Leaked Critical Skills List May Reduce Work Permit Options for Foreign Nationals
March 7, 2019

The situation
A document containing a shorter list of available categories within the South African Critical Skills Visa application has leaked. The document is labelled as a draft and is suspected to be the new critical skills list that is planned for April 2019. The Department of Home Affairs has yet to confirm whether the leaked list is official or a final version of the new critical skills list.
A closer look
The critical skills list has been under review since the Minister of Home Affairs announced plans to overhaul the visa process in South Africa. One of the key elements in the plan is to review and update the Critical Skills List to align it with the current employment market. The leaked document contains a much shorter list of critical skills, with key categories such as the General Corporate Manager, Business Analyst and a number of information technology fields removed.
Impact for employers
Should the draft Critical Skills List be implemented, employers will need to hire local workers to fill positions where foreign nationals may have been used previously. Fragomen recommends that employers contact an immigration consultant to determine the best course of action on a case-by-case basis.
Impact for foreign nationals
Foreign nationals will be eligible for fewer critical skills positions than before, should the list be implemented. Foreign nationals should contact an immigration consultant to determine the best course of action if the new list is confirmed.
Background
- The critical skills list has not been reviewed or updated since 2014. The Department of Home Affairs announced intent to review the list as part of the plans to overhaul the South African visa process in 2018.
- While this list is unconfirmed, it is believed that a new list will be implemented in April 2019.
Looking ahead
The proposed changes follow the Department of Home Affairs’ intentions to protect and advance the local labour market. Fragomen anticipates that a new list will be implemented either in April 2019 or after elections in May 2019 and will report on relevant developments.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post
Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Media mentions
Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Fragomen news
Fragomen supported this report, which explores how gender shapes migration patterns, visa routes, employment and settlement in the UK.

Blog post
Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek or Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala discuss proposed changes to Poland’s citizenship law aimed at simplifying eligibility and clarifying naturalisation procedures for foreign nationals.

Video
Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Blog post
Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Video
O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Media mentions
Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Blog post
Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Media mentions
Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Fragomen news
Fragomen supported this report, which explores how gender shapes migration patterns, visa routes, employment and settlement in the UK.

Blog post
Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek or Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala discuss proposed changes to Poland’s citizenship law aimed at simplifying eligibility and clarifying naturalisation procedures for foreign nationals.

Video
Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Blog post
Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Video
O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Media mentions
Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.