About South Africa
Whether your company is sending employees to South Africa or expanding your worldwide footprint—Fragomen is here to help. Our experienced immigration professionals partner with businesses of all sizes to develop immigration strategies that can help you achieve your goals.
South African immigration law provides several options for employers of foreign nationals. Requirements, processing times, employment eligibility, and benefits for accompanying family members vary by visa category.
- The Section 11(2) Visitor Visa allows holders to enter South Africa for holiday or short-term business purposes. Depending on nationality, the visa is issued either on arrival or through a South African consular post before travel. It generally allows a maximum stay of 90 days and may be renewed in South Africa under limited circumstances.
- The Section 11(2) Visitor Visa with authorization to work allows foreign nationals to perform short-term work activities in South Africa for up to 90 days. The host entity must demonstrate the work is urgent and necessary. It may be extended in country for an additional 90 days, but foreign nationals may be issued only one Section 11(2) work visa per calendar year. The Section 11(2) Visitor Visa can also be based on marriage to a South African citizen or permanent resident with authorization to work.
- The Intra-company Transfer (ICT) work visa is suitable for long-term work and is issued for a maximum period of four years. It is used by foreign nationals who continue to work for their home employer and are seconded or assigned to a South African entity, branch, or affiliate.
- The General Work Visa and the Critical Skills Work Visa both require a local contract. To sponsor a foreign worker under the General Work Visa, the employer must conduct a labor market test to confirm that no South African citizens or Permanent Residents have the suitable qualifications to fill the position. The Critical Skills Work Visa requires the foreign national to fall within a critical skill category and be registered with the applicable professional body. Both visa types require an evaluation of qualifications and proof of skills or qualifications. The maximum duration for each visa is five years and may be extended in country.
Fragomen can also consult on citizenship matters and, as permitted within the confines of local law, may be able to offer citizenship assistance.
Fragomen in South Africa is Fragomen Africa (Pty) Ltd., an immigration consultancy.
Firmwide services
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Business Visa Services and Technology
Guidance, support and technology to help you get your business travelers on the ground quickly and compliantly.
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Consular Services
Personalized support to help ease the burden of complex immigration consular processing.
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Corporate Immigration Program Development
World-class corporate immigration services to help you optimize your immigration operations.
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Crisis Management Services
The help you need, when you need it most.
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Digital Nomad Services
Advice and planning for your growing Digital Nomad population.
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Document Services
Proactive planning and on-the-ground support to streamline the immigration document process.
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Employment Verification Services
Modern, streamlined employment verification solutions to increase your compliance and minimize your exposure to risk.
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Government Advisory Services
Strategic and tailored consultation to help you achieve your business goals.
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Immigration Analytics, Benchmarking and Knowledge
Robust resources to help you understand immigration in a changing world.
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Immigration Compliance Services
Experienced guidance to help manage your most complicated immigration activities and maximize your compliance.
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Immigration Enforcement Defense Services
Enforcement defense and internal investigations assistance to help defend your business against immigration noncompliance.
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Immigration Litigation Services
Experienced, skilled immigration litigation to help you resolve complex situations.
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Immigration Technology Solutions
Pragmatic, leading-edge technology solutions that support our clients’ immigration experiences.
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Immigration Training
Unmatched training means better immigration experiences for your employees.
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Immigration Work Permit Services
Comprehensive, end-to-end immigration services and technology to help streamline business immigration.
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Private Client Services
Sound, holistic alternative residency and citizenship solutions to help you seize your opportunities.
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Remobilization Services
Strategic support to help remobilize quickly and prepare for the future of work.
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Remote Work Strategic Services for Employers
As the world moves forward from the pandemic, some companies are calling employees back to the office full-time, while others are implementing or formalizing hybrid work schedules.
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Value-Added Services
A wealth of complimentary benefits to enrich your immigration experience.
