Secure Employment-Based Residency in South Africa with Legal Precision
Planning to work in South Africa under a formal employment contract? The General Work Visa is South Africa’s standard employment-based visa, designed for foreign nationals who have secured a job offer and meet specific qualifications.
At Borderless Lawyers, we guide you through every step of the process—from verifying employer compliance to preparing a fully compliant application that meets Department of Home Affairs (DHA) standards.
✅ What Is the General Work Visa?
The General Work Visa enables foreign nationals to live and work in South Africa legally based on a full-time job offer from a local employer. It is generally issued for the duration of the employment contract, up to 5 years, and may be renewed or used as a stepping stone to permanent residency.
🔶 Key Requirements
To qualify for the General Work Visa, you must:
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Have a valid job offer from a South African employer
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The employer must conduct a labor market test to prove no suitable South African citizen or permanent resident is available for the role
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Obtain a SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) evaluation of your foreign qualifications
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Provide a contract of employment, medical certificate, and police clearance
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Demonstrate adequate financial means and health insurance
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Employer must be in good standing with SARS and the Department of Labour
⚠️ Note: This visa is more complex than the Critical Skills Visa and typically requires more documentation, especially for the employer.
🛠 How We Help
1️⃣ Eligibility Review & Employer Assessment
We assess both the applicant and employer to ensure all conditions for the visa are met—including company registration, tax status, and labor compliance.
2️⃣ Document Collection & Legal Compliance
We assist with:
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SAQA evaluation
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Employment contract review
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Notarization and certification of documents
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Labour market test coordination
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Letters of motivation and supporting affidavits
3️⃣ Application Preparation & Submission
We manage the full submission via VFS Global or directly through the DHA, minimizing delays or rejections.
4️⃣ Renewals & Permanent Residency Planning
Ongoing legal support for status extensions, work visa renewals, and eventual permanent residence applications.
👥 Who Is This Visa For?
✅ Foreign professionals with a formal job offer in South Africa
✅ Employers hiring skilled talent not available locally
✅ Expats seeking long-term work and relocation options
✅ Individuals not qualifying under the Critical Skills List
🇿🇦 Why Work in South Africa?
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Competitive salary packages and multinational employer presence
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Live in a vibrant country with world-class infrastructure
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Access to high-quality healthcare and schooling
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Work experience in Africa’s most developed and diverse economy
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Pathway to long-term residence and family reunification
📞 Start with Legal Certainty
A General Work Visa involves both employer and employee compliance. At Borderless Lawyers, we help navigate every regulatory hurdle—ensuring your application is complete, correct, and built for approval.