The general work visa is issued under section 19(2) of the Immigration Act to a foreign national with a job offer from a South African employer who cannot find a suitable South African citizen or permanent resident for the post. In practice you need a Department of Labour letter from the employer, SAQA-evaluated qualifications, a signed contract, employer undertakings, police clearance, a medical report and, since 18 October 2024, 100 points under the points-based system.
It is valid for the duration of the contract or up to five years. Work visas are issued only where citizens with the relevant skills are not available for appointment, per the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) types of visas page.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
- A job offer from a South African employer. Under the points-based system the offer is mandatory.
- A letter from the Department of Labour, issued to the employer, confirming that despite a diligent search the employer could not find a suitable citizen or permanent resident, and that your salary and benefits are not inferior to those of citizens in similar positions (regulation 18 of the Immigration Regulations, 2014, as amended in 2018).
- 100 points under the October 2024 points notice, earned without relying on a Critical Skills List occupation.
The points are: a qualification at NQF level 9 or 10 earns 50 and NQF 7 or 8 earns 30; a gross annual offer above R976,194 earns 50 and one between R650,976 and R976,194 earns 20; five to ten years’ experience earns 20 and more than ten years earns 30; a trusted employer earns 30; proficiency in an official language earns 10. These figures are from the October 2024 notice and may change.
Why is a general work visa harder than a critical skills visa?
A critical skills visa scores 100 points from the listed occupation alone. A general work visa must reach 100 points from the combination above and also needs the Department of Labour letter.
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure date. The employer must also undertake in writing to keep your passport valid for the period of your employment.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
From the applicant:
- A signed application form and your passport.
- Qualifications evaluated by SAQA and translated by a sworn translator into an official language where needed.
- A medical report and police clearance, each not older than six months, and a yellow fever certificate if applicable.
- Proof of payment of the applicable fee.
From the employer:
- A signed contract of employment, conditional on the visa being approved.
- A written undertaking to pay deportation costs and to keep your passport valid.
- Employer particulars, including CIPC registration, and undertakings to notify DHA of non-compliance or when you leave its employ.
- The Department of Labour letter described above.
DHA’s types of visas page lists a medical report but not a radiological report for this visa.
General work visa documents required 2014: which rules apply?
The document list comes from regulation 18 of the Immigration Regulations, 2014 (GN R413), as amended by GN R1328 of 2018, effective 1 December 2018. The 2014 regulations were amended in 2018, and the points-based system was added in October 2024, so use DHA’s current checklist rather than a 2014 list.
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
The medical report and police clearance above are the health and character checks. A blanket waiver signed on 8 July 2026 (gazetted on 17 July 2026) removed the requirement to submit a medical report for temporary residence visa and permanent residence permit applications. DHA’s own web pages still list it, and it is not confirmed whether the radiological report is also waived, so check the current VFS checklist before you apply. From 17 August 2026 the DHA fee for a work visa, including renewals, is R1 520, according to the gazetted fee regulations. VFS charges a separate service fee, so confirm that amount with VFS Global before you pay.
Your employer must report any change of employment or role to DHA. Whether a new application is needed in that case is not stated on the official pages, so ask DHA before you change position or employer.
How to Prepare or Apply
- Confirm that your employer is prepared to obtain the Department of Labour letter and sign the undertakings.
- Get your qualifications evaluated by SAQA.
- Collect the medical report, police clearance and other documents above.
- Lodge the application through a VFS Global centre in South Africa or at the nearest South African mission abroad. If you are already in the country on another visa, apply in person at least 60 days before it expires.
DHA’s turnaround target for a general work visa is four working weeks for applications submitted in South Africa and processed at head office, per the turnaround times page. This is a target, not a guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the South African general work visa?
It is a section 19(2) visa for a foreigner with a job offer where no suitable South African is available. It is valid for the contract or up to five years.
What if my employer will not get the Department of Labour letter?
The letter is a required document, so without it the application is incomplete. How the Labour department process works in practice, including advertising, is not set out on the DHA pages we checked, so ask the employer to confirm it with the department.
Can I change employers?
Your employer must report a change of employment or role to DHA. Ask DHA whether a new application is needed before you change.
Can my spouse work?
The official pages we checked do not say. Confirm with DHA or VFS Global.
How much does a general work visa cost?
The DHA fee for a general work visa, including renewals, is R1 520 from 17 August 2026. VFS charges a separate service fee, so confirm that amount with VFS Global.
For the wider picture see our guide to visa requirements and browse all travel and immigration requirements. Confirm the final checklist and fee with the South African Department of Home Affairs or VFS Global before you apply.