South Africa cuts corporate work visa waits to 20 days under Phase II of TES
| Standard Route | 154 days |
|---|---|
| Trusted Employer Scheme | 20 days |
South Africa shortened corporate work visa wait times from 22 weeks to roughly 20 days after opening Phase II of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) to multinational regional headquarters, strategic infrastructure builders and financial institutions.
Broadened pathways and digital processing
Under Phase II, which took effect July 20, vetted companies submit visa applications through a centralized online portal instead of routing candidates through standard embassy appointments. The digital route targets 95% of critical-skills visas within four weeks and 90% of general work visas within eight weeks, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed.
The department expanded eligibility beyond domestic firms to cover three distinct employer categories:
Regional or global headquarters operating in or relocating to South Africa
International Financial Centres authorized by the South African Reserve Bank
Strategic infrastructure projects managing large-scale capital developments
Score thresholds and the Sept. 4 filing window
Companies must score at least 80 out of 100 points on a government scorecard evaluating investment size, local employment ratios, skills transfer programs and tax compliance. Multinationals operating an established headquarters qualify for up to 50 points if they paid more than 500 million rand ($28 million) in corporate income tax and payroll deductions over the last two tax years.
Employers aiming to use the fast-track channel must submit an Expression of Interest through the government portal by Sept. 4. Interdepartmental review panels will issue qualification decisions within 30 working days of the cutoff.
The fast-track process covers Critical Skills, Intra-Company Transfer and General Work Visa petitions filed by qualifying companies. Anyone exploring moving to South Africa as an independent freelancer or remote worker remains excluded, because the scheme applies strictly to direct corporate hires rather than self-employed professionals.
Frequently asked questions
How long do corporate work visas take under South Africa's Phase II Trusted Employer Scheme?
Which employers can use South Africa's fast-track corporate visa process?
What visas are covered by South Africa's Trusted Employer Scheme Phase II?
Can freelancers or remote workers use South Africa's new fast-track work visa system?
What score do companies need to qualify for South Africa's fast-track visa channel?
When do employers have to file an Expression of Interest for South Africa's Phase II scheme?
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