You might have obtained your work visa recently and second-guessing whether your visa is valid or not, this is a tricky situation to be in. There are many people out there who pretend to be immigration consultants or immigration lawyers only to scam you and issue you with a fake visa. The worst is being arrested or being detained in South Africa for something that you are not responsible and the Department of Home Affairs is coming down hard on these individuals.

Many who don’t qualify for the critical skills are always looking at applying for the general work visa for South Africa and thus one of the most popular options to forge it because of how difficult it is to obtain it. While this could be true many temporary residence visas are forged throughout South Africa. How to apply for a General Work Visa in South Africa or apply for a work visa South Africa the right way.

Beware of people who guarantee you a visa, as no one in this industry can do that, not even the most experienced immigration consultant or immigration lawyer. There has been news of many immigration consultants who have promised people a visa and blackmailed immigration officials to approve these cases. Be careful of which services you make use of and always apply due diligence. The South African Department of Home Affairs will hold you accountable for any forged documents.

If you are considering applying for temporary visas then you need to ensure that you are making use of professional services. If you wondering how much does a work visa cost in South Africa. We created a blog post in detail about the cost.

To avoid getting a fake work visa, using reputable immigration agents South Africa will assist in getting a valid visa for you.

Many foreigners are working without a work visa in South Africa.

We have created a handy guide for you to read and to keep close, we would advise that you bookmark this blog post so that you can always reference it back and forth when you need the information.

Is my work visa fake?

Table of Contents

• Is my work visa fake?

o How do I know if my work visa is real?

• How do I check if my work visa is valid?

o You can use the following methods to verify:

o I would recommend keeping the following proof:

o Which visas can be obtained fraudulently?

• So when can you be arrested in SA?

• What to do if you are arrested with a fraudulent visa?

So currently there are two ways that a work visa can be forged and it’s important to understand the differences. Once you understand the different methods of fraudulent ways then you have a starting point to investigate from.

1. A work visa can be forged to look like a real visa, but this has not been printed and entered into the Department of Home Affairs system. So there is no record that it has been issued and details of your particulars.

 

2. Another way of obtaining a “visa” is through a corrupt Home Affairs official who you pay to illegally issue you a visa. The visa is entered onto DHA’s systems but your application has not been screened against the requirements.

How do I know if my work visa is real?

If you made use of an agency or person to get your visa and are worried if its a fraudulent visa then there are certain things you can look at with regards to the visas:

• The words used on the visa would differ from the standard wording on a legally obtained visa.

• There will be colour variations between a fraudulent and legally obtained visa.

• The fonts would be different.

• Your particulars would not be stored or listed on the Department of Home Affairs systems.

• Extremely high fees to get the visa.

Furthermore, there are more important things you can take into consideration if your visa is fraudulent:

• If the person representing you has not requested you to submit your application through VFS then this is a major red flag. All applicants in South Africa are required to submit their applications through VFS.

• You are not allowed to apply for a change of status in SA meaning that if you are on a visit visa then you cannot apply for a work visa.

• Have yourself assessed with an alternative immigration agency to find out if you qualify

If you are paying a home affairs official to get your visa, then you would be held responsible when caught and can face deportation or imprisonment.

Our advice is that it’s better to go the legal route, even though it might take longer and not as quick as you would like. The immigration agent or lawyer can tell you immediately if you qualify or what you need to do to qualify.

How do I check if my work visa is valid?

There are various ways you can check if your work visa is valid in South Africa but you have to tread carefully as the Department of Home Affairs will hold you accountable for this in which you could be banned, fined or imprisoned. Therefore it is in your best interest to check if the person assisting you has a registered business, registered for tax and VAT.

You can use the following methods to verify:

• Email the verifications department: VisaVerifications.Missions@dha.gov.za

• Call the verifications department: 012 406 – 4432

• Walk into the Department of Home Affairs to find out from an immigration officer.

When making use of a representative to apply on your behalf we recommend that you keep a trail of paperwork and any communication. This is the best way so that you have proof if ever you are arrested and detained, in this way a lawyer can represent you which you would have proof.

Before you apply make sure that you have applied your due diligence to the person representing you. 

