Work Visa Options for Immigrants to South Africa

June 11, 2012 - PRLog -- The unemployment rate in South Africa is at an unacceptable level of around 25%. So of course immigration rules and regulations should provide the utmost protection to South Africans. Ensuring that wherever possible employers are recruiting local candidates over those from abroad.

That, however is only part of the story. It is equally vital that the immigration rules attract foreigners.

South Africa has a skill shortage issue in many professions. There is a need to be able to recruit from abroad to fill these roles. If not, companies will be uncompetitive and not expand. In some cases not even maintaining their performance. This leads to loss of jobs and no job creation.

The Department of Home Affairs must play their role in facilitating this. For this very reason various Visa schemes are developed.
South Africa offers some different routes for employers and employees in terms of obtaining applicable work visas.

The corporate permit is an application made by an employer. It is applicable when the employer knows that it will have a large number of vacancies that cannot be filled by South Africans. In addition for companies expanding their operations into South Africa intra company transfers are available.
Individuals currently have three options that may be appropriate.

The Exceptional skills permit for when an individual has a skill, qualification or experience of an exceptional nature.
A Quota work permit where an individuals occupation appears on the South African published quota list (a skill shortage list as published by government).
A General workers permit where an individual does not qualify for an exceptional skill or quota work permit.

Protectionism of jobs for South Africans is of paramount importance. But not at the expense of the wider picture. Competing on a global scale, flexible recruiting practices and meeting skill shortages.

For more information on immigration and relocation to South Africa, visit http://www.intergate-immigration.com/ today.