The Critical Skills Visa South Africa is for skilled workers whose occupation is on the Critical Skills Visa List for South Africa. This list reflects the occupations that are in demand in South Africa.

The newly published "Skills or qualifications determined to be critical for the Republic of South Africa in relation to an application for a Critical Skills Visa or Permanent Residence Visa"

This category of work visa may be issued to an applicant who falls within a specific professional category or specific occupational class determined by the Minister by notice in the Government Gazette. This is done after consultation with the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Trade and Industry.

If an applicant falls within one of the professional categories listed on the critical skills list and also has the appropriate post qualification working experience in that profession then such applicant may qualify to apply for this category of work Visa.

The applicant also needs to where applicable register with the relevant South African professional accreditation body regulating that industry as stipulated by Minister of Home Affairs. Such body must also confirm the applicant’s skills, qualifications and working experience.

Furthermore, such applicant’s qualifications need to be evaluated relevant to a South African level. An applicant for a Critical Skills Visa may enter South Africa on such visa without having secured a job offer first. It is, however, required of the applicant to confirm employment with the Department of Home Affairs within a period of one (1) year upon arrival in South Africa, failing which, the Visa would automatically lapse.

The Critical Skills Work Visa is tied to an individual and not to an employer so under this Visa a person can leave from one employer to the next without obtaining a new work Visa.
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The short answer
Yes, a sibling DNA test can indeed establish whether half-siblings share a biological father.

The whole question
Can I use a DNA test with my half-sisters to prove that I am my late South African father’s daughter so that I can apply for citizenship? If so. how would I go about it? Can you recommend third parties that could assist with the process?

The long answer
A sibling DNA test can indeed establish whether half-siblings share either a biological mother or father. In your case, the DNA tests can show whether there is a shared biological father.

The firms that offer DNA testing make a distinction between testing for your own peace of mind and legal testing.
An article on DNA test prices by Money Today says that DNA testing for legal purposes costs about R4,700. Importantly, they also say that “They are usually done using a chain of custody in conjunction with the department or agency that requires the tests to be done. Failure to meet this requirement may make the test inadmissible to the department or agency.”
Legal DNA Testing says that the chain of custody “… is simply put, a sample collection procedure that must follow certain steps. The procedure will ensure the integrity of the results, that no mistakes are made in the sample collection and that the results reflect the true relationship between alleged father and child.”

So, whatever company you ended up using would have to meet the DHA’s chain of custody requirements, and it is something you would need to make sure about with the company from the start.
Home Affairs says that you should visit their offices
If you run into difficulties with Home Affairs, you could consult one of the following organisations that have a lot of experience in dealing with Home Affair
How can we help you , please email us to info@samigration.com or whatsapp message me on: +27 82 373 8415, where are you now? check our website : www.samigration.com

General Work Visa

Under the General Work Visa there are very strict requirements. The South African government, although trying to promote work and trade in South Africa, recognize the need to give South Africans the chance to obtain employment ahead of any foreigner.

You will have to prove that you are the only person who can fill that position and that no other South African can play that role. This is done by placing an advert in a national newspaper advertising the position.

A Department of Labour report would need to be obtained.

You will also need to have a job offer/contract from your future employer.

The most important part of the process is skills assessment by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) in SA which evaluates your formal qualifications and compares them to a SA qualification. This process is mandatory and for this we would need your academic transcripts and award diplomas. Note under the regulations provision is made for the recognition of work experience in the absence of formal qualifications and this therefore makes provision recognition of prior work experience (RPL).

This is a paper based system which merely compares the foreign qualifications and arrives at an equivalent qualification in SA, and if qualified in SA then no SAQA needed.

Next your employer has to prove that you are the only person that can fill the position and no other South African can fill that role. This is done by placing an advert in a national newspaper advertising the position.

Please note the work Visa is issued in the name of the employer so the person is tied to the employer. If they change the job they will require a new work Visa.

There is some good news for people who are qualified through work experience only and they can qualify if they don’t require formal qualifications, ie SAQA.

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How can we help you?
Please email us to info@samigration.com
Whatsapp message us on: +27 82 373 8415

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HARARE- Zimbabwe has launched a new online visa application system aimed at streamlining immigration procedures and enhancing the country’s appeal to international visitors and investors. The platform, which is part of the broader Online Border Management System (OBMS), allows travellers from visa-required countries to apply for entry electronically—marking a significant shift from the previous paper-based system.

The OBMS, first rolled out in 2024, now includes e-visas, e-permits, and digital travel clearances. These developments form part of the government’s wider digital transformation drive to modernise public services, improve administrative efficiency, and strengthen border security.

Chief Immigration Officer Respect Gono said the new system will make the application process faster, more convenient, and less costly.
“Previously, applicants had to physically visit embassies or consular offices, or send documents by post. Now they can apply from anywhere, at any time,” she told state media. “The major highlights of the OBMS are the e-visas, e-gates, and e-permits.”

The e-visa facility is now fully operational, and citizens of countries requiring prior approval to enter Zimbabwe can access the service via the official immigration website. The platform also allows applicants to track the progress of their applications in real time.

In addition to short-term tourist and business visas, Zimbabwe has expanded the system to support applications for long-term stays. These include residence permits, employment permits, and investment-related authorisations. Gono confirmed that several modules, such as those for temporary employment and investor residence, are already functioning, while others are under development.