You can verify if your family visa South Africa is valid for example.

I would recommend keeping the following proof:

• Email trails

• Record all phone calls

• Keep invoices

• Record all in-person meetings

The more proof you have the better and keep these in a safe place where they are easily accessible should you need them in future.

We recommend that corporate businesses verify an applicants work visa as they can be held accountable for employing a foreign national with fraudulent papers.

Accompanying spouses in South Africa must apply for their own independent work visa as they are not allowed to work whilst on a dependent visa. There is no such thing as a accompanying spouse work visa in South Africa.

Which visas can be obtained fraudulently?

• General Work Visas

• Spouse Visas

• Life Partner Visas

• Study Visas

• Retirement Visas

• Critical Skills Visas

• Corporate Visas

• Intra-company transfer visas

• Relatives visas

• Permanent residence visas

So when can you be arrested in SA?

The South African immigration act mentions the following when you are considered to be in contravention of the act:

• In possession of a fraudulent or fake visa

• Expired visa

• Not adhering to the conditions of your visa.

• Not in possession of a visa

The experience of being arrested in SA is not a good one and therefore always ensure that you are on the right side of the law. You will never be asked to show your papers but immigration officers have the right to request to see them at any given time. Remember that if you are committing a crime in any sense, you will be imprisoned.

The best thing to do is always keep your passport and visa with you wherever you go and have a telephone or mobile number of someone you can call in SA preferably in the same town as you to help you if you are arrested. We would advise that you beforehand give the person a copy of your passport bio page, visa stamps, contact details for a family member back in your country of residence. The last thing I recommend is giving the person the details of your embassy or consulate in SA to assist you.

What to do if you are arrested with a fraudulent visa?

The South African government together with DHA are cracking down on fraudulent visas and when caught you will be locked up immediately. Our advice does not to try and fight the police or officials and don’t be abusive towards them either. You will be taken to the nearest police station and you will be kept separate.

• Call a family member to let them know you’ve been arrested.

• Ask them to hire an attorney

• Instruct your family member on how to get access to your funds should the need arise

• 🚗 Call to Action:

Contact SA Migration today to schedule a free consultation. With 25 years of experience and full compliance with the Department of Home Affairs, Labour, SAPS, and Courts, we’re here to ensure your success.

• 📞 WhatsApp: +27 82 373 8415

📧 Email: info@samigration.com

🌐 Website: www.samigration.com

• Your compliance is our priority—let’s build your future together

o increase your chances of scoring 100 points for the Critical Skills Work Visa in South Africa, you need to maximize your eligibility based on the points system used by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). This system evaluates your profile in areas such as qualifications, work experience, age, and other relevant factors. Here’s how you can improve your points and overall application:

1. Qualifications (Maximizing Points for Education)
• Higher Education: The more advanced your qualifications, the more points you’ll earn. Holding a PhD or Master's Degree in a field related to your critical skill will give you the highest points.
o PhD: Earns the maximum points in the education category.
o Master's Degree: Also scores high but slightly less than a PhD.
o Bachelor's Degree: You still earn points, but less than for a Master's or PhD.

How to Maximize:
• Obtain the highest possible academic qualifications in your critical skill area.
• Have your qualifications evaluated by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) to ensure they meet South African standards.
2. Work Experience (Maximizing Points for Experience)
• Relevant Experience: The more years of relevant work experience in your critical skill area, the more points you will earn.
o 10+ years of experience in a critical skill will get you the maximum points.
o 5 to 10 years of experience will earn fewer points, while less than 5 years will score lower.

How to Maximize:
• Ensure you provide detailed proof of your relevant work experience, including letters from employers, employment contracts, and a CV highlighting your specific critical skills.
• Focus on getting experience in the specific critical skill category that aligns with South Africa’s needs (e.g., ICT, engineering, finance, healthcare).
3. Professional Registration (Boost Your Points with Professional Membership)
• Professional Body Membership: If your critical skill requires registration with a South African professional body, obtaining this membership will significantly boost your points.
o Registration with a professional body is essential for certain sectors like engineering, medical, and legal professions.

