South Africa: Critical Skills List Updated

• Occupations added. Occupations that were added to the critical skills list are mainly in the business, economics and management sectors, including: corporate treasurer, tax specialist, internal auditor, supply and distribution manager, director (large- and medium-sized entities), policy planning manager, forensic accountant, market research analyst, investment manager, investment analyst and business development officer, among others.
• Occupations removed.  Occupations that were removed from the critical skills list include: health professions and those in related clinical sciences, academics and researchers, some engineering professions, professions in health and sciences, architecture, construction and professions in life and earth sciences.
• Occupations carried over to new list. Professions in the engineering field, including agricultural and aeronautical engineers were retained on the new list.
• Adjudication. CSWV applications received through January 31, 2022 will be adjudicated based on the professions listed in the 2014 critical skills list. This includes foreign nationals who had already made an appointment to file their CSWV application at the Visa Facilitation Center or at any South African consulate before this date, even if the appointment is after January 31, 2022. Applications received after January 31, 2022 and foreign nationals who made appointments to file their CSWV applications after this date will have their applications adjudicated based on the new critical skills list.
• Validity of CSWV. CSWVs with a validity of 12 months will no longer be issued. Instead, CSWVs will only be issued with a validity of up to five years.
• New requirements. Every CSWV application must contain an employment offer, and applicants with experience post-qualification (considered to be relevant experience after obtaining academic qualification) must have their credentials verified by a third-party company. Previously, this was not required.
• Permanent residence. Foreign nationals who obtain CSWVs will continue to be eligible for apply for permanent residence but they must provide proof of five years of post-qualification experience by a third party company.

Foreign nationals applying for a Critical Skills visa should ensure that they are applying for an occupation on the new skills list and have the required academic qualifications as the Department of Homeland Affairs will no longer accept applications based on 2014 list requirements.

Employers will find that the updated critical skills list is better tailored to fill the skill gaps in the local labor market.

• Purpose. The critical skills list is aimed at attracting and retaining foreign nationals with identified skills not available in the local population and ensuring that employers are able to fulfill their employment needs to remain globally competitive. 

• Last update. The critical skills list was last updated in 2014.

The critical skills list is expected to be updated more regularly than it has been in the past to better align with local economic needs.