CRITICAL SKILLS VISA
What is it?
The critical skills visa is a type of work visa issued to highly skilled foreign professionals within specific occupational fields for which there is a skills shortage in South Africa (so-called “critical skills”).
- The applicant must fall within an occupational category recognised as a critical skill
- Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) in terms of local educational standards
- The applicant must be registered as a member with the appropriate professional body for their occupational field in South Africa
- Spouses and children can apply for matching dependant visas to accompany the main visa holder to South Africa
- Foreigners with at least 5 years of post-qualification practical work experience – which can also have been acquired overseas – are able to apply for permanent residence status on the basis of critical skills