Ministry of Internal Affairs launches expedited visa program prioritizing tech specialists

The first of three assessment pathways, designed for operations based in South Africