South Africa Work Visa 2026: Types, Fees and Processing Time
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) issues work visas only where South African citizens with the relevant skills are not available. The two main routes are the critical skills work visa and the general work visa, both now assessed under a points-based system gazetted in October 2024. This guide covers the visa types, the points table, the documents, the R1 520 fee, the official processing times, and what changes for US, UK, Indian and Pakistani citizens, as published by the DHA and read on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
You need a job offer and 100 points. An occupation on the Critical Skills List scores 100 on its own and leads to a critical skills work visa. Other combinations of points lead to a general work visa. Both last up to 5 years. The DHA fee for a work visa is R1 520, and applications submitted within South Africa have a turnaround of 4 weeks in working days. Since 8 July 2026, applicants no longer need to submit a medical report.
Types of South African work visa
| Visa | Who it is for | Maximum length |
|---|---|---|
| Critical skills work visa | People whose occupation is on the Critical Skills List. The DHA says it is not a work-seeker's visa, and every application needs a job offer from a verifiable employer in good standing with the Department of Employment and Labour. | Five years at a time |
| General work visa | People who reach 100 points through other criteria, such as qualifications, salary and experience | Duration of the contract, up to 5 years |
| Intra-company transfer work visa | Existing employees of a multinational moved to its South African branch, subsidiary or affiliate. The contract with the company abroad must run for at least six months. | Four years, and it cannot be renewed or extended |
| Corporate visa | Held by a corporate entity, such as a mining group or farmer, to employ a set number of skilled, semi-skilled or unskilled workers | Three years |
| Remote work visitor's visa | People working for a foreign employer while staying in South Africa. It does not allow employment in South Africa. | More than 3 months to 3 years |
The points-based system
The Minister of Home Affairs gazetted the points-based system for general work and critical skills work visas on 18 October 2024. You must earn 100 points and meet all other requirements.
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Occupation on the Critical Skills List | 100 |
| Qualification at NQF levels 9 and 10 | 50 |
| Qualification at NQF levels 7 and 8 | 30 |
| Job offer above R976,194 gross per year (a job offer is mandatory) | 50 |
| Job offer between R650,976 and R976,194 gross per year | 20 |
| Work experience of 5 to 10 years | 20 |
| Work experience of 10+ years | 30 |
| Job offer from a Trusted Employer | 30 |
| Proficient in at least one official language | 10 |
If you reach 100 points through a critical skills occupation, you may get a critical skills work visa. If you reach 100 through other points, you may get a general work visa. The Critical Skills List that the DHA links to was gazetted on 3 October 2023.
South Africa work visa requirements
- A fully completed and signed application form. For the critical skills visa, the DHA says handwritten forms will not be accepted.
- A passport valid for no less than 30 days after your intended departure date.
- A police clearance certificate, no older than six months, from each country where you lived for more than 12 months. The general work visa page counts the last five years; the critical skills page counts any period after the age of 18.
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate if you travelled from or through a yellow fever endemic area.
- An offer or contract of employment signed by you and the employer.
- Written undertakings from the employer to cover deportation costs if needed and to keep your passport valid.
- Your foreign qualification evaluated by SAQA and translated by a sworn translator into an official language.
- For critical skills: proof your occupation is on the Critical Skills List, and confirmation from the relevant professional body, council or board of your skills and experience.
- Marriage, birth and custody documents for family members, where they apply, and proof of payment of the fee.
The DHA pages still list a medical report and, for critical skills, a radiological report. However, Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026, signed on 08/07/26, waives the medical report for all visa and permanent residence applications, including those pending.
South Africa work visa price
| Application | DHA fee |
|---|---|
| Work visa, including renewals (section 19) | R1 520, 00 |
| Corporate visa | R1520,00 |
| Visitor's visa (section 11), the category that covers the remote work visa | R425,00 |
| Permanent residence permit | R1520,00 |
The DHA updated these fees as per gazette 55209 published on 17 August 2026. Applications are lodged through VFS centres in South Africa or at the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad. For visitor's visas, the DHA notes the fee is payable in different currencies in different countries, so check the amount with the office where you apply.
South Africa work visa processing time
| Application | DHA turnaround time |
|---|---|
| Critical skills visa, section 19(4) | 4 weeks |
| General work visa, section 19(2) | 4 weeks |
| Business visa | 8 weeks |
| Permanent residence, worker (section 26(a)) | 8 months |
These times are counted in working days, excluding weekends and South African public holidays, and apply only to applications submitted within South Africa for processing at the Home Affairs Head Office.
Rules by nationality
- US citizens: ordinary US passport holders are exempt from a visa for visits of up to 90 days. To work, you still need a work visa.
- UK citizens: ordinary UK passport holders are also exempt for 90 days for visits, and need a work visa to take up a job.
- Indian citizens: the DHA exemption list, issued on 09 December 2025, exempts only Indian diplomatic, official and service passports. Ordinary Indian passport holders need a visa even to visit, as well as a work visa to work.
- Pakistani citizens: Pakistan is not on the exemption list, and Pakistan appears on the DHA list of countries subject to visa fees. Since 1 August 2022, ordinary Pakistani passport holders also need a port of entry or transit visa to pass through South Africa.
Planning the wider move? See our moving to South Africa guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many points do I need for a South Africa work visa?
100 points. An occupation on the Critical Skills List gives 100 on its own; otherwise you combine qualifications, salary, experience, a Trusted Employer offer and language.
How much does a South Africa work visa cost?
The DHA fee is R1 520 for a work visa, including renewals, updated in August 2026.
How long does a South Africa work visa take?
The DHA turnaround is 4 weeks in working days for critical skills and general work visas submitted within South Africa.
Do Americans need a work visa for South Africa?
Yes, to work. US ordinary passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days.
Can Indian citizens get a South Africa work visa?
Yes, through the same points-based routes. Ordinary Indian passport holders are not visa-exempt, so they also need a visa to visit.
Do I still need a medical report?
No. Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026 waived the medical report for visa and permanent residence applications from 8 July 2026.
Can I work for a South African company on a remote work visa?
No. The holder of a remote work visitor's visa is not entitled to take up employment in South Africa.
Official sources
- Department of Home Affairs — South African visas
- Department of Home Affairs — Critical skills visa
- Government Gazette 51416 — Points-based system (18 October 2024)
- Department of Home Affairs — Fees
- Department of Home Affairs — Turnaround times
- Department of Home Affairs — Exempt countries
- Government Gazette 55016 — Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — Remote work visa requirements
All rules, points, fees and time frames verified against the official sources above on 14 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.