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LATEST NEWS UPDATE
Keynote Address by Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, at Xpatweb Annual Global Mobility Conference
Created on 21 July, 2026
Programme Director, Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb, Representatives from business, industry and the immigration profession, Members of the diplomatic corps, Distinguished guests, Ladi...

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Home Affairs launches digitalised Trusted Employer Scheme Phase II to cut red tape, attract investment, and create jobs
Created on 20 July, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs has today gazetted the launch of Phase II of its highly successful Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), marking another major step in modernising South Africa's immigration sy...

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Home Affairs reminds the public of the deadline for the registration of customary marriages
Created on 16 July, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs reminds members of the public that 31 August 2026 is the deadline to register qualifying customary marriages under the special registration period declared by the Minist...

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Home Affairs expands Digital Partnership as Absa goes live with Smart ID applications
Created on 15 July, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs today announced another major milestone in our groundbreaking Digital Partnership with the banking sector as Absa went live with digital Smart ID applications, becoming ...

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Minister Schreiber welcomes arrest as anti-corruption crackdown gathers pace
Created on 10 July, 2026
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has welcomed the arrest of a Border Management Authority (BMA) official as part of the ongoing campaign to root out corruption across the Home Affairs ...

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Ms Ndileka Cola appointed Chief Director of Communications for the Department of Home Affairs
Created on 10 July, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Ndileka Cola as the Chief Director of Communications. Ms Cola officially assumed her duties on 01 July 2026, marking a signi...

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Reforms at the Refugee Appeals Authority deliver biggest reduction in refugee appeals backlog in years
Created on 09 July, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs has achieved the biggest reduction in South Africa's refugee appeals backlog in years following a series of reforms at the Refugee Appeals Authority of South Africa (RAA...

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Home Affairs Notes Constitutional Court Judgment on Refugees Act
Created on 07 July, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs notes the judgment handed down today by the Constitutional Court in the matter between the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town and the Minister of Home Affairs. The case conc...

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Home Affairs concludes voluntary repatriation operation at Epping Refugee Reception Office
Created on 06 July, 2026
The Department of Home Affairs has successfully transferred foreign nationals who . requested voluntary repatriation from the Epping Refugee Reception Office in the Western Cape to the Musina Repatria...

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APPLICANTS WITH CRITICAL SKILLS [SECTION 27(A) AND SECTION 27(B)] 

Family members may apply together with the main applicant 

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

ALL DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY THE ISSUING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN SHALL BE ORIGINAL OR COPIES APOSTLED AND WHERE APPLICABLE TRANSLATED INTO ONE OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE REPUBLIC, WHICH TRANSLATION SHALL BE CERTIFIED AS A CORRECT TRANSLATION BY A SWORN TRANSLATOR.

  • A duly completed BI-947 form online. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by Department of Home Affairs.
  • A valid passport in respect of each applicant.
  • In respect of a spouse accompanying the applicant or joining the applicant in the Republic, a marriage certificate or proof of relationship as contemplated in Regulation 3.
  • In respect of dependent children accompanying the applicant or joining the applicant in the Republic, proof of parental responsibilities and rights or written consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent or legal guardian, as the case may be:
  • Applicable application fee, original bank payment / Electronic Fund Transfer receipt for each applicant, where applicable.
  • Appointment Letter, a passport photograph for all applicants one year of age and older. A recent, passport-type, full face photograph bearing the names of the applicants on the reverse side thereof. (Machine-type or instant photographs are not acceptable).
  • Unabridged birth certificate, or extract from birth record for applicant(s). 
  • Biometrics in respect of any applicant over the age of sixteen years
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate if that person travelled or intends travelling from or transit through a yellow fever endemic area: Provided that the certificate shall not be required where that person travelled or intends travelling in direct transit through such area or where an application is made in the Republic.
  • Police clearance certificate(s) All applicants 18 years of age and older. In respect of all countries of residence for one year or longer (only originals issued by the relevant security authority will be accepted.
  • Radiological reports: Provided that the radiological report shall not be required in respect of children under the age of 12 years or pregnant woman.
  • Medical Certificate as per format provided in Services section on the website. 
  • Marriage certificate, or extract from marriage record. Proof of registration of customary marriage in terms of Recognition of Customary Marriages Act No 120 of 1998 (Act No. 120 of 1998) where applicable / 
  • A notarial agreement signed by both parties attesting that –(i) the permanent spousal homosexual or heterosexual relationship has existed for at least two years before the date of application for a relevant visa or permanent residence permit and that the relationship still exist to the exclusion of any other person and (ii) neither of the parties is a spouse in an existing marriage or a permanent homosexual or heterosexual relationship
  • Spousal affidavit. Part A of form 12 confirming the continued existence of the relationship. 
  • Part B: an applicant contemplated in Sub Regulation (1) who has been issued with a visa or permanent residence permit must, after a period of two years from the date of issuing of that visa or permanent residence permit, inform the Director-General whether or not the spousal relationship still exists by submitting to the Director-General an affidavit on Part B of form 12.
  • In the case where such a party was a spouse in the previous marriage, any official documents that prove the dissolution of such marriage either by divorce or the death of the other spouse.
  • Documentation to proof financial support to each other and extent to which the related responsibilities are shared by the applicant and his/her spouse and in the case of a relationship concluded between two foreigners in a foreign country, an official recognition of the relationship issued by the relevant authorities of the country concerned, if available. All married applicants or parties to spousal relationship.
  • A deed poll in the case of the applicant who has changed his or her name, surname or sex
  • Where the application is made in the Republic, a valid visa for temporary sojourn at the time of application, in respect of each applicant.
  • Proof that the applicant falls within the critical skills category as per prescribed list.
  • Confirmation, in writing, from the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA in terms of section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualification Framework Act, or any relevant Government Department confirming the skills or qualifications of the applicant and appropriate post qualification experience.
  • If required by law, proof of application for a certificate of registration with the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA in terms of Section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualification Framework Act; and 
  • Proof of evaluation of the foreign qualification by SAQA and translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the Republic