General Work Visa
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 8-12 weeks
- Fee
- ZAR 1,520 (approx. $86 USD) non-refundable application fee
- Validity
- Up to 2 years, renewable
- Entry
- Single entry
The General Work Visa is for applicants with a confirmed job offer in roles not on the Critical Skills List. Must score at least 100 points under a points-based system including educational qualifications, salary level, years of experience, language skills, and employer status. Processing typically takes 4-12 weeks.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Available to all nationalities
-
Employment
Must have a confirmed job offer from a South African employer. Employer must demonstrate efforts to recruit locally
Required status: Confirmed job offer
-
Financial
Must score at least 100 points. Points awarded for salary (above ZAR 650,976/year), education, experience, language skills, and employer status
Minimum funds: ZAR 650,976/year recommended
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 1
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Recent passport-size photographs
-
Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Payment at VFS Global or embassy; Amount: ZAR 1,520 non-refundable
-
Medical fitness
Provide a medical fitness certificate if the destination requires one for this route.
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Obtain job offer letter. Gather passport, photos, educational certificates, employment contract, proof of salary, medical reports (under 6 months), police clearance (if 18+)
-
Document submission
Submit application to South African embassy/consulate with all documents
-
Fee payment
Pay non-refundable application fee of ZAR 1,520
-
Processing wait
Wait 8-12 weeks for processing
-
Visa collection
Collect General Work Visa valid up to 2 years