If you have been offered employment in South Africa, and do not qualify for a Critical Skills Visa you may apply for a General Work Visa. In October 2024, the Minister introduced a new Points Based System for transparent adjudication of General Work Visa applications.
In order to qualify, you will need to score a minimum of 100 points on the Points Based System below:
| Criteria | Points (%) | Points (%) | ||
| Occupation: | Occupation on critical skills list | 100 | ||
| Qualifications: | NQF levels 9 and 10 | 50 | NQF levels 7 and 8 | 30 |
| Offer of Employment (Mandatory) | Above ZAR 976,194 gross per annum | 50 | Between ZAR 650,976 and ZAR 976,194 gross per annum | 20 |
| Work Experience: | 10+ years | 30 | 5 – 10 years | 20 |
| Employment status: | Offer from Trusted Employer (TES) | 30 | ||
| Language skills: | Proficient in at least one official language | 10 |
A certificate from the Department of Employment and Labour is no longer required for the General Work visa, adjudicated in terms of the new Points Based System.
The Points Based System does not apply to ZEP holders. Applicants for General Work visas can now apply for an initial 12-month work visa with proof of an application submitted to SAQA, where SAQA evaluation is still pending.
A General Work Visa is valid for a maximum period of five years and can be renewed within South Africa.