How to Maximize:
• Register with the relevant South African professional council or regulatory body (e.g., ECSA for engineers, SAICA for accountants, HPCSA for healthcare professionals).
• Keep your membership active and up to date before applying.
4. Job Offer (Get Points for Securing Employment)
• Having a valid job offer from a South African employer related to your critical skill will give you a higher chance of scoring maximum points.

How to Maximize:
• Secure a job offer from a recognized employer before applying for the visa.
• Ensure the job is directly related to your critical skill, and that the employer can provide detailed documentation.
5. Age (Gain Points for Being in a Preferred Age Range)
• Applicants between the ages of 25 and 40 typically earn the most points. Younger applicants (under 25) and older applicants (over 45) score fewer points.

How to Maximize:
• If you are in the 25 to 40 age bracket, this is a strong point in your favor. If you are younger or older, focus on maximizing points in other categories like qualifications and experience.
6. Language Proficiency
• Being proficient in English (or other official South African languages) may also contribute to a higher score, as it ensures that you can integrate and work effectively in South Africa.
How to Maximize:
• Provide evidence of language proficiency if required, such as passing an internationally recognized English language test (e.g., IELTS) if applicable.
7. Additional Points:
• Contributions to South Africa’s Economy: If your skills directly contribute to the development of South Africa's economy or specific industries (such as ICT, engineering, or healthcare), this will further boost your points.
• Permanent Residency Pathway: Earning 100 points is also a good pathway toward obtaining permanent residency later on if you plan to settle in South Africa.

Conclusion:
To score 100 points for the Critical Skills Work Visa, you should focus on:
• Maximizing your qualifications (higher education and SAQA accreditation).
• Gaining significant work experience (ideally 10+ years in your critical skill).
• Registering with a professional body related to your critical skill.
• Securing a job offer in your critical skill area.
• Applying within the optimal age range (25-40). By strengthening these areas, you’ll increase your chances of scoring highly and successfully obtaining the Critical Skills Work Visa.

Don’t risk your income or future—let SA Migration help you stay legal and live stress free .
• 🚗 Call to Action:
Contact SA Migration today to schedule a free consultation. With 25 years of experience and full compliance with the Department of Home Affairs, Labour, SAPS, and Courts, we’re here to ensure your success.
• 📞 WhatsApp: +27 82 373 8415
📧 Email: info@samigration.com
🌐 Website: www.samigration.com
• Your compliance is our priority—let’s build your future together

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

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The short answer
To be on the safe side, perhaps it would be wise to apply for temporary visas for the family, as well as permanent residence for the whole family, you included.

The whole question
I hold a temporary visa. Can I apply for permanent residence from my home country so that I can apply together with my family? Does my family need to have temporary visas first or can they just apply for permanent residency at the same time as me?

The long answer
In answer to this question: Can my accompanying family apply for permanent residence with me at the same time? samigration . says the following:
“Yes, as long as the applications of the whole family are submitted at the same time then the immediate accompanying family of foreigners applying for permanent residence may apply together. Should the applications not be submitted at the same time, the accompanying family will need to wait for the successful outcome of the main applicant’s permanent residence application to be in a position to apply for permanent residence as his or her immediate family. The foreign spouse of a permanent resident applicant is only eligible to apply for permanent residence having been espoused for at least 5 years.”

As a temporary residence permit has to be renewed online at VFS Global, 60 days before it expires, Sa Migration adds, “In the first instance, it is possible in most cases, for the individual to apply for permanent residency at the same time they apply for temporary residency. The Department of Home Affairs currently has a backlog of permanent residency applications and therefore the processing of these can take anywhere between 12 and 30 months. However, in many cases the permanent residency will be issued before the temporary residency expires, therefore negating the issue of an expired temporary visa.”
As you know, a temporary visa holder can apply for permanent residence after five years of staying in South Africa on the basis of a work permit. It is possible to apply for permanent residency) from outside South Africa as well as within South Africa.

But as Home Affairs says that the permanent residency permit “is also applicable to spouses and dependents of South African citizens/permanent residence permit holders” (my emphasis), it is not clear to me whether the accompanying family must first apply for temporary visas or not. To be on the safe side, perhaps it would be wise to take Intergate Immigration’s tip and apply for temporary visas for the family, as well as permanent residence for the whole family including the main holder of the temporary visa at the same time.

