General Work Permit

A general work permit is issued to a foreigner who will take up employment in SA. The permits are granted for the duration of the contract of employment. In the case of a permanent offer of employment the permit may be issued for a period of five (5) years and upon application, the permit may be renewed for a further period of five (5) years, provided that the applicant submits proof of of the initial contract of employment, as well as confirmation that he or she is still employed under the initial terms and conditions as stipulated in the contract.

The permit shall lapse within 6(six) months of its issuance, and within every year thereafter, if the holder fails to submit satisfactory proof that he/she is still employed, in terms and conditions of his/her employment (including the job description).

• BI-1738 application form;
• One photograph (35 mm x 45 mm);
• Original passport and a copy of the data pages of the passport;
• Prescribed fee;
• BI-811 medical certificate & BI-806 radiological report;
• Full birth certificate;
• Marriage certificate, where applicable;
• The affidavit where a spousal relationship to a South African citizen or resident, where applicable;
• Proof of union recognized in terms of the Recognition of Customary Marriage, where applicable;
• Divorce decree, where applicable;
• Proof of court order awarding custody, where applicable;
• Death certificate, iro late spouse, where applicable;
• Written consent from both parents, where applicable;
• Proof of legal adoption, where applicable;
• Legal separation order, where applicable;
• Police clearance certificate
• A vaccination certificate;
  (A Yellow Fever Certificate is required from travellers entering from or passing through the Yellow Fever area. Travellers flying directly from Korea do not require a yellow fever vaccination certificate.)
• A letter of motivation from the employer why a citizen/resident could not fill the position, accompanied by documentary proof of efforts made to obtain the services of a citizen or resident;
• Pariculars of unsuccessful candidates;
• Proof of qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority and translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of South Africa;
• If required by law, proof of registration with the professional body or board;
• Proof of experience and skills in line with the job offer;
• A certificate from the Department of Labour or an extract from the database of a salary benchmarking organization stipulating the average salary earned by employees occupying similar positions in SA;
• A contract of employment stipulating the conditions of employment and signed by both the employer and the applicant;
• An undertaking by the employer to inform the Director-General should the applicant not comply with the Act or leave the employer (separate letter with a company letterhead);
• Full particular of the employer, including, if applicable, proof of registration of the business with the Registrar of Companies;
• Proof of publication of an advertisement in the national printed media:
  (a) reflect the full particulars of the relevant newspaper or magazine, as well as the dates on which the advertisement was published;
  (b) stipulate the minimum qualifications and experience required to fill the position
  (c) clearly define the position offered and the duties to be performed
  (d) measures at least 60 millimetres by 60 millimeteres
  (e) state the closing date for the application in the advertisement
  (f) not older than three months at the time of application, which period shall be calculated from the closing date for applications.
• Proof of a valid return air ticket, cash deposit or a written undertaking(on a separate letter) by the employer accepting responsibility for the costs related to the deportation of the applicant and his or her dependent family members, should it become necessary.
  (You are advised not to purchase an air ticket before approval of your visa or permit as a delay or refusal of your application would result in financial loss. THE EMBASSY CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH LOSSES. Applicants travelling by air must be in possession of a confirmation of reservation when applying . Upon receipt of the visa, applicants are required to show the proof of a return or onward ticket.)

• Ten (10) working days