The digitisation of immigration services is expected to bring wide-ranging benefits—not only for applicants, but also for government agencies and private sector stakeholders.

“By cutting down processing times and reducing paperwork, the OBMS improves efficiency across the board. It also enhances transparency and allows for better monitoring of border traffic,” Gono added.
Tourism operators and business leaders have welcomed the new system, describing it as a timely and necessary reform that positions Zimbabwe as a more accessible and modern destination.

“We are confident this will have a positive impact on tourism and foreign investment,” said one stakeholder. “Making it easier to visit or invest in Zimbabwe is a crucial step toward boosting economic growth.”
The Zimbabwean government has stated its commitment to continuing the rollout of digital services across sectors, with immigration viewed as a key priority for both national security and economic development.

Sometimes things don’t work out as we planned and often the foreign employee does not feel happy at his employer or maybe they just not suited for the company. Many times they often resign to join a new company or move back to their country of residence.

In times like this, we are often completely clueless about what we need to do once the employee has left the business.
Today, we discuss the steps you need to take when an employee has left the business.

How to cancel a work visa in South Africa?
• How to cancel a work visa in South Africa?
• Why should you inform the Department of Home Affairs once the employee has left?
• Can an employee work for another company with the same work visa?
• What is the correct procedure to follow when an employee joins a new business?
• How can I notify DHA if they are working at the new company illegally?
• The ex-employee has permanent residence status and work for the new business?
• Making use of an immigration practitioner?

The following documentation must be emailed to the Department of Home Affairs:
• Certified copy of the first page of the foreigner’s passport
• Certified copy of the temporary residence visa in the foreigner’s passport indicating the purpose for which the visa was issued
• Letter from the foreigner’s employer/learning institution that the foreigner has left their employment/learning institution
• South African Foreign Offices – to refund repatriation deposits – a copy of the departure stamp in the foreigner’s passport confirming the departure of the person

The documentation must be emailed to the following email address:
• visacompliance@dha.gov.za
NB!! remember that documents should be smaller than 4 megabytes or the email server at the Department of Home Affairs will reject them. A potential workaround is emailing all the documents separately.
Everything is done online and no need to visit an actual DHA office, so this eliminates the need to stand in a queue. The application process is quick via email.

An important aspect to remember is that you need to send all other proof of documents to any accompanying dependents tied to the employee’s visa like a spouse or children. The same documents must be sent to DHA.
It is important to remember that a dependent spouse may not work in South Africa. If you need more information you can read our blog post called Accompanying spouse work visa South Africa can give you the information you need.

Why should you inform the Department of Home Affairs once the employee has left?
When an applicant applies for one of the following temporary residence visa / visas:
1. Critical Skills Visa
2. Corporate Workers Visa
3. Intra Company Transfer Visa
4. General Work Visa

If you are thinking of applying for a work visa, contact us and ask “How much does a work visa cost in South Africa”
The employer submits four undertaking letters taking on the responsibility for the following:
• A written undertaking 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.
• A written undertaking by the employer to ensure that the passport of his or her employee is valid at all times for the duration of his or her employment.
• An undertaking by the employer to inform the Director-General; should the applicant not comply with the provisions of the Act, or conditions of the visa.
• An undertaking by the employer to inform the Director-General upon the employee no longer being in the employ of such employer or when he or she is employed in a different capacity or role.

So means that the employer must notify the Department of Home Affairs when the employee is in contravention of the abovementioned. Failing to notify DHA could lead to consequences for the company in question.

Can an employee work for another company with the same work visa?
No, the employee is not allowed to work for another company with the same work visa. The Department of Home Affairs endorses the employer’s company name on the visa. It is illegal to work for another company and the new employer will be fined or face imprisonment for doing so.
If you need more information about the consequences of working without a work visa in South Africa. An employee might have a fake work visa and it is important for the new employee how to spot a fake work visa in South Africa.

What is the correct procedure to follow when an employee joins a new business?
• Firstly the ex-employer must notify the Department of Home Affairs that the employee is no longer employed by them.
• The foreign national might have to leave the country and reapply for a new work visa depending on whether their visa is still valid.
• The employee together with the new employer must compile an application for a new work visa and apply through VFS or submit it at the nearest SA embassy or consulate in the country of residence.
• Once they have successfully received their work visa, then only may they work for the company.

How can I notify DHA if they are working at the new company illegally?
If you have proof that your ex-employee is currently working for the new company illegally then you can inform DHA that they are currently working for them:You can email or call the inspectorate of Home Affairs:
DHA is currently cracking down on illegal businesses that are employing illegal foreigners.
The ex-employee has permanent residence status and work for the new business?
Unfortunately, in this instance, there is nothing that you could do to the employee. When an application for permanent residency has been successful, the employee is allowed to work for any business in South Africa.

Permanent residence does not tie an employee to an employer and therefore they have the freedom to work for any South African employer as they wish.

Making use of an immigration practitioner?
Making use of the services of an immigration practitioner can be useful to your business. In an instance like this, your immigration practitioner can prepare the application to notify the Department of Home Affairs that the applicant is no longer in your employ.

How can we help you , please email us to info@samigration.com or whatsapp message me on: +27 82 373 8415, where are you now? check our website : www.samigration.com