Hiring with the Critical Skills Visa South Africa: Requirements & Process

Basic Eligibility Requirements for the Critical Skills Visa

The Critical Skills Visa is designed for skilled, experienced professionals with evidence-backed expertise in an occupation officially classified as “critical” in South Africa.

Employee Requirements

• A recognised qualification aligned with a listed critical skill
• Relevant work experience (usually at least 3–5 years depending on the job)
• Registration with a South African professional body if required (e.g., engineering, medical, accounting bodies)
• A formal job offer from a South African employer
• Police clearance certificates
• Proof of sufficient financial means
• Credentials evaluation (via SAQA)
• Health insurance and medical reports

Required Documents (Employee)

• Valid passport
• Employment contract or written job offer
• SAQA-completed credential evaluation
• Degree certificates, transcripts, and proof of qualifications
• Professional registration or license (if applicable)
• Detailed CV with proof of experience
• Police clearance certificates
• Medical and radiological reports
• Recent passport photos
• Proof of funds (if required)

Required Documents (Employer)

• Detailed job description aligned with the applicable critical skill
• Signed employment contract
• Proof of business registration (CIPC docs, tax clearance)
• Motivation letter explaining the need for the critical skill
• Confirmation that the salary meets South African labour standards
• Company organogram and overview of business operations (often requested)

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Step-by-Step Process for Sponsoring a Critical Skills Visa

1. Confirm the role appears on South Africa’s official Critical Skills List.
2. Provide a job offer that aligns with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
3. The employee completes a SAQA qualification evaluation.
4. If required, the employee registers with the relevant South African professional body.
5. The employer prepares supporting letters and documentation to justify the hire.
6. The employee applies to a South African embassy, visa centre, or inside South Africa (where permitted).
7. The Department of Home Affairs reviews the application and may request additional documentation.
8. Once approved, the employee receives a visa endorsement in their passport and can begin work.

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Costs & Fees Employers Should Expect for the Critical Skills Visa

South Africa does not charge employer sponsorship licence fees, but there are still costs for both employer and employee to consider.

Government Fees (Typically Paid by the Employee)

• Visa application fee (varies by location but typically $100–$150 equivalent)
• VFS service fees (if applicable)
• Medical and radiological exam costs
• SAQA evaluation fees
• Professional body registration fees
  

Costs Borne by the Employer

• Time and internal resources to prepare supporting documentation
• Legal or immigration advisor fees (if you engage external specialists)
• Relocation or travel costs (if included in your package)
• Administrative costs for compliance documentation

Costs Shared by Both

• Social and tax contributions under South African labour law
• Renewal application fees if the employee remains long-term

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Employer Responsibilities to Ensure Compliance

Key Compliance Duties:

• Ensure the employee works only in the approved role and for your organisation.
• Maintain employment terms that meet labour standards and visa requirements.
• Report major changes such as early termination, role changes, salary adjustments, or extended absence.
• Keep accurate records of:
  
  • Employment contract
  • Salary payments
  • Proof of recruitment and justification for hiring
  • Any professional body registration
• Understand that non-compliance can lead to fines, employee visa revocation, or future sponsorship restrictions.

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Hire Global Talent Your Way with Playroll

Borders shouldn’t hold you back from hiring the right person. Playroll gives you two seamless options to hire globally. If relocation is the goal, our visa sponsorship services take care of everything when it comes to sponsoring a Critical Skills Visa – applications, compliance, and step-by-step support all the way through.

If moving isn’t needed, skip the visa fees, long processing times, and immigration risk with Playroll’s Employer of Record. We employ the candidate in their home country on your behalf, handling payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance so you can onboard quickly and stay fully compliant: no relocation required. Wherever your next great hire is based, we make it easy to bring them onto your team.

Ready to make global hiring that much easier? Chat to our experts.