The Benefits of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES)
South Africa’s work visa system faces systematic challenges, the Department of Home Affairs recognizes this and in 2023 launched the Trusted Employer Scheme. In order to qualify, companies needed to meet a number of criteria including capital investment, facilitate graduate development programs, employ a minimum of 60% South Africans, and maintain good standing with relevant government departments, etc.
POINTS BASED SYSTEM AS THE SELECTION CRITERIA
A minimum of 80 points is required to qualify for the Scheme.
| Pledges/Proven Investment | 30 points |
| Employment | 25 points |
| Sector | 15 points |
| Skills Transfer/Development | 20 points |
| Equity Equivalence | 10 points |
| Total | 100 points |
The TES contributes to the establishment of a more effective and streamlined process for recruiting foreign talent and is a big positive step from the DHA to improve visa processing for employers.
BENEFIT OF THE TES
Critical Skills Work Visa
Submission will be allowed without a SAQA verification and Professional Body registration. This will speed up the process for Critical Skills Work Visas significantly. The documents still need to be secured and kept on file for any future requests by the DHA.
General Work Visa
Submission will be allowed without the Department of Labour Certificate or a waiver for this requirement. This will have a significant benefit to the overall timeline of an application.
Intra Company Transfer Work Visa
Submission will be allowed without a skills transfer plan, while this may seem like a smaller benefit, this significantly alleviates the submission requirements. This requirement has been revoked as the Company already has a Graduate Development Program in place.
Processing times
Applications submitted at Head office will be finalised within 5 – 10 days and applications submitted at foreign missions will be finalised within 5 – 10 days.
Family
The benefits and timeframes for work visa documents will be extended to family members of applicants.
Permanent Residency
All PR application while needing to meet all the document requirements will be processes within 8 months.
Waivers
All waivers will be finalised within 60 days.
WATCH OUR ON-DEMAND PODCAST
‘Xpatweb Work Visas in South Africa Podcast’ featuring Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb, and Mr. Phindiwe Mbhele, Director of Corporate Accounts from the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa!
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