Quick Answer: Corporate Visa Requirements South Africa
A corporate visa is granted to a South African company rather than to an individual. It authorises the company to employ a specified number of foreign workers, who then apply for corporate worker certificates under that authorisation.
This makes it a two-stage arrangement: the company obtains the corporate visa, and individual workers are then processed under it. The burden of the first stage sits entirely with the employer. Requirements.co.za is an independent information website. It is not a government department, immigration practitioner or accountant, and nothing here is immigration, legal or financial advice.
Who This Requirement Applies To
This guide is for South African companies considering employing foreign workers at scale, and for workers being recruited under such an arrangement.
For individual routes, see Work Visa Requirements South Africa.
Eligibility Requirements
The company has to establish the need and its own standing before any worker is considered.
Applicant type
- The company applies. The corporate visa is issued to the employer, specifying the number of foreign workers authorised.
- Justification of need. The company normally has to demonstrate why the positions cannot be filled locally, in the numbers sought.
- Departmental input. Recommendations from the responsible labour and trade departments are commonly part of the process.
- Company compliance. Registration and good standing with the companies, revenue and labour authorities.
- Worker certificates. Individual workers apply under the corporate visa once granted, with their own documents.
- Ongoing obligations. Conditions attach to the company regarding the workers employed under it.
Documents You May Need
The company file and the worker files are separate, and the company one comes first.
Required proof
- Company registration and tax compliance documentation.
- Motivation and evidence of the need for foreign workers.
- Departmental recommendations where required.
- Job descriptions and terms for the positions concerned.
- For each worker: passport, qualifications, police clearance and medical reports.
Steps to Apply or Prepare
The company applies for the corporate visa first, establishing the need and the number of workers.
Once granted, individual workers apply for corporate worker certificates under that authorisation.
Maintain the conditions attached, since these are enforceable against the company.
Costs, Processing Times and Validity
Costs fall mainly on the employer for the corporate application, with individual worker applications carrying their own fees. Timelines are extended because two stages run sequentially. Confirm the current process before recruiting.
Common Mistakes and Delays
Common mistake
- Workers assuming they can apply before the company has the corporate visa.
- Underestimating the evidence the company must supply on local labour availability.
- Company compliance gaps with the revenue or labour authorities.
- Recruiting on a timeline that ignores the two-stage sequence.
- Assuming individual work visa rules apply to this route.
Where to Confirm Official Requirements
Confirm the current capital amount, undertakings and recommendation process with the Department of Home Affairs and the responsible trade and industry department. The Official Requirements Sources South Africa page links to the responsible bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who applies for a corporate visa?
The South African company applies, and it is issued to the employer specifying the number of foreign workers authorised.
How do workers get authorised?
Individual workers apply for corporate worker certificates under the corporate visa once it has been granted to the company.
Can workers apply first?
No. The company authorisation comes first, which is why recruitment timelines must account for two sequential stages.
What obligations does the company have?
Conditions attach regarding the workers employed under the visa, and company compliance with the revenue and labour authorities is required.
Where can I confirm the requirements?
Confirm with the Department of Home Affairs and the responsible departments.