** Please note that this imformation is outdated. For newer information, please get in contact with one of our consultants **
South African Critical Skills Visa List, what you need to know.
Processing Time in South Africa: 30-40 days Processing Time if lodged abroad: 30 days | |
Government Fee in South Africa: R1520 New Submission Centre Fee ( in SA ): R1350 Government Fee abroad: Dependent on Currency | |
Application Form when submitting abroad: Click here Application Form when submitting in SA: Done Online |
Applying for a Critical Skills Visa for South Africa
The Critical Skills Visa for South Africa has been implemented to address a shortage of required skilled ocupations in South Africa. This visa has replaced the common Quota Permit and Exceptional Skills Permit. In conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labour, the Department of Home Affairs has released the new shortage occupation list found below.
What are the steps in securing a Critical Skills Visa?
The first thing to do is establish whether or not you on are the shortage occupations list below. If so, great! The next move would be to contact a New World Immigration consultant to discuss in detail your occupation, your qualifications and your post qualification experience.
Do I need to be registered with a Professional Body in South Africa?
This is by far the most complicated of all processes. Luckily, New World Immigration works closely with a number of regulatory bodies, professional bodies and training authorities to ensure you are ahead of the rest when understanding the key requirements of a critical skills visa.
The Critical Skills List - Published 3rd June 2014
Business, Economics and Management Studies
- Agricultural Engineer
- Agricultural Scientist
- Forestry Technician
- Sheep Shearer
- Architect
- Construction Project Manager
- Land Surveyor
- Quantity Surveyor
- Urban and Regional Planner
- Actuaries and Risk Assessors
- Corporate General Manager
- External Auditor
- Financial Investment Advisor
Information Communication & Technology
- CISCO Solution Specialist
- CISCO Engineers
- Solutions Architects in Telecommunications and ICT
- Integrated Developers (PHP, PERL, JAVA)
- Network Analyst
- IT Security Specialist
- System Integration Specialist
- Enterprise Architects
- Data Centre Operations
- Network Specialist (Security)
- Database Specialist
- Microsoft System Engineers
- Network Controllers
- AV Specialist (Anti-virus)
- Desktop Support Engineer
Engineering
- Energy Engineer
- Metallurgical Engineer
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Electrical Installation Inspector
- Electronics Engineer
- Geologist
- Industrial and Production Engineers
- Industrial Designer
- Manufacturing Managers
- Materials Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Mining Engineer
- Production/Operations Manager
- Quality System Manager
- Research and Development Manager
- Ship’s Engineer
- Telecommunications Engineers
- Electrical Engineering Technologist
- Energy Engineering Technologist
- Mechanical Engineering Technologist
- Metallurgical Engineering Technologist
- Mining Engineering Technologist
- Air Conditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
- Automotive Electrician
- Automotive Motor Mechanic
- Boiler Maker
- Chemical Engineering Technologist
- Civil Engineering Technologist
- Diesel Mechanic
- Electronics Engineering Technologist
- Fitter and Turner
- Materials Engineering Technologist
- Mechatronics Technician
- Metal Fabricator
- Physical and Engineering Science Technicians
- Pressure Welder
- Structural Plaster
- Toolmaker
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences
- Medical Superintendant/Public Health Manager
- Public Health Physician
- General and Specialist Medical Practitioner
- Hospital Pharmacist
- Nursing Professionals
- Veterinarian
- Registered Nurse (child and family health)
- Retail Pharmacist
Life and Earth Sciences
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Manager
- Industrial Pharmacist
- Aquatic Scientist
- Animal Scientist
- Advanced Composites Engineering
- Archaeological/Paleontological Specialist
- Bioeconomist
- Biochemists
- Bioinformatician
- Bioinformaticist
- Biological Scientist
- Botanical Scientist
- Chemical Scientist
- Computational Biologist
- Environmental Scientist
- Ecological Scientist
- Food Scientist
- Engineering Geologist
- Geochemist
- Geohazards Specialist
- Geologist
- Geophycist
- Laboratory Technologist and Technician
- Marine Bioscientist
- Materials Scientist
- Metallurgical Scientist
- Metrology
- Microbiological Scientist
- Polymer Scientist
- Protein Scientist
- Seismologist
- Soil Scientist
- Toxicology Scientist
- Water Resource Scientist
