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This guide breaks down the visa scoring system, clarifies the difference between critical skills and general work visas, and explains how employers can gain an advantage through the trusted employer scheme (TES).
The points-based work visa system is a scoring framework introduced by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs under the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002), updated in 2024. It evaluates work visa applicants based on several weighted criteria, including:
Applicants must achieve a minimum of 100 points across these categories to qualify for a work visa. The system rewards highly qualified professionals, those earning competitive salaries, and those hired by pre-vetted companies.
This system introduces greater transparency and efficiency into South Africa’s visa process, helping businesses and professionals understand exactly what’s required to qualify. It:
South Africa offers two primary types of work visas under the new scoring regime:
Critical skills visa awarded when an applicant earns 100 points and their job title appears on the official Critical Skills List.
General work visa granted to applicants who reach 100 points without having a job on the Critical Skills List.
It still allows lawful employment but may have:
Scenario | Visa Type |
100 points with occupation on critical skills list | Critical Skills Visa |
100 points without critical skills inclusion | General Work Visa |
Below 100 points | Ineligible (no Visa) |
South Africa’s points-based visa framework rewards applicants across six weighted categories. Here’s how the scoring system works:
The single most influential category:
If your job title is listed on the official Critical Skills List, you automatically earn 100 points — enough to qualify for a Critical Skills Work Visa.
Tip for HR teams: Ensure job titles in offers exactly match the Critical Skills List wording to avoid disqualification.
South Africa uses the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to standardise academic credentials.
Points are awarded as follows:
NQF Level | Academic Equivalent | Points |
NQF 9–10 | Master’s or Doctoral degree | 50 |
NQF 7–8 | Bachelor’s or Honours degree | 30 |
Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority).
Salary reflects economic contribution and skills demand.
Points are awarded based on gross annual income:
Salary Band | Points |
R976,194 and above | 50 |
Between R650,976 and R976,194 | 20 |
Only job offers from South African-based companies qualify.
Your years of relevant industry experience also boost your score:
Experience Level | Points |
5 to 10 years | 20 |
More than 10 years | 30 |
Document proof such as MIE reports.
Applicants with a job offer from a trusted employer receive 30 bonus points.
To qualify:
See the next section for a full breakdown of the trusted employer scheme.
Being proficient in at least one official South African language grants 10 points.
Common languages include:
This is especially useful to close small point gaps if other categories fall short.
The trusted employer scheme (TES) is a cornerstone of the 2024 immigration system. It recognises organisations that:
To be certified as a trusted employer, a company must score highly in a 100-point evaluation model:
Assessment Area | Points |
Investment / pledges (eg. SAIC) | 30 |
Job creation impact | 25 |
Sectoral relevance | 15 |
Skills development (graduate programmes, etc.) | 20 |
Equity participation | 10 |
To prove eligibility, employers must submit:
Becoming a trusted employer helps secure top international talent while meeting regulatory priorities.
To qualify for a South African work visa, applicants must achieve 100 points or more from a combination of six weighted criteria. But not all paths to 100 are equal—the route you take determines whether you qualify for a Critical Skills or General Work Visa.
Important: Even if an applicant reaches 100 points via a critical skills occupation, they must still register with the appropriate professional body or council relevant to their field. This is a mandatory requirement for final visa approval under the Critical Skills category.
Getting to 100 points is only part of the challenge—how you score and how well-prepared your documentation is determines success.
South Africa’s updated points-based visa system marks a pivotal shift toward structured, merit-based immigration.
For HR leaders and CEOs, it offers a clear framework to strategically recruit international talent aligned with economic goals. For foreign professionals, it provides transparency and multiple pathways to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s workforce.
But reaching 100 points is only part of the journey.
Whether you're applying through the critical skills route or a general work visa, success depends on more than scoring — it requires compliance, professional registration, and employer readiness. The trusted employer scheme stands out as a key enabler, offering faster processing and higher visa approval rates for companies committed to South Africa’s growth.
By understanding the rules, preparing the right documents, and partnering with compliant employers, applicants and organisations can navigate the visa system confidently—turning red tape into real opportunity.