Work Permit /Visa Application
Expert Guidance through the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) application process. Complete Our secure onine form to begin your submission today
A work Permit in South Africa
A work permit (officially a temporary residence visa for work) allows a foreign national to work legally in South Africa. It is processed by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and is usually employer-sponsored (except in rare cases like Critical Skills visas).
Government of South Africa
- Main Types of Work Permits
Each type has slightly different requirements and timelines:
Typical Processing Time
Type of Permit
Typical Purpose
Critical Skills Work Visa
For workers with skills on the designated list
~4–8 weeks
General Work Visa
Standard employer-sponsored work visa
~8–12 weeks
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
For employees transferred within a multinational company
~3–6 weeks
Corporate Visa
For companies hiring pre-approved quotas of workers
~6–8 weeks
World Passports
Other Specialized Visas
e.g., Independent Contractor, Exchange, etc.
Varies
Note: Actual processing can vary widely based on completeness of documents, applicant’s country of origin and Home Affairs backlog.
We only apply Inside South Africa:
At a Home Affairs regional office
South Africa Info
Step-by-Step Procedure How we help:
STEP 1 — Employer Chooses the Right Visa Category
Determine if the applicant qualifies under Critical Skills, General Work, Intra-Company Transfer, etc.
playroll.com
Employer must be ready to sponsor and provide a compliant job offer.
Typical duration: Preparation of documents — 1–4 weeks
STEP 2 — Prepare Required Documents
Common paperwork:
Passport (valid ≥ 30 days beyond intended stay)
Completed Form BI-1738
Job offer / employment contract Qualifications (often SAQA evaluation required)
Police clearance certificates
Medical & radiology reports
Proof of financial means
Passport photos
Marriage or birth certificates (if dependants included) Foreign qualifications must be translated into English (by a sworn translator).
Worker Permit
Tip: Missing or uncertified documents are a major cause of delays.
Duration: Document collection — 2–6 weeks
STEP 3 — We Submit Application
Submit at:
SA Embassy / High Commission / Consulate, or
VFS Global, orHome Affairs office inside SA.
You will receive a tracking number and sometimes a receipt. All correspondence is via email.
South Africa Info
STEP 4 — Department of Home Affairs Processing
The DHA reviews:
Completeness of application
Validity of documents
Attachments & attestations
Processing time varies by visa type:
Typical DHA Processing
Visa Type
Critical Skills Visa
4–8 weeks
General Work Visa
8–12 weeks
Intra-Company Transfer
~3–6 weeks
Corporate Visa
~6–8 weeks
WorldPassports
Reality check: Sometimes delays occur if additional information is requested. It can take longer than the published timeline.
SA Facts
STEP 5 — Decision & Notification
Once DHA decides:
Visa approved:
We get instructions to collect your passport with endorsement. You will get notified by email.
South Africa Info
Visa refused:
You have the right to appeal or re-apply with corrected documentation. No refund will be offered if you are refused.
Some approvals may still take weeks to be physically stamped in your passport after the decision.
STEP 6 — Entry to South Africa
If approved outside SA:
Enter within stipulated validity period.
Present your endorsement at port of entry.
If applied within SA:
Home Affairs will update you on how and when to collect your visa card or permit.
Typical Timelines (Summarised)
Stage
Expected Duration
Document preparation
1–6 weeks
Submission to decision
4–12 weeks (varies by visa)
Passport endorsement & collection
1–3 weeks
Total realistic time
8–18 weeks+
Critical Skills is usually quicker than General Work.
Missing docs or follow-ups can extend this.
Extensions & Renewals
Work visas are generally valid for 2–5 years and may be renewed.
Applications for renewal must be lodged before expiry (often ~60 days in advance).