UPDATE on Points-Based Work Visa System
We have recently shared the news of the new points-based system that has been introduced to the South African work visa process. Ten days later, the first changes have already been made, which work in applicants’ favour. Changes are highlighted below:
- Points are allocated as follows:
| Criteria | Points | Points | ||
| Qualifications: | NQF levels 9 and 10 (Masters or PhD) | 50 | NQF levels 7 and 8 (Bachelor / Honours degree / Postgraduate Diploma) | 30 |
| Offer of Employment (mandatory): | Above R976,194 gross per annum | 50 | Between R650,796 and R976,194 gross per annum | 30 (previously 20) |
| Work experience: | 5 – 10 years | 20 | 10+ years | 30 |
| Employment status: | Offer from Trusted Employer | 30 (previously 20) | ||
| Language skills: | Proficient in at least one official language | 10 | ||
Applicants can qualify through a variety of combinations of formal qualifications, salary (about R 55 000+ or R 80 000+ p/m), work experience (5+ or 10+ years), English (or other official) language skills, and/or the prospective employer being registered with Home Affairs under the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES).
Examples meeting the criteria are:
- Masters or Doctoral degree + Monthly salary of R 80 000, no work experience
- Honours or Bachelor’s degree + Monthly salary of R 80 000 + 5 yrs work experience
- Masters or Doctoral degree + Monthly salary of R 55 000 + 10 yrs work experience
- Masters or Doctoral degree + Monthly salary of R 55 000 + 5 yrs work experience + Proficiency in English
- Employed by Trusted Employer under TES + Monthly salary of R 80 000 + 5 yrs work experience
Although a welcome amendment to the Points-Based System, some foreign nationals who could contribute meaningfully to the South African economy remain excluded, e.g. PhD holders with less than 10 years’ experience and a monthly salary of less than R 80 000, or extremely well-paid Managers with decades of specialised experience but no university degree. It is to be hoped that these cases will continue to be considered via individual exemptions.