Needs employer and heavier approvals; harder than study.
Route overview
Employer plus labour-market test
Typical timeline / duration: 4-10 months
Important notes
Secure a South African employer and a signed employment contract for the proposed position.
Show that the employer could not find a suitable South African citizen or permanent resident with the relevant qualifications, skills, and experience, and meet the applicable labour and salary conditions.
Provide qualification and experience evidence, SAQA evaluation where relevant, medical and police-clearance certificates, passport, photographs, proof of funds, and the employer documents requested by the mission.
Apply for the work visa before beginning employment and work only for the employer, role, and conditions approved; a visitor visa cannot normally be converted inside South Africa into a work visa.
The general work visa is a labour-market-tested employer route. South African government guidance says the employer must show that citizens or permanent residents with the relevant skills are not available.
South Africa's work-visa framework has recently been changing, including points-based criteria and proposed replacement categories, so applicants should use the current DHA notice and mission checklist rather than an older generic form.