🚗 Call to Action:
Contact SA Migration today to schedule a free consultation. With 25 years of experience and full compliance with the Department of Home Affairs, Labour, SAPS, and Courts, we’re here to ensure your success.
📞 WhatsApp: +27 82 373 8415
📧 Email: info@samigration.com
🌐 Website: www.samigration.com
Your compliance is our priority—let’s build your future together

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

Where are you now?
Check our website : www.samigration.com

Please rate us by clinking on this links :
Sa Migration Visas
https://g.page/SAMigration?gm


Get More Info By Following Our Page: https://www.youtube.com/@samigration

The short answer
You'll need to register your customary marriage
The whole question
My wife and I married in community of property in 2019. We agreed to be in a polygamous marriage, and that I could take a second wife. I already paid lobola for my second wife. What processes do we need to follow in order for her to change her surname to mine once we’re married?
The long answer
All polygamous marriages must be in agreement with the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act of 1998 (RCMA). What that means practically is that you as the husband in an already existing customary marriage must draft a new marriage contract which must be approved by a court before you can marry another wife.
Customary marriage expert, Nthabiseng Monareng, explains that this is because customary marriages are automatically in community of property, and before a husband marries a second wife, the first wife must be given half her share of the marriage assets. This is to make sure that the first wife’s rights are protected and she is not cheated out of what is legally hers.
The court considers the rights of all the parties and may add conditions to make the second marriage valid under the RCMA.
John Manyike, the head of financial education at Old Mutual adds, “It's important to celebrate the customary marriage after lobola negotiations have been concluded. By merely paying or receiving lobola in full without the requisite celebration, the marriage is not concluded in accordance with customary law and is therefore considered invalid. That's why it's important to know the relationship between lobola and a legal marriage.”
According to customary law expert Zama Mopai, “For a customary marriage to be valid, you must first enter into the marriage according to custom, and once that is done then you can proceed to register it.”
A customary marriage should be registered within three months at the Department of Home Affairs. The registering officer at Home Affairs then issues a registration certificate. This is proof that the marriage exists and may avoid disputes in future, although if you don’t register the marriage, the marriage is still valid under the RCMA. However the Deeds Office insists on registration certificates to prove the validity of a customary marriage, so it’s advisable to register the marriage.
Registering the marriage also answers your question about how your second wife can take your surname: Home Affairs has stated that a woman has three options regarding which surname she takes when she gets married:
• She can take her husband’s surname
• She can add her surname to her husband’s (a double-barrel surname)
• She can keep her own surname.
As women married under the RCMA have the same status as women married under the Marriage Act or the Civil Union Act (which do not allow for polygamy), your second wife has the right to take your surname if she chooses and to have that surname recorded on the registration certificate.

The short answer
The answers to your questions are far from clear and we recommend contacting an organisation like Lawyers for Human Rights
The whole question
I am served with papers under section 29 and required to submit written representation within 30 days. Where do I submit the appeal? And to which email address? Will I be required to leave the country or can I wait until I get a decision on the written representation?
My children are three years old and SA citizens.
The long answer
Thank you for your email asking where your appeal against Section 29 must be submitted, and whether you can stay in the country until your appeal is decided.
The most common reasons for which a person can be banned from entering South Africa under Section 29 are that they had been previously deported, or had been found with a fraudulent visa, permit, passport or identity document. You need to submit a written application to the Director-General of Home Affairs (DG) asking that your prohibited status be waived (overturned) and giving reasons for this.
The DG will take into consideration the reasons for the Section 29 papers being issued, the seriousness of the offence, and your personal circumstances – such as having two three year-old children who are South African citizens.
From the Home Affairs website, it was not clear which of the following email addresses was the correct one for appeals, so it’s safer to copy both of them:
The answer to the question of whether you can stay in the country pending the outcome of your appeal is far from clear:
On the one hand, it would seem that under the Refugees Act, you cannot be arrested and deported until you have exhausted the appeal process; but on the other hand, if your visa expires before you get the answer, you may very well be in danger of being arrested. Also, given that Home Affairs is very slow and dysfunctional, you may have to wait a long time