Working in South Africa
How the main work visa routes work for telecoms engineers, what to gather before you apply and what to ask the agency.
Critical Skills Work Visa
For engineers whose occupation is on the Department of Home Affairs critical skills list. You need your qualifications evaluated by SAQA and, usually, proof that you have applied to the matching professional body.
General Work Visa
For a specific job offer. The employer shows it could not find a suitable South African candidate, and the Department of Employment and Labour confirms it before you apply.
Intra-company Transfer Work Visa
For staff of a multinational who move to its South African branch. It is tied to that employer and lasts up to four years.
How the process usually runs
- 1An agency puts you forward and the employer makes you an offer.
- 2You gather your documents, starting with the ones that take longest, such as police clearance and the SAQA evaluation.
- 3The agency and the employer prepare the employer side of the application.
- 4You lodge the application at the South African mission or its visa centre in the country where you live.
- 5Home Affairs decides. Processing times vary, so ask the agency for the current estimate before you resign or book travel.
Documents to start gathering
- A passport valid for at least 30 days after your intended stay, with two blank pages.
- Your qualifications, evaluated by SAQA, the South African Qualifications Authority.
- Police clearance from every country you have lived in for a year or more since you turned 18.
- Medical and radiology reports, no older than six months.
- The signed offer or contract of employment.
- Your CV and proof of experience, such as reference letters.
Questions to ask the agency
- Which visa route will this vacancy use, and who pays the fees?
- Is relocation help included, such as flights, temporary housing or shipping?
- Can my partner and children come with me, and on which visa?
- What happens to the offer if the visa is delayed or refused?
What does the work pay?
Monthly salary bands by discipline, province and seniority, from the vacancies agencies post here.
See salary insightsReady to apply?
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How the main work visa routes work for telecoms engineers, what to gather before you apply and what to ask the agency.
Visa routes
How the process usually runs
- 1. An agency puts you forward and the employer makes you an offer.
- 2. You gather your documents, starting with the ones that take longest, such as police clearance and the SAQA evaluation.
- 3. The agency and the employer prepare the employer side of the application.
- 4. You lodge the application at the South African mission or its visa centre in the country where you live.
- 5. Home Affairs decides. Processing times vary, so ask the agency for the current estimate before you resign or book travel.
Documents to start gathering
- A passport valid for at least 30 days after your intended stay, with two blank pages.
- Your qualifications, evaluated by SAQA, the South African Qualifications Authority.
- Police clearance from every country you have lived in for a year or more since you turned 18.
- Medical and radiology reports, no older than six months.
- The signed offer or contract of employment.
- Your CV and proof of experience, such as reference letters.
Questions to ask the agency
- Which visa route will this vacancy use, and who pays the fees?
- Is relocation help included, such as flights, temporary housing or shipping?
- Can my partner and children come with me, and on which visa?
- What happens to the offer if the visa is delayed or refused?
Request assistance
Ask about your visa or your move. We send it to the agency handling your application, or to Talent Linked support if there is none.