Summary
The critical skills work visa is issued in accordance with the critical skills list. However, the list does not always match industry requirements.
View DetailsIs it working?
Reports indicate that since 2020, more than 4,900 critical skills work visas have been issued to individuals from over 100 countries - the majority from Zimbabwe and India. However, it's unknown how many have been issued since 2022 when the critical skills list was revised to replace the previous long-standing critical skills list that was published in 2014. The number could change with the introduction of the point-based system this year for applying for the visa. This system introduces a more transparent and structured way for foreign professionals to assess their eligibility. https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/791315/5000-critical-skill-visa-workers-in-south-africa-more-than-half-coming-from-just-two-countries/
Actions
The Department of Home Affairs regularly updates the critical skills list based on industry demand, although the list does not always match demand.
Are there plans?
Forms part of the new visa regime set out in the 2020 Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
Is it on the agenda?
To address the scarcity of critical skills which pose a significant challenge to SA's economic growth. Highly skilled workers are slowly being recruited.
Goals
In order to attract highly skilled foreigners in sectors where SA lacks such skills, the critical skills list is required to be updated at least every two years, with the addition of various occupations targeting key industries These skills are necessary for the application of a critical skills work visa.
Summary
The critical skills work visa is issued in accordance with the critical skills list. However, the list does not always match industry requirements. The critical skills work visa will be integrated into the points-based system.
View DetailsIs it working?
The Critical Skills List was last updated in October 2023 (and 2022 previously). Reports indicate that since 2020, more than 4,900 critical skills work visas have been issued to individuals from over 100 countries - the majority from Zimbabwe and India. Since the last revision of the critical skills list in 2023, the precise number of critical skills work visas issued is not explicitly stated. The number could change with the introduction of the point-based system for applying for the visa. This system introduces a more transparent and structured way for foreign professionals to assess their eligibility.
Actions
The Department of Home Affairs updates the critical skills list based on industry demand, although the list does not always match demand.
Are there plans?
The list is intended to be regularly updated; last update was in 2023 and before that in 2022.
Is it on the agenda?
Yes, it is part of Operation Vulindlela's agenda and forms part of the visa regime set out in the 2020 Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. The DHA Strategic Plan 2020-2025 also refers to the critical skills list.
Goals
Regularly update the critical skills list to attract highly skilled foreigners in sectors where SA lacks such skills.
Summary
The critical skills work visa is issued in accordance with the critical skills list. However, the list does not always match industry requirements. The critical skills work visa will be integrated into the points-based system.
View DetailsIs it working?
The Critical Skills List was last updated in October 2023 (and 2022 previously). Reports indicate that since 2020, more than 4,900 critical skills work visas have been issued to individuals from over 100 countries - the majority from Zimbabwe and India. Since the last revision of the critical skills list in 2023, the precise number of critical skills work visas issued is not explicitly stated. The number could change with the introduction of the point-based system for applying for the visa. This system introduces a more transparent and structured way for foreign professionals to assess their eligibility.
Actions
The Department of Home Affairs updates the critical skills list based on industry demand, although the list does not always match demand.
Are there plans?
The list is intended to be regularly updated; last update was in 2023 and before that in 2022.
Is it on the agenda?
Yes, it is part of Operation Vulindlela's agenda and forms part of the visa regime set out in the 2020 Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. The DHA Strategic Plan 2020-2025 also refers to the critical skills list.
Goals
Regularly update the critical skills list to attract highly skilled foreigners in sectors where SA lacks such skills.
Summary
The critical skills work visa is issued in accordance with the critical skills list
View DetailsIs it working?
Actions met and completed
Actions
The Department of Home Affairs regularly updates the critical skills list based on industry demand
Are there plans?
Forms part of the new visa regime set out in the 2020 Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan
Is it on the agenda?
To address the scarcity of critical skills which pose a significant challenge to SA's economic growth. Highly skilled workers are slowly being recruited
Goals
In order to attract highly skilled foreigners to address a critical skills shortage and boost the economy in SA, the critical skills list is updated at least every two years, with the addition of various occupations targeting key industries These skills are necessary for the application of a critical skills work visa
Summary
The critical skills work visa is issued in accordance with the critical skills list. However, the list does not always match industry requirements.
View DetailsIs it working?
Actions met and completed
Actions
The Department of Home Affairs regularly updates the critical skills list based on industry demand, although the list does not always match demand.
Are there plans?
Forms part of the new visa regime set out in the 2020 Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
Is it on the agenda?
To address the scarcity of critical skills which pose a significant challenge to SA's economic growth. Highly skilled workers are slowly being recruited.
Goals
In order to attract highly skilled foreigners in sectors where SA lacks such skills, the critical skills list is required to be updated at least every two years, with the addition of various occupations targeting key industries These skills are necessary for the application of a critical skills work visa.
Summary
The critical skills work visa is issued in accordance with the critical skills list. However, the list does not always match industry requirements.
View DetailsIs it working?
Reports indicate that since 2020, more than 4,900 critical skills work visas have been issued to individuals from over 100 countries - the majority from Zimbabwe and India. However, it's unknown how many have been issued since 2022 when the critical skills list was revised to replace the previous long-standing critical skills list that was published in 2014. The number could change with the introduction of the point-based system this year for applying for the visa. This system introduces a more transparent and structured way for foreign professionals to assess their eligibility. https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/791315/5000-critical-skill-visa-workers-in-south-africa-more-than-half-coming-from-just-two-countries/
Actions
The Department of Home Affairs regularly updates the critical skills list based on industry demand, although the list does not always match demand.
Are there plans?
Forms part of the new visa regime set out in the 2020 Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
Is it on the agenda?
To address the scarcity of critical skills which pose a significant challenge to SA's economic growth. Highly skilled workers are slowly being recruited.
Goals
In order to attract highly skilled foreigners in sectors where SA lacks such skills, the critical skills list is required to be updated at least every two years, with the addition of various occupations targeting key industries These skills are necessary for the application of a critical skills work visa.
Summary
The critical skills work visa is issued in accordance with the critical skills list. However, the list does not always match industry requirements.
View DetailsIs it working?
Reports indicate that since 2020, more than 4,900 critical skills work visas have been issued to individuals from over 100 countries - the majority from Zimbabwe and India. However, it's unknown how many have been issued since 2022 when the critical skills list was revised to replace the previous long-standing critical skills list that was published in 2014. The number could change with the introduction of the point-based system this year for applying for the visa. This system introduces a more transparent and structured way for foreign professionals to assess their eligibility. https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/791315/5000-critical-skill-visa-workers-in-south-africa-more-than-half-coming-from-just-two-countries/
Actions
The Department of Home Affairs regularly updates the critical skills list based on industry demand, although the list does not always match demand.
Are there plans?
Forms part of the new visa regime set out in the 2020 Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
Is it on the agenda?
To address the scarcity of critical skills which pose a significant challenge to SA's economic growth. Highly skilled workers are slowly being recruited.
Goals
In order to attract highly skilled foreigners in sectors where SA lacks such skills, the critical skills list is required to be updated at least every two years, with the addition of various occupations targeting key industries These skills are necessary for the application of a critical skills work visa.