Receiving a work visa for South Africa requires a number of procedures similar to those in many other countries.
Work permits in South Africa may be issued to foreign nationals either by a quota system as a general work permit or on the basis of exceptional ability or skills. The most easily recognised is the General Work Permit, which requires a specific job offer from an employer before an application is made. In applying on the employee’s behalf, the employer must prove that the position was unsuccessfully advertised in South Africa and that no native South African citizen who is qualified for the position was passed over in favour of the foreign national. The Intra Company Transfer is a work visa that allows an employee to transfer between a foreign company and its branch in South Africa.
Foreign nationals are allowed to work and live in South Africa depending on the period of time that they had agreed upon with their employers based there; as long as they have the skills and experience suited for the profession that they are applying for. The temporary visa provided for them cannot be used for the purpose of residing permanently in South Africa; they can be permitted only to extend their length of stay. Usually, a work visa is awarded for up to one year. However, if the foreign national’s job continues, the visa can still be extended provided this is applied for before it expires. Extensions are normally granted on a yearly basis.