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South African work permit documentation

Work Permit Documents RequiredSouth Africa 2025

Complete checklist of documents required for South African work permits. Get your general work visa, critical skills visa, or spousal visa approved faster with our expert guidance.

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South African Work Permit Document Requirements

Detailed document checklists for each type of work permit to ensure your immigration to South Africa is successful. All documents must be original or certified copies.

SECTION 26(A) - GENERAL WORK PERMIT

For foreign nationals with permanent job offers in South Africa. Family members may apply together with the main applicant.

Processing Time: 8-12 weeks

Important Note: All documents issued by the issuing authority of the country of origin shall be original or certified copies and where applicable translated into English, which translation shall be certified as a correct translation by a sworn translator. Applicants must renew their temporary resident visa whilst awaiting the outcome for permanent residence permit.

Required Documents:

VFS appointment letter
A duly completed DHA-947 form online. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by the Department of Home Affairs
Payment of the application fee. If the application fee was paid to VFS bank account or the mission, an original bank payment receipt, where the application fee was paid using the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), receipt for each applicant
Present a valid original passport in respect of each applicant and passport photograph for all applicants one year of age and older. A recent, passport-type, full face photograph bearing the names of the applicants on the reverse side thereof. (Machine-type or instant photographs are not acceptable)
A valid general work visa for temporary sojourn at the time of application in respect of each applicant, if the application is made in the Republic
Marriage certificate or proof of relationship in respect of a spouse accompanying the applicant or joining the applicant in the Republic (Islamic marriages entered into within the Republic are not considered)
Divorce decree to prove the dissolution of a marriage in the case where a party was a spouse in the previous marriage or the death certificate of the deceased spouse
Proof of financial support to each other
Proof of parental responsibilities and rights or written consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent or legal guardian, as the case may be In respect of dependent children accompanying the applicant or joining the applicant in the Republic
Unabridged birth certificate, or extract from birth record for applicant(s)
A deed poll in the case of the applicant who has changed his or her name, surname or sex
Original Police clearance certificate issued by the police or security authority in each country where the relevant applicant resided for 12 months or longer after attaining the age of 18 years except for South Africa, in respect of criminal records or the character of that applicant, which certificate shall not be older than six months at the time of its submission: (Provided that the certificate shall not be required from a foreign country in the case of renewal or extension of a visa)
Radiological report (not required in respect of children under the age of 12 years or a pregnant woman). The certificate must not be older than six (6) months at the time the applicant submits an application
Medical report for all applicants. The certificate must not be older than six (6) months at the time the applicant submits an application
Yellow fever vaccination certificate if that person travelled or intends travelling from or transit through a yellow fever endemic area: Provided that the certificate shall not be required where that person travelled or intends travelling in direct transit through such area or where an application is made in the Republic
Proof of five years continuous work visa, excluding work in terms of intra company transfer, corporate and Zimbabwean special project visas
Offer of permanent employment in the form of a contract of employment
A letter from your employer confirming your current and permanent employment, which is not older than six months
Proof of qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority
Work references or certificates of service (covering at least the last five years)
Present yourself for biometrics at the visa facilitation centre
Endorsement related to Professional Association should be attached
Proof of five years continuous work visa, excluding work in terms of intra company transfer, corporate and Zimbabwean special project visas
Offer of permanent employment in the form of a contract of employment
A letter from your employer confirming your current and permanent employment, which is not older than six months
Proof of qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority
Work references or certificates of service (covering at least the last five years)

SECTION 26(A) - SPOUSE ACCOMPANYING A GENERAL WORK PERMIT HOLDER

For spouses of general work permit holders applying for permanent residence

Processing Time: 6-8 weeks

Required Documents:

VFS appointment letter
A duly completed DHA-947 form online. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by the Department of Home Affairs
Payment of the application fee. If the application fee was paid to VFS bank account or the mission, an original bank payment receipt, where the application fee was paid using the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), receipt for each applicant
Present a valid original passport in respect of each applicant and passport photograph for all applicants one year of age and older. A recent, passport-type, full face photograph bearing the names of the applicants on the reverse side thereof. (Machine-type or instant photographs are not acceptable)
A valid spousal visa for temporary sojourn at the time of application in respect of each applicant, if the application is made in the Republic
Marriage certificate or proof of relationship in respect of a spouse accompanying the applicant or joining the applicant in the Republic (Islamic marriages entered into within the Republic are not considered)
Divorce decree to prove the dissolution of a marriage in the case where a party was a spouse in the previous marriage or the death certificate of the deceased spouse
Proof of financial support to each other
Unabridged birth certificate, or extract from birth record for applicant(s)
A deed poll in the case of the applicant who has changed his or her name, surname or sex
Original Police clearance certificate issued by the police or security authority in each country where the relevant applicant resided for 12 months or longer after attaining the age of 18 years except for South Africa, in respect of criminal records or the character of that applicant, which certificate shall not be older than six months at the time of its submission: (Provided that the certificate shall not be required from a foreign country in the case of renewal or extension of a visa)
Radiological report (not required in respect of children under the age of 12 years or a pregnant woman). The certificate must not be older than six (6) months at the time the applicant submits an application
Medical report for all applicants. The certificate must not be older than six (6) months at the time the applicant submits an application
Yellow fever vaccination certificate if that person travelled or intends travelling from or transit through a yellow fever endemic area: Provided that the certificate shall not be required where that person travelled or intends travelling in direct transit through such area or where an application is made in the Republic
Present yourself for biometrics at the visa facilitation centre

SECTION 26(A) - DEPENDENT ACCOMPANYING A GENERAL WORK PERMIT HOLDER

For dependent children of general work permit holders applying for permanent residence

Processing Time: 6-8 weeks

Required Documents:

VFS appointment letter
A duly completed DHA-947 form online. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by the Department of Home Affairs
Payment of the application fee. If the application fee was paid to VFS bank account or the mission, an original bank payment receipt, where the application fee was paid using the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), receipt for each applicant
Present a valid original passport in respect of each applicant and passport photograph for all applicants one year of age and older. A recent, passport-type, full face photograph bearing the names of the applicants on the reverse side thereof. (Machine-type or instant photographs are not acceptable)
A valid relative visa for temporary sojourn at the time of application in respect of each applicant joining parents, if the application is made in the Republic
Unabridged birth certificate, or extract from birth record for applicant(s)
A deed poll in the case of the applicant who has changed his or her name, surname or sex
Radiological report (not required in respect of children under the age of 12 years or a pregnant woman). The certificate must not be older than six (6) months at the time the applicant submits an application
Medical report for all applicants. The certificate must not be older than six (6) months at the time the applicant submits an application
Yellow fever vaccination certificate if that person travelled or intends travelling from or transit through a yellow fever endemic area: Provided that the certificate shall not be required where that person travelled or intends travelling in direct transit through such area or where an application is made in the Republic
An undertaking by the citizen or the permanent resident he or she is able and willing to assume financial, emotional, medical and physical responsibility
Written consent of both parents where only one of the parents is immigrating
Copy of the Identity document of the parent(s) or legal guardian who is the citizen or permanent resident if applicable
Copy of permanent residence permit if the parent(s) or legal guardian is a permanent resident if applicable
Present yourself for biometrics at the visa facilitation centre

Important Requirements

Document Validity: Medical and radiological reports must not be older than 6 months. Police clearance certificates must not be older than 6 months at the time of submission.

Translation Requirements: All documents issued by the issuing authority of the country of origin shall be original or certified copies and where applicable translated into English, which translation shall be certified as a correct translation by a sworn translator.

SAQA Evaluation: Educational qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for recognition.

VFS Global: Applications are processed through VFS Global offices. Book your appointment online and submit biometrics at the visa facilitation centre. Present yourself for biometrics.

Special Note: Handwritten DHA-947 forms will not be accepted by the Department of Home Affairs. All forms must be completed online.

Marriage Recognition: Islamic marriages entered into within the Republic are not considered for immigration purposes.

Continuous Renewal: Applicants must renew their temporary resident visa whilst awaiting the outcome for permanent residence permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about South African work permit applications and document requirements.

How long does a work permit application take to process?

Processing times vary by visa type: General Work Permits take 8-12 weeks, Critical Skills Visas take 6-10 weeks, and Spousal Visas take 6-8 weeks. Processing times may be longer during peak periods.

Can I apply for a work permit while in South Africa?

Yes, you can apply for certain work permits while in South Africa if you hold a valid temporary visa. However, you must have the appropriate temporary visa that allows you to apply for the specific work permit category.

Do I need to translate my documents?

Yes, all foreign documents must be translated into English by a sworn translator. The translation must be certified as correct and attached to the original document.

What are the payment requirements for work permit applications?

Application fees are required and vary based on the type of permit. If the application fee was paid to VFS bank account or the mission, an original bank payment receipt must be provided. Additional VFS processing fees may apply.

Can my family accompany me on a work permit?

Yes, your spouse and dependent children can apply for accompanying visas. They will need to submit separate applications with supporting documents proving the relationship.

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