Professionals and Associate Professional
- Land and Engineering Surveyors
- Electronic Engineering Technician
- Materials Engineering Technologist
- Electrical Engineering Technician
- Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Practitioner
- Draughtsperson
- Mechanical Engineering Technician
- Chemical Engineering Technician
- Organisation and Methods Analyst (Incl. scheduler, estimator)
- Surveying Technician
- Geomatics Technician
- Quantity Surveying Technician
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Materials Engineer Non-destructive Testing (NDT)
- Materials Engineering Technician – Road materials
- Materials Tester
- Construction Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Agent/Manager/Officer
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Architectural Senior Technologist
- Architectural Draughtsperson
- Astronomer
- Physicist (SKA)
- Geomagnetic Physicist
- Solar Physicist
- Space Physicist
- Plasma Physicist
- Space Technologist
- Space Weather Specialist
- Magnetic Technology Specialist
- Radar Engineering
- Radio Frequency Engineering
- Environmental Technologist
- Industrial Engineer
- Industrial Engineering Technologist
- Industrial Engineering Technician
- Landscape Architect
- Landscape Contract Manager
- Landscape Horticulturalist
- Mining Technician
Trades
- Millwright
- Boilermaker (For Strategic Infrastructure Projects)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic
- Pipe Fitter
- Double Coded Welder
- Rigger
- Moulder
- Raise-bore Operators
- Raise-bore Foreman
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
- Software Development Engineers and Managers
- Systems Architects, Engineers and Managers
- Foreign Language speakers for specialist language support and technical or sales support (German, Swiss German, Flemish, Greek, Swedish, Danish, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and French)
- Business Analyst
- Quality Analyst
- Quality Assurance Specialist/Auditor
- Customer Service Manager/Team Lead
Academics and Researchers
- Doctoral Graduates (Acquired Abroad)
- Research in any of the following areas;
- Galaxy Formation and Evolution
- Galaxy Structure and Dynamics
- Pulsars and Black Holes
- Pulsars and Black Holes
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves
- Deep Observations of the earliest Radio Galaxies
- Dynamic and Transient Burst
- VLBI Operations
- Search for CO to investigate role of Molecular Hydrogen
- Deep Surveyors of Neutral Hydrogen Gas in the Early Universe
- Cosmology and Dark Energy
- Cosmic Magnetism
- Calibration and Imaging of Radio Interferometer data
- Pulsar Research
- Pulsar and Gravitational Waves
- VLBI Operations
- Signal Processing
- Observational Radio Astronomy in General
- Algorithm for Radio Astronomy
- Signal Processing for Radio Astronomy
- Supercomputing for Radio Astronomy
- Software Development for Radio Astronomy
- Data and Streaming- Real-Time Processing of Massive Data Amounts
- Green Computing- Extreme Performance at Minor Energy Cost
- Performance at Minor Energy Costs
- EMC and Spectrum Management
- Beam Modelling
- Antenna Modelling
- Feeds for Radio Astronomy Systems
- Receivers for Radio Astronomy Systems
- Signal Processing for Radio Astronomy
- High Speed Data Transport
- Nano-photonics-Data Transport Power
- Nanotechnology
- Palaeosciences
- Reduction over Short and Long Distances
- Antenna Design
- Antenna Foundation Design
- RFI Shielded Buildings and Facilities
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Space Science and Technology
- Global Change
- Energy Security
- Information Communication Technology
- Earth Observation
- Natural and Applied Sciences
Download the government gazette here -->
New Critical Skills Visa List of Shortage Occupations for South Africa
Published in the Government Gazette on 22 May 2014 the following regulations apply:
An application for a Critical Skills Work Visa has to be accompanied by proof that the applicant falls within the critical skills category in the form of:
(a) A confirmation, in writing, from the professional body, council or board recognised by the South African Qualifications Association (SAQA), in terms of Section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, or any relevant government department confirming the skills or qualifications of the applicant and appropriate post qualification experience.
(b) If required by law, proof of application for a certificate of registration with the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA in terms of Section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act.
(c) Proof of evaluation of the foreign qualification by SAQA and translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the Republic.