General Work Permit requirements

In terms Section 19 (2) & Regulation 16(4), of the South Africa Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No.13 of 2002), as amended by the Immigration Amendment Act, 2004 (Act No. 19 of 2004), persons who intend to be employed in South Africa are required to obtain a General Work permit.

Please note: Provisional Airline bookings may be made for the proposed departure date, however, the Mission advised that payments should NOT be made in the event of an unsuccessful application. The processing time for work permit applications is approximately ten (10) working days from receipt if application is all in order.

In order to obtain the required permit, the following documentation is required:

From the applicant:

1. Duly completed application form signed by the applicant - Form BI-1738
2. One (1) photograph of applicant and all accompanying family members/partner
3. Passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit
4. A vaccination certificate if applicant travelled through the yellow fever belt of Africa and South America
5. Proof of financial means in the form of:
   • bank statements
   • cash available, or travellers' cheques (to cover envisaged living expenses until the applicant receives a salary)
6. Medical and radiological reports. Radiology reports not necessary for pregnant women and children 12 years and below
7. Police clearance certificate(s) in respect of all applicants 18 years or older, in respect of countries where person(s) resided one (1) year or longer
8. A certified copy of your Marriage certificate or completed affidavit in the case of life partners (if spouse/partner traveling with applicant)
9. Certified copy of unabridged birth certificates of minor dependant children (if traveling with applicant)
10. Divorce decree (if applicable)
11. Proof of legal separation (if applicable)
12. Proof of custody/adoption/guardianship (if applicable)
13. Consent from parent(s) (if applicable)
14. Death certificate in the case of spouse (if applicable)
15. Contract of employment signed by both applicant and employer, stipulating conditions of employment
16. Original proof of qualifications and evaluation thereof by the South African Qualifications Authority
17. Translation into English of all documentation by a sworn translator (proof of registration of translator)
18. Certification by the South African Department of Labour or extract from the database of a benchmarking organisation stipulating the salary earned by employees occupying similar positions in the RSA
19. Submission of the original advertisement that appeared in the national printed media, which must comply with Regulation 16(5)
20. Proof that all short-listed candidates for the advertised post have been interviewed in terms of Regulation 16(4)(d)
21. Undertaking to register with the professional body, board or council in the RSA (where applicable)
22. Letter of registration, where required by a law, from the relevant professional body/board/council
23. Full particulars of the employer and proof of registration with the Registrar of Companies
24. Fees: Principal Applicant 300.00 AUD; Accompanying immediate family members
    85.00 AUD each.

Please note: A Repatriation Guarantee deposit of 1,500.00 AUD MAY be required to be lodged at this Mission for all applicants, when your work permit has been approved. A receipt will be issued to you by this Mission which must be kept in order for the money to be refunded upon your return or when permanent residence status is granted (in cases where the applicant applies to reside permanently in South Africa and permission is granted).

Religious Workers or persons to be employed by Government Departments, Universities or Colleges are exempt from this deposit.

Return Postage:

• For applications originating from within Australia - a Self-addressed Express or Registered Post Envelope (only one envelope per family) OR a Postal Money Order or Bank Cheque made payable to the South African High Commission.
• For applications originating from outside Australia a Bank Draft for the amount of
  10.00 AUD made payable to the South African High Commission. (Fee covers
  whole family / group)

Personal cheques or credit cards are NOT accepted.

Processing time is ten (10) working days from receipt of application if application is complete.

Postal Address:

South African High Commission
State Circle
Yarralumla
ACT
2600

For further information, please contact this Mission between 08:30 and 13:00 Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), Monday to Friday.

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