Working in South Africa

Thousands of tourists from all over the world are drawn to South Africa every year because of its breathtaking nature. Many of them are tempted to work and live on the other side of the world. But the obstacles are high, because South Africa has strict working regulations for foreigners, respectively immigrants.  Only those that have a very good educational background and fulfill special requirements, e.g. no South African can be found to do the job, have a chance. Only then one is permitted the so called "Working Permit" for a period of two years. Furthermore your English skills should be sufficient for the corporate world.
South Africa's large cities offer a lot opportunity to find the right job. Johannesburg is still the financial center whereas in Cape Town creative skills are in demand. There is an unusually high number of Web design, Marketing as well as PR companies in Cape Town. The most important industrial sector is nevertheless the Tourism sector. Viniculture and the manufacturing industry, apart from the mining industry, make South Africa an attractive business location. The service sector and especially the tourism sector are growing economical sectors in South Africa. The quality of living varies a lot in South Africa and the living costs are considerably less than e.g. in Germany.
Living costs and living space are particularly cheap in the rural areas. However, you will often face a loneliness that is unknown in Europe. That is one of the reasons South Africans are considered to be laid back, composed and calm. Qualities a lot of emigrants are looking for.  Especially the Capetonians have developed their own time, the Capetonian Time, where punctuality does not have top priority.  But in the busy financial centers of the country working conditions require dedication.

Entry and Stay

No matter the reason of your travel to South Africa, you will have to apply for a Visa in all cases. Good planning pays off, because depending on what you want to do different formalities are involved. Particularly regarding the Visa you should know whether to apply for a "Work Permit" or a "Visitor's Permit". In case you want to open or take over a business in South Africa you will need a  "Business Permit" that will secure you a working permit for 24 months. After those two years the permit can be extended, just as you like, if you fulfill some requirements. If you are opening a branch of your company in South Africa, you will need a special Visa which will be issued for a period of 24 months.
If all this does not apply to you and you are not an investor with at least 2.5 million ZAR, there is the opportunity of a reduction of the investment. However,  the issue of a working permit comes with a lot of  legal requirements. You have to provide a job offer from a South African employer who has to prove that he has tried everything to find an appropriate South African employee for the vacant job. The "Department of Home Affairs" will decide whether you will be issued one of the sought-after working permits. Professional qualification and experience, English skills and the state of health of the applicant are essential criteria in their process. Moreover it is important what kind of labor is in demand in the country. That can be medical personnel, craftsmen or IT specialists, the so called "Quota Permit".

If you have taken all these hurdles and belong to one of the few happy owners of a "Work Permit" then you can live and work here for two years at the longest. When those two years are up and you are not homesick you can apply for a new Visa - there is no limit to the amount of applications for a Visa.

Job hunt und application

Your chances of finding a job depend mainly on your professional qualification. The South African government collects applications and evaluates them based on specific criteria that particularly consider the current South African economy and its demands. Apart from that family ties to South Africa, language skills and other things are important. Sometimes craftsmen and IT specialists, but also skilled personnel for the growing service industry have good chances.

A complete planning of your working stay in South Africa includes contacting an Immigration Agency before your departure. If you should find a job through Studentsgoabroad.com we will take over the complete organization.

Your application should consist of a motivational letter and a short, well arranged and appealing CV presenting your qualifications. Credentials and references do not have to be included right away. They will be requested if needed in the application process.

Working conditions

Although sunny weather and great beaches tempt you to loaf, South Africans are absolutely career oriented. The labor market is quite competitive and therefore very good English skills are a must to compete with the local competitors.

South Africa has legal regulations regarding the minimum wage an employer has to pay its employees. Every employee has a right to 3 weeks paid vacation yearly after working for the employer 12 month. Due to the BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) law so called "Previously Disadvantaged People" are  favored in the application process.

Health Insurance

When talking about the South African health system the term "two-tier system" often comes up, meaning people with private health insurance on the one hand and people without health insurance on the other hand. Membership with a private health insurance company mostly pays off through a shortened waiting  time. Patients without health insurance might have to wait weeks for an urgent medical examination in a state-run hospital while private patients can report at the corresponding private laboratory after only a few days. Many South Africans have decided for a private health insurance, because the premiums are rather decent.