About applying for general work permit

If you do not qualify for a quota work permit, you may apply for a general work permit.

What you should do

• Go to your nearest Home Affairs office or South African representative if you are applying from abroad.
• Complete form BI-1738.
• Submit the following:
• passport valid for at least 30 days after expiry of visit to South Africa
• a vaccination certificate, if required
• a medical report and radiological report 
• cash deposit of equivalent value of your return ticket to your country of origin or residence
• proof of financial means in the form of:
• bank statements
• cash available, or travellers’ cheques to cover living expenses until you receive a salary
• a valid temporary residence permit, if applicable
• a police clearance from all countries you lived in since the age of 18 for 12 months or longer
• contract of employment signed by  you and  your employer
• provide proof of the qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). If your qualifications are not in English, you must have them translated by a sworn translator 
• proof of experience and skills in line with the job
• your employer should submit:
• certificate by Department of Labour or extract from the database of a benchmarking organisation stipulating the salary earned by  employees occupying similar positions in  South Africa
• original advertisement in the national printed media, which must comply with regulation :
• reflect  the full particulars of the relevant newspaper or magazine and the date on which the advertisement was published
• stipulates the minimum qualifications and experience required to fill the position
• clearly define the position and duties to be performed
• state the closing date, the applications may not be older than 3 months at the time of application for work permit 
• proof that all short-listed candidates have been interviewed in terms of regulation 
• a letter of motivation accompanied by documentation of proof of efforts made to obtain the services of a citizen/residence 
• undertaking to register with the professional body, board or council in  South Africa, where applicable
• letter of registration, where required by a law, from the relevant professional body/board/council
• full particulars of employer and proof of registration with the Registrar of Companies.
  

Timeframe

It may take six months to finalise the application.

How much does it cost

 R 1 520

Forms to complete

Who to contact