South Africa: Work Permits



	What are Work Pemits? Requirements Documents to be Submitted Categories of Workers Workseeker's Permit
What are Work Permits? Work permits are issued to aliens who are temporarily employed in South Africa with or without a reward and also aliens temporarily managing or conducting their businesses. It is issued mainly to aliens with skills that are rarely available in South Africa such as managing a multinational enterprise. The second part of work permit for person conducting businesses in South Africa, is issued to those who, inter alia: have an excellent track record of running a business, whose setting up of a business will result in more capital being brought in from abroad. will bring more capital from abroad as a result of their investment in South Africa. employ South Africans manufacture goods that can be exported abroad and thereby contribute to the economy of South Africa. It is worth mentioning that, the holders of work permit may apply for a permanent residence in South Africa. The processing time for a work permit is 3 month. Requirements Applicants must be in the age category of 18 to 51. Must be in possession of a firm offer of employment which is of a temporary nature and the maximum duration for which the temporary employment is required, must be clearly defined by the prospective employer. The position offered must be commensurate with the person's experience and qualifications. Documents submitted in a foreign language should be translated to English by a sworn translator. Prescribed fee must be made in the form of cash, money order or certified bank check payable to the South African Consulate General, New York. No personal checks will be accepted. Mailing fee of $16.00 must be paid at all times. Documents to be Submitted Prescribed application forms(BI 159 A & C). Valid passport. Two passport photos. Degree of divorce or court order, where applicable, as well as proof of maintenance paid to the family(also in case of separations) Marriage certificate, where applicable. Full birth certificates of children, where applicable. Time bound contract. It is of great importance for employers and their prospective employee to ensure that the contract is send to us being signed by parties involved. Evaluation of the qualifications by the Human Sciences Research Council. Testimonials from previous employers evincing the applicant's competencies. Curriculum vitae Proof of advertisements or steps taken to fill the post, how many South African citizens or permanent residents applied and why they were found unsuitable. Police clearance certificate. This is furnished by all applicants of 18 years and older in respect all countries where they resided for a year or more. Medical certificate Proof of registration with a relevant professional body. Repatriation fee or bank guarantee. Processing time: two (2) weeks. Categories of Workers Key Personnel of International Concerns This category is mainly for persons who are seconded by multinational companies that have invested in South Africa in order to train South Africans or to implement a certain project for which persons who can implement them are not available in the said company's personnel in South Africa. No age restriction is placed on seconded personnel and no police clearances are requested from them. It is worth mentioning that such persons cannot apply for permanent residence. Work permits under this category will be issued to foreign nationals who are seconded to South African companies. Documents to be Submitted: Prescribed application forms(BI 159 A & C) Two passport photos. Valid passport. Applicant's resume. Supporting letter from the US employer detailing the nature of the job the applicant will perform, job title, duration of the secondment. Written undertaking to repatriate the applicant from South Africa on the expiry of the contract. Such an undertaking should be signed by both the applicant and his employer. Proof of medical cover while in South Africa. Medical certificate Prescribed fee of $132.00 Processing time: two (2) weeks. Employers or Consultants Recruited in terms of Government Agreements This category is for aliens who have been recruited to South Africa in terms of governments agreements as employees or consultants to work for either central or regional government. Additional documents to be submitted: Prescribed application forms(BI 159 A & C). Application form BI 159 C is not required if if a formal offer of employment is available. Valid passport. Two passport photos. Motivational letter for the appointment of an alien concerned from the relevant state or provincial government. Such a letter should detail maximum duration of the temporary employment or project. Copy of government contract. Prescribed fee of $132.00 Registration with a relevant professional body, if applicable. Work permits issued in terms of this category are renewable inside South Africa and a cash deposit or bank guarantee is not required. Au Pairs on Cultural Exchanges Au pairs involved in reciprocal au pair exchanges through cultural associations and au pair agencies may apply under this category. Documents to be submitted: Prescribed application forms (BI 159 A & C). Valid passport. Two passport photos. Proof of Matric certificate or High school diploma. Written undertaking by the applicant that he or she will not apply for employment other than that of an au pair while in the host country. Full birth certificate. Proof of return air ticket. Medical report. Proof of medical cover while in South Africa. Prescribed fee of $132.00. NB: Applicants should apply through established Au pair agencies or organizations in South Africa. Applicant must be between 18 - 26 years old. Processing time: two (2) weeks. Priests or Religious Workers Volunteering Work at Local Religious Institutions Documents to be submitted: Prescribed applications forms (BI 159 A, F & G). Valid passport. Two passport photos. Written undertaking from the designated signing officer of the Administrative body of the religious institution that the parish concerned will be responsible for the repatriation of the applicant. Proof of return air ticket. Prescribed fee of $132.00. NB: 1. No proof of advertisement is needed. 2. Priests and religious workers volunteering at local religious institutions need not to complete the following items on BI 159 forms: BI 159A: Items 1.9 - 1.13: excluded for unmarried applicants only Items 6.1 - 6.4: to be marked not applicable BI 159C: Items 6.6 - 6.16: Items 7.1.1 - 7.6: to be marked not applicable Items 8.2 - 8.4 BI 159F: Item 5: unless the applicant is a minor Item 7.2: a letter as indicated at 6.5 above replaces this item BI 159G: Items 6.1.2 - 6.2.6: to be marked not applicable Processing time: two (2) weeks. Self Employment or Own Business Aliens intending to set up businesses in South Africa for a short period of time may apply for work permit under this category. Documents to be submitted: Prescribed application forms (B 159 A and C) Two passport photos Birth Certificate Medical report Radiological Report Marriage Certificate (this should be provided by applicants whose spouses have different surnames) Valid Passport Prescribed fee Police Certificate Questionnaire in respect of self employment Proof of financial resources Bank statements Curriculum vitae of all partners Brief description of partner(s) related skills and job function Detailed summary and proof of the partner(s) financial commitment in this venture Documentary proof of funds available for transfer to South Africa Documentary proof of funds already transferred to South Africa Documentary proof of assets and liabilities: South Africa and International Feasibility study A diagram showing the company's manpower structure and how each key member will fit into this structure Certified copy of the registration certificate Audited financial statements for the preceding twelve months if an existing business is in question Import and export business - proof must be submitted of contracts entered into with the relevant trading countries Proof of import/export permits Partnerships Prescribed application forms (B 159 A and C) Two passport photos Birth Certificate Medical report Radiological Report Marriage Certificate Valid Passport Prescribed fee Police Certificate Questionnaire in respect of self employment Proof of financial resources Certified copy of the agreement of lease of the property of deed of sale or proof of ownership of the business, whichever is applicable Bank statements Certified copy of the partnership agreement Curriculum vitae of all partners Brief description of partner(s) related skills and job function Detailed summary and proof of the partner(s) financial commitment in this venture Documentary proof of funds available for transfer to South Africa Documentary proof of funds already transferred to South Africa Feasibility study Rand value of shares in the proposed business venture. Works Seekers Permit This kind of permit is issued to all foreigners who intend to go to South Africa for the purpose of entering into a contract with a South African employer. It is worth mentioning that its holders who will be looking for employment while in South Africa will be acting contrary to the conditions of the permit and thereby rendering themselves liable for arrest and possible repatriation if they can be caught. The permit can be extended under very exceptional cases and takes 3 months to be processed. Requirements Prescribed application forms (BI 159 A&B) Valid passport Two (2) passport photos Certified copies of applicant's academic qualifications Testimonials from previous employers confirming the applicant's competence Confirmation from the employer in South Africa confirming the entering into employment contract with the applicant