What is an Critical Skill Visa? South African skilled work visas have changed level of immigrations for these types of jobs. Applicants who have an international qualification have been able to fast track their applications and category jobs. Which are the skills that can be used to apply for this work permit?

The Critical Skills Visa (CSV) is one of the South African work visas available to a foreign national wishing to work in South Africa. The CSV is a points based visa, which requires the applicant to meet certain minimum criteria relating to education, experience and age in order to qualify for this Work Advantage Visas South Africa.

The South African Critical Skills Work Visa (also referred to as the Critical Skills Work Permit) is a residence permit issued by the Department of Home Affairs to foreign nationals wishing to enter South Africa to fill skills shortages within the country.

Critical Skill Visa For South Africa

Making the right choice when it comes to looking for a South African visa can be challenging, especially if you are new to the country. The more time you dedicate before making a decision the easier and smoother your transition will be. To help you make your decision we have created this helpful guide, outlining the different visa categories available.

South Africa critical skills visa

South Africa is a dynamic country with a growing economy and exciting job opportunities in traditional as well as expanding sectors like tech. The South African lifestyle is relaxed but also has a lot to offer in terms of leisure and entertainment, with vibrant cities like Cape Town being magnets for young locals and foreigners alike.

It is normal that many consider making it their home. Some first visit South Africa on a temporary visa, fall in love with the place and decide to move here and look for a job. Others are offered a position with a relocation package and visa sponsorship.

There are many different types of visas for South Africa, including (among others) several short-term, medical, or working visas.

This page includes information about a long-term visa that allows foreigners to work and earn a salary in South Africa, the critical skills work visa (CSWV):

• What a critical skills visa is and its validity
• What are the critical skills sought after in the country
• How to get a critical or scarce skills visa for South Africa

The critical skill visa for South Africa

The critical skill visa was recently launched and replaced the former exceptional skills and quota work visas. It is a work visa that does not only benefit expats but also the South African economy.

In fact, the top goal of the critical skill visa is to assist the South African Department of Trade and Industry in achieving the objectives of programs like:

• The National Development Plan(NDP)
• The Industrial Policy Action Plan(IPAP)
• The New Growth Plan(NGP)

Under the CSWV system, foreigners who possess exceptional skills or qualifications that are scarce in South Africa will be allowed to move to the country and work. The occupations and skills that are in high demand were identified by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

South Africa critical skills visa: validity

A critical skill work visa is not a permanent but rather a long-term visa. It can be used to enter the country to start work but it is not a pathway to permanent residency.

A CSWV can be issued to an applicant for a period of up to 5 years. The actual validity will depend on the applicant’s specific circumstances. If the applicant has not already secured a job and no offer of employment has been made, the CSWV will be valid for no longer than 1 year.

Critical skill visas allow the holder to add their spouse and dependent children to the permit. The applicant’s family members will be allowed into South Africa for as long as the CSWV remains valid.

The critical skills visa for South Africa can be renewed provided that all requirements for renewal are met. Foreign nationals wishing to renew their visa must pay the relevant fee.

Critical skills considered for the visa

The official list of critical skills was published by the Department of Higher Education and Training in its official Gazette in June 2018.

The most sought-after professional figures can be grouped into the following sectors:

Agricultural skills

• Agricultural Engineer
• Forestry Technician
• Agricultural Scientist
• Sheep Shearer

Construction

• Construction Project Manager
• Quantity Surveyor
• Architect
• Land Surveyor
• Urban and Regional Planner

Business, Management, and Economics

• Actuaries and Risk Assessors
• External Auditor
• Corporate General Manager
• Financial Investment Advisor

Information technology and communication

• CISCO Solution Specialist
• Network Analyst
• CISCO Engineers
• Integrated Developers (PHP, Perl, Java )
• System Integration Specialist
• Data Centre Operations