment have changed over time. We confirm the current requirement for your occupation at the consultation.
How do I know if my occupation is on the Critical Skills List?
The list is published by government and specifies occupations and, in some cases, qualification levels. Send us your job title and qualifications and we will check it against the current list.
What is a SAQA evaluation?
The South African Qualifications Authority evaluates foreign qualifications against the South African framework. Most work visa applications need this certificate, and it can take time, so start early.
Can my spouse and children come with me?
Yes. Your spouse and children can apply for accompanying visas linked to your work visa. A spouse who wants to work will need their own work authorisation.
Can I change employers on a work visa?
Work visas are tied to the conditions under which they were issued. Changing employer or role usually requires a new application or an amendment, depending on the visa type.
Does a work visa lead to permanent residence?
It can. Five years on a work visa with a permanent job offer may qualify you under Section 26(a), and critical skills holders may qualify under Section 27(b).
Do you help employers?
Yes. We advise employers on general work visa advertising and labour certification, intra-company transfers and their ongoing compliance obligations.
11Consultation
Book your immigration consultation
Tell us where you stand and what you need. A consultant replies within one business day – usually the same day – with the recommended next step and the consultation fee for your matter. No obligation to book. Prefer to talk? Call 073 283 7916.
Consulting hours
- Monday08:00 – 18:00
- Tuesday08:00 – 18:00
- Wednesday08:00 – 18:00
- Thursday08:00 – 18:00
- Friday08:00 – 18:00
- Saturday08:00 – 18:00
- Sunday08:00 – 18:00
South African time (SAST). Office visits by appointment.
Find Immigration Galore in Glen Marais, Kempton Park
Glen Marais, Kempton Park, 1619 – in north Kempton Park, close to the R21 and R25 and about 15 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport. Office consultations are by appointment.
Mon–Sun 08:00–18:00 · 7 days a week