Top in demand occupations in South Africa

Source: Talent Site

Why work in South Africa?

• High standard of living
• Offers excellent healthcare system
• Work life balance
• Safest country
• Offers free public education
• Job and career stability

South Africa offers various job opportunities for skilled workers in various positions and increasingly foreigners are finding work in South Africa as the country has a growing economy and manufacturing sector. Hence, the government encourages applications by skilled workers in occupations. The most recent list of critical skills has as much as 35,000 job positions across 53 different categories.

Migrate to South Africa via a Work Visa

A general work visa in South Africa allows a foreign nationals to work and stay in the country for a specific employer in any position that cannot be filled by a South African citizen or permanent resident. The employer must show that there is no suitable local candidate to fill the position in the country.

To be eligible for work visa in South Africa, you must first find a job in the country. You can find employment opportunities online and by contacting recruiters from South Africa.

Types of South Africa work visa

General Work Visa

General work visa is the most common type of work visa for non-residents looking for employment opportunities in South Africa. The validity of this visa is 5 years and can be renewed if required.

Intra-company Transfer Visa (ICT)

Intra-company Transfer Visa (ICT) is for individuals who are employed by a multinational companies and transferred to work in South Africa.

Critical Skills Work Visa

Highly skilled professionals will be eligible for Critical Skills Work Visa, this visa allows non-residents to come to South Africa without the necessity of a job offer. Applicants do not need to hold any offer of employment at the time of application, this visa is issued to a maximum of 12 months and will require an employment contract for the renewal. 

Business Visa

Individual willing to travel to the country for business purposes, such as attend a conference, conduct market research, or meet with clients apply for this visa.

Corporate Visa

This visa is not for individuals, but corporations. A corporate visa allows companies to employ a set number of non-residents with Individual Corporate Worker Certificates.

Requirements of South Africa work visa

• Proof of good health
• Police clearance certificate
• A return flight ticket to your country
• Proof that you intend to do seasonal work
• Evidence that you have not been granted an SSE (or TRSE) work visa before
• Proof that you are 18
• Evidence you are staying in New Zealand
• Proof of your current Student or Visitor visa

Top In-Demand Occupations in South Africa

Software Engineer

These professionals design and implement software solutions. They apply engineering principles to devise software that meets their clients' demands. They also supervise development, meet clients, and assess their requirements. They implement a structured approach in a software development life cycle. LinkedIn also agrees that software development and engineering roles are the fastest-growing, in-demand jobs in South Africa.

Network Administrator

Network Administrators are responsible for handling and maintaining IT networks. While they set up networks, most of their work is supervision. They recognize and rectify problems with either hardware or software, check the system for vulnerabilities, and boost and replace equipment when needed. These professionals ensure your IT infrastructure is as efficient and safe as feasible. South Africa's job market demands network administrators, making it a highly sought-after profession.

Data Scientist

In today’s world, businesses and other organizations work with extensive amounts of data. Data scientists deal with and process this data to provide helpful information. They use statistics and computer science techniques to analyse data and extract actionable knowledge. This includes collecting, cleaning, and analysing data. Data science is another top career that is in demand in South Africa.

Health and Safety Manager

Nowadays, workplace health and safety are given a great deal of importance. Gone are the days when severe physical harm and even fatalities were a common occurrence. We have stricter workplace security laws in place. Health and Safety Managers ensure these laws are fully enforced to make the work atmosphere as safe as possible.

Accountants

Any organization must keep its financials in review and well accounted for. Every penny spent and earned must be registered and logged. This is where Accountants play a significant role. They ensure the company’s financial books are in order, down to the most minor expenditure. They also help companies yield with the country’s many tax laws.

Agricultural Engineer

Agriculture plays a very important role in the South African economy. And as in other sectors, agriculture has also faced many challenges and difficulties. Agricultural Engineers address these issues by applying engineering principles and other techniques. They tackle things like irrigation, energy and power, the environmental impact of agricultural waste, and food storage.

Lawyer

Lawyers are advocates for their clients. They consider their well-being, particularly those concerning legal issues when representing them in court and other legal forums. They also perform specific actions for their clients, such as giving legal guidance, executing wills, and preparing legally sound contracts. Salary expectations for lawyers are very high, depending on the area of law in which one chooses to specialize.

Business Consultant

The primary role of a Business Consultant is to deliver solutions for businesses. They take the company’s plans and suggest actions to make them a reality. Their work includes enhancing business processes, introducing new methods, and changing and boosting outdated practices.           

List of Shortage Occupations in South Africa

• Software Developers (IT)
• Developer Programmers (IT)
• Data Scientists (IT)
• ICT Systems Analysts (IT)
• Market Research Analysts (Marketing / IT)
• Actuaries (Finance)
• Investment Analysts (Finance)
• Tax Professionals (Finance)
• External Auditors (Finance)
• Registered Nurses (Medical & Health)
• Multimedia Specialists (Design, Media & Arts)
• Multimedia Designers (Design, Media & Arts)
• Business Development Officers (Business & Management)
• Civil Engineers (Engineering)

Steps to apply for South Africa work visa

Step 1: Apply for your South Africa Work Permit

Step 2: Pay the visa fee online

Step 3: Attend the appointment

Step 4: Submit all your documents

Step 5: Register your biometric details

Step 6: Wait for the visa application to get approved

How can Y-Axis help you?

Y-Axis has been providing unbiased and personalized immigration-related assistance for more than 25 years. Our team of experienced immigration experts is here to provide end-to-end support to help you migrate to South Africa. Our services include:

• Identify and collect all your documents
• Complete the visa documents checklist
• Create your application package
• Fill the various forms and applications accurately
• Updates & follow up
• Interview preparation

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