The most common types of South African visa are listed below.

Work Visa
This visa is often granted to foreign professionals when there is a skill shortage in the South African market. Information technology, engineering, accountancy and finance are some of the most highly sought-after positions in South Africa.

Spouse and Life Partner Visa
A South African relative or permanent resident must sponsor this visa.

Retirement Visa
South Africa is a popular destination among retirees, owing to the anti-discrimination provisions of its constitution and the climate. A retirement visa grants temporary or permanent residency and is available to anyone who is financially capable of supporting themselves. To qualify, South African visa applicants must have a pension account or annuity amounting to at least R20,000 per month. Unlike a work permit, a retirement visa does not require employer sponsorship, though retirement visa holders enjoy the right to work in South Africa if they wish to.

Business Visa
This type of visa offers temporary residence to businessmen. Its closest foreign counterparts are the UK investor visa and the US EB-5 visa. To qualify for a business visa, applicants must have a minimum investment of R2.5million. Visa applicants must also submit a comprehensive business plan and must be employed in the planned venture. Proof of entrepreneurial skills and business experience are also required.

Go Matilda, which is an Australia based immigration agency, said the Business Skills project is about to reach its quota of 7,000 approved visas in the migration year 2008 to 2009. Applicants who have not been included in this period’s allocation will have to wait for the next migration year, which runs from 2009 to 2010. The immigration service will only then grant onshore and offshore business visas.

The country’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship also has other concerns apart from the basic processing of business visas within the migration year. They are also worried that there might already be too many businesses starting, which, even though they might meet the basic qualification criteria, do not generate enough new jobs once they are established.

Australian immigration officials would appreciate the patience of applicants in waiting for the results of their visa application. If any changes were to be made, announcements of the revised requirements would be declared before July. The reduced number of skills visas will only last until the economic crisis has ended. Once Australia’s economy has bounced back from the global recession, larger numbers of skilled workers will be in demand in the country.

There are a lot of people out there who perform jobs that could fall under this category. Investors and entrepreneurs are probably the two most eligible for the business class visas, although there are plenty of self-employed individuals out there who probably fall into the first two categories. And the beauty of Canada is such that given the current industrial and economic standards, it is a relatively safe place to invest time and money because of the stability.

The schools are top-notch, and the health-care is as good as it gets. Canada also has socialized health care, meaning you don’t have to shell out thousands each year in fees to insurance companies who attempt to drain you dry. The scenery is fantastic, the weather is optimal, and overall, it’s one of the cleanest and up-to-speed environments in which to live. And Canada wants people to come to their country, especially people who have money to invest in the country.

So regardless of if you are a real-estate investor, a restaurant entrepreneur, or a freelance artist, as long as you can prove your worth, via the Business Points Test, you can soon find yourself living in an entirely brand new environment, enjoying life the Canadian way.

One of the ways in which you can gain entry into the country for an eventual move is through a business visa. While residence permits require one of the several types of visas, the business visa is unique in that it allows for entrepreneurs and business executives to fast-track their transition.

There are two ways to go about this. One is on a provisional visa, which is issued to someone who becomes eligible for permanent residence after establishing a business in Australia. Similar to the skilled migrant visa, you will need to go through the application process and see if you have enough “points” on their test. If you do, you can process through accordingly. Secondly, the business talent visa allows for high-calibre business individuals who are sponsored by a Territory to fast-track into residency, or alternatively for those people wanting to start a business under the talent program to change their visa once they have maintained a suitable investment. For specific details regarding the exact numbers required, see http://www.visabureau.com/australia.

The requirements of the Investor Visa or the Treaty Visa include the point that the investor is a corporate or real person and that the investor is of the nationality of the treaty country. The investment to be made in the United States should be substantial in magnitude. Within the same bracket, the portion of the investment being made for a low-cast stature of business enterprise should be more than the portion of investment being made for a high-cost business.

The Investor Visa applicant must show proof that the investment is a real and operating enterprise that is not idle or speculative.  Uncommitted money and funds held in an account in the bank or like securities are not deemed as investments. Further, the investment must not generate marginal profits but should reap significantly more profit than merely to provide the investor and his/her family a living. It, therefore, must provide a notable positive economic impact for the US.

State/Territory-Sponsored Business Visa applicants must also produce police certificates from the countries he or she has stayed for more than 12 months in the last ten years. This is also applies to family members of the State/Territory-Sponsored Business Visa applicant. The purpose is to check the applicant’s conduct and character in the countries he or she has been living.

The State/Territory-Sponsored Business Visa applicant should also show ownership interest by running a business in Australia for the last two years before applying for the sponsored business visa, Proof should be shown, such as an Australian business number that the Australia authorities that tax has been paid as required by the Australian law.

The State/Territory-Sponsored Business Visa applicant must show that he or she has a good business record and that he or she has not been involved in any unacceptable business practices. The Sponsored Business Visa applicant must also show that his or her previous business had a turnover of at least $200,000 before the Sponsored Business Visa application is processed.

There should an indication that the previous business employed at least Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, New Zealand passport bearers, or non-members of the applicant’s names. Finally, the applicant should have at least been in Australia for one year cumulatively in the two years before the application was made.

The South African Business Visa focuses more on the entrepreneurial capability and experiences of the visa applicant. The investment requirements are also taken into consideration. The application of the South African Business Visa further puts emphasis on the creation of employment opportunities for the South African permanent residents or citizens.

The benefits of acquiring a South African Business Visa include the successful foreign applicant being allowed to migrate into the country for a specific period of time. This visa is similar to the United Kingdom Investor Visa and the United States’ EB-5 Visa. All these visas, including the South African Business Visa, are based on the applicant possessing enough business capital and acumen to successfully establish and/or run a commercially viable enterprise.

The South African Business Visa is granted for a set period that does not exceed 24 months. This period can be indefinitely extended as long as the requirements of an extended visa are met. The requirements for successfully acquiring the South African Business Visa are largely dependant on the prospective business or enterprise. In addition to this, the business visa, like the work visa, can ultimately lead to citizenship or permanent residence for the holder of the South African Business Visa. This comes with all the benefits that are bestowed to a South African national.

The sponsored businessman or businesswoman must be sponsored by a regional authority of a state or a territory. For example, one’s country can sponsor one’s business in Australia.  

Any person whose business is sponsored in Australia can work and travel as much as he or she wants either in or outside Australia as long as the sponsored business visa is valid. The sponsored business holder can study in Australia and the family or dependents can also accompany him or her and they will have the right to work and study in Australia. The State/Territory Sponsored Business Visa holder becomes a permanent resident of Australia. As a State/Territory Sponsored Business Visa holder, one will be provided with medical expenses and hospital care though the Medicare scheme.

Another benefit enjoyed by the State/Territory Sponsored Business Visa holder is the special benefit package that is normally given if the holder suffers from a substantial change in circumstances that is beyond his or her control.

A State/Territory Sponsored Business Visa holder not only enjoys benefits, but there are also certain things expected of him or her by the Australian government. The holder and the family must abide by the Australian laws as permanent residents. The Australian government has put tight measures on this type of visa application that most people from a developing country cannot afford.

For those business men who need to make short business visits to Australia for up to three months in a one year period, they should apply for the Business Short stay visa.

Another type of Australia Visa is the Business Entrant or Long Validity visa which is designed for business men or women who have regular short visits to Australia for up to 3 months. This visa is valid for up to 10 years, or the life of the passport (whichever is shorter).

For those numerous students worldwide hoping to study in Australia, there is a wide range of Australia visas offered. Before anyone starts a course, one is required to obtain an appropriate Australian student visa. For anyone to be given the student visa, they have to be enrolled on a registered course on a full-time basis. The Higher Education Student visa is specifically designed for students who are signed up to a Bachelor degree, a graduate certificate, a graduate diploma, an associate degree or Masters.

For students who want to study for a Masters degree or a Doctorate degree, they should apply for the Postgraduate Research Student visa.

Those who are enrolled in a foundation, bridging or other course that doesn’t lead to an Australian degree or diploma, should apply for the Non-award Student visa.

A US visa is the first step towards permanent residency.  The visa along with your passport will allow you to stay in the country for a period of time.  Each type of visa has individual rules, regulations and time frames.  A tourist visa is the easiest type of visa to obtain since you will be returning to your home country after your visit.  The stipulations become harder when you want a more permanent status.  While US citizenship is an ultimate goal for many people it is not at all necessary for staying in the country.  If you have a visa it can be renewed allowing you to stay longer.

Here are the different types of US Visa:

▪ B-1 Business Visa
▪ B-2 Tourist Visa
▪ C-1 Transit Visa
▪ E-3 Visa for Australians
▪ F-1 Student Visa
▪ J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
▪ H-1B Work Visa
▪ H-2B Work Visa
▪ K-1 Fiancée/Fiancé Visa
▪ TN NAFTA Work Visa
▪ Tourist Visa Extension