The qualifying criteria for the Critical Skills Visa is based on the following:
- 1 x Occupation listed on the Critical Skills Occupation List (View Critical Skills Occupation List)
- Register with a professional accredited body specific to your occupation
- Foreign qualifications assessed by SAQA
Qualifying criteria for foreign students who obtained their PhD in South Africa:
- Letter of recommendation from a South African statutory research council or public higher education institution
- Proof in the form of a sworn affidavit that the applicant does not have any contractual obligations to return to their country origin
- Proof of employment within 12 months after obtaining Critical Skills work visa in a form of an employment contract specifying the occupation and capacity in which the foreigner shall be employed
- Where there is no employment contract, proof of financial means every 12 months for the remainder of the validity of the visa
Qualifying criteria for academics and researchers
- Confirmation in writing from the accredited professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA or any relevant government department confirming the skills or qualifications of the applicant and appropriate post qualification experience
- Proof of application for certificate of registration with the accredited professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA
- Proof of evaluation of the foreign qualification by SAQA translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the republic
- Letter of recommendation from a South African statutory research council or public higher education institution
- Proof of employment within 12 months after obtaining Critical Skills work visa in a form of an employment contract specifying the occupation and capacity in which the foreigner shall be employed
- Where there is no employment contract, proof of financial means every 12 months for the remainder of the validity of the visa
The Advantages of applying for a Critical Skills Visa:
- No job offer needed (12 months to secure employment in South Africa)
- No experience needed (Certain professional accredited bodies require work expereince when applying for membership)
- No recommendation letter needed from the Department of Labour
- Occupations listed on the Critical Skills list are in high demand in South Africa
- Foreign students who obtained their PhD in South Africa can apply for a Critical Skills Visa
- The Critical Skills Visa has a validity period of 5 years
- Applicants who can prove 5 years work experience can apply for Permanent Residency immediately
The List of Skills Required is as Follows:
- Directors
- Policy Planning Managers
- Corporate General Managers
- Programme or Project Managers
- Quality Systems Managers
- Customer Services Managers
- Research and Development Managers
- Manufacturing Operations Managers
- Engineering Managers
- Supply and Distribution Managers
- Chief Information Officers
- Data Management Managers
- Environmental Managers
- Call or Contact Centre Managers
- Physicists
- Climate Change Scientists
- Chemists
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Materials Scientists
- Mineralogists
- Hydrologists
- Oceanographers
- Actuary's
- General Biologists
- Biotechnologists
- Microbiologists
- Zoologists
- Agricultural Scientists
- Food and Beverage Scientists
- Conservation Scientists
- Environmental Scientists
- Industrial Engineers
- Industrial Engineering Technologists
- Civil Engineers
- Civil Engineering Technologists
- Mechanical Engineers
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists
- Aeronautical Engineers
- Aeronautical Engineering Technologists
- Naval Architects
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Engineering Technologists
- Mining Engineers
- Metallurgists
- Biomedical Engineers
- Quantity Surveyors
- Agricultural Engineers
- Agricultural Engineering Technologists
- Electrical Engineers
- Electrical Engineering Technologists
- Energy Engineers
- Energy Engineering Technologists
- Electronics Engineers
- Architects
- Urgan and Regional Planners
- Multimedia Designers
- Nurse Educators
- University Lecturers ( See Gazette for Specifics )
- FET STEM School Teachers
- Senior Phase STEM Teachers
- Tax Professionals
- External Auditors
- Forensic Accountants
- Investment Analysts
- Investment Managers
- Investment Advisors
- Business Development Officers
- Policy Analysts
- Corporate Treasurers
- Organisational Risk Managers
- Internal Auditors
- Occupational Instructors ( Air Traffic Space )
- Market Research Analysts
- ICT Systems Analysts
- Data Scientists
- Software Developers
- Programmer Analysts
- Developer Programmers
- Multimedia Specialists
- Applications Programmers
- Computer Quality Assurance Analysts
- Computer Network and Systems Engineers
- Network Analysts
- ICT Security Specialists
- Economists
- Chemistry Technicians
- Town Planning Technicians
- Electronic Engineering Technicians
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Draughtspersons
- Air Traffic Controllers
- Inbound Contact Centre Consultants
- Outbound Contact Centre Consutlants
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics
- Metal Machinists
- Millwrights
- Mechatronics Technician
- Lift Mechanics
- Electrical Equipment Mechanics
- Transportation Electrician
- Instrument Mechanicians ( Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control )
You can also download the Gazetted Document from Home Affairs here