South Africa’s work visa program has now been modernized through a points-based system for the critical skilled worker stream. This means candidates interested in working in the country will have to score either 100 points through their occupation listed on the “critical skills list” or through a combination of points scored through different eligibility criteria.
As per the announcement from 18 October 2024, the points-based determination rules have been announced for the general work visas and critical skills worker visas by Dr. L.A. Schreiber, MP, Minister of Home Affairs.
The changes are in terms of sections 19(2) and (4) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002), read together with regulations 18(12) and (13) of the Immigration Regulations, 2014, and after consultation with the Immigration Advisory Board.
Initially, the critical skills worker visa was introduced in February 2022 to overcome the labor shortage in the local labor market. The list of critical skills list can be viewed here.
New Points-Based System
According to the new rules, interested candidates from around the world will have to score 100 points to apply for the critical skills worker visa of South Africa. There have been set aside two ways to fulfill this eligibility requirement:
- a)- through an occupation from the “critical skills list”; and or
- b)- points scored through qualification, job offer, work experience, and language skills.
A valid job offer aligned with the critical skill is still required for all critical skill work visa applications. Furthermore, applicants with occupations on the critical skills list who do not meet all standard requirements since 2022 will be evaluated using the Points-Based System (PBS), which awards points based on the following criteria:
Language Proficiency
Applicants who are proficient in at least one official language earn 10 points.
Salary Requirements
Applicants earning an annual gross salary of R976,194.00 or more are awarded 50 points. Those earning between R650,796.00 and R976,194.00 receive 20 points.
Work Experience
Applicants with verifiable work experience of 5-10 years are awarded 20 points, while those with 10 or more years receive 30 points.
Trusted Employer
Those employed by Trusted Employers (TES employers) gain 20 points.
Educational Qualifications
Applicants with qualifications at NQF levels 7-8 receive 30 points, while those with qualifications at NQF levels 9-10 receive 50 points.
Explanation of the Critical Skills Work Visa Rules
Applicants must fulfill all additional required criteria—such as police clearance and a medical report—to qualify for either a critical skills or general work visa. Achieving a total of 100 points is necessary to obtain a visa.
- If an applicant reaches the 100-point threshold specifically through points associated with an occupation on the Critical Skills List, and meets all other required criteria, they may be eligible for a critical skills work visa.
- If the applicant reaches 100 points through other qualifications not tied to a critical skills occupation and meets all required criteria, they may qualify for a general work visa instead.
Points-Based System for Critical Skills Work Visa
| Criteria | Points (%) | Criteria | Offer from a Trusted Employer | |
| Occupation | Occupation on the Critical Skills List | 100 | ||
| Qualifications | South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels 9 and 10 | 50 | South African NQF levels 7 and 8 | 30 |
| Offer of Employment (Mandatory) | Above R976,194 (about US$55,260) gross per annum | 50 | Between R650,976 and R976,194 gross per annum | 20 |
| Work Experience | 5-10 years | 20 | 10+ years | 30 |
| Employment Status | Offer from Trusted Employer | 30 | ||
| Language Proficiency | Proficient in at least one official language | 10 |