South Africa: Trusted Employer Scheme Pilot Launched, Call for Expression of Interest from Employers
January 24, 2024
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At a Glance
Update January 24, 2024: The first set of companies who have submitted their interest in participating in the program will receive their application outcome between January 19, 2024 and January 26, 2024. The Department of Home Affairs is expected to publish further information regarding the pilot program in the next few months.
- The Department of Home Affairs has published the final regulations for the Trusted Employer Scheme, which will enable eligible employers to utilize immigration processes with reduced administrative requirements and shorter processing times.
- Registered employers, investors, or business entities operating in South Africa may submit their interest in joining the scheme by submitting an Expression of Interest by November 20, 2023.
The situation
The Department of Home Affairs has published the final regulations for the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) and initiated the Expression of Interest (EOI) process for registered employers, investors, and business entities operating in South Africa to express their interest in joining the pilot program.
A closer look
- Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline. Corporate entities operating in South Africa interested in participating in the TES should use the TES Application Form available on the DHA website and submit it to the Chief Directorate: Permits at the DHA Head Office in Pretoria, South Africa via courier; or by email to [email protected] by November 20, 2023.
- Eligibility criteria. Companies interested in joining the TES must score at least 80 points under the following criteria (points revised):
|
CRITERIA |
ALLOCATED POINTS |
EXPLANATION |
|
Pledge |
30 |
Information on pledges made to the annual South African Investment Conference (SAIC) or information on the value of historical investment made in South Africa since 2018 to date. |
|
Employment |
25 |
Total number of employees within South Africans and citizens employed as part of the permanent staff complement. |
|
Sector
|
15 |
Details of operations or investment in sectors identified as priority sectors by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC). |
|
Skills transfer |
20 |
Information in existing skills transfer programme or graduate development programme of South African citizens or permanent residents.
|
|
Equity equivalence |
10 |
Contribution in lieu of direct sale of equity ownership element of Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) initiative made by multinational companies with a current B-BBEE rating. |
Impact
Companies participating in the TES will benefit from streamlined work visa processing, reduced administrative requirements and a designated key account manager for the company.
Background
The TES was initially proposed in the 2017 White Paper on International Migration in South Africa, and 'Operation Vulindlela Report on Work Visa Review' was established as a new initiative through which the South African government seeks to ensure that its immigration system is able to help the country to attract and retain talent to bolster economic growth.
Looking ahead
After the DHA has conducted a thorough review of the pilot program for the first 100 companies accepted into the pilot program, a subsequent 100-day review phase will be initiated to allow more companies to apply.
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].
