South Africa is one of the most sought after work destinations. It is not, however, easy to get entry to the country. The South African government requires anyone who wants to work in their country to secure a Work Permit, which also doubles as a visa.

Aspiring workers cannot apply for work permits themselves. Their potential employers should apply on their behalf. This seeming hassle is due to the unemployment issues surrounding South Africa.

There are several types of Work Permit, the most common being the General Work Permit. Applicants for the said permit are required to provide conditional offers of employment from their potential South African employers as well as documentation which confirms that the employers primarily hire local residents. The application must also include a certification that the aspiring workers possess the necessary qualifications set by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). When workers have been in possession of a General Work Permit for at least five years, they may apply for permanent residency. There are further steps concerning the permanent residency application.

Another common South Africa Work Permit is the Quota Work Permit. This type of permit applies to aspiring workers whose skills are deemed scarce. Unlike the General Work Permit, the Quota Work Permit does not require its applicants to provide offers of employment.

There are other types of Work Permits in South Africa. The granting of permits primarily depends on the skills of the foreign worker. For permits such as Intra Company Transfers and Corporate Work Permits, granting depends on the status of the company by which the worker is employed.