Streamlined Short-Term Work Authorization Process
May 16, 2014
Country / Territory
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Employers are no longer required to submit applications for short-term work authorization, known as Section 11(2) visas, to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa (DHA). These applications are now processed by South Africa’s consular posts and will be adjudicated alongside foreign nationals’ visa applications.
Section 11(2) Visas are valid for work for up to 90 days and cannot be renewed.
Visa Nationals |
Previous Procedure |
New Procedure |
|
Step 1 |
Application to the DHA Head Office in Pretoria for authorization to work in South Africa |
Application to South African consular post for authorization to work and visa for travel |
|
Step 2 |
Application to South African consular post for visa |
Foreign national travels to South Africa with work authorization visa endorsed in passport prior to entering South Africa |
|
Step 3 |
Foreign National travels to South Africa with work authorization visa endorsed in passport prior to entering South Africa |
|
Visa-Exempt Nationals |
Previous Procedure |
New Procedure |
|
Step 1 |
Application to the DHA Head Office in Pretoria for authorization to work in South Africa |
Application to South African consular post for authorization to work in South Africa |
|
Step 2 |
Foreign national travels to South Africa and receives work authorization endorsement upon entry |
Foreign national travels to South Africa and receives work authorization endorsement upon entry |
What This Means for Employers
This change streamlines the Section 11(2) visa application process by removing a step, which should reduce processing times overall. However, processing times and consistency in decision-making will likely vary across different consular posts.
The change also indicates that the DHA is showing an interest in immigration service delivery and client satisfaction.
How Fragomen Can Assist
Fragomen will continue to assist clients with preparing and filing Section 11(2) visa applications under the new process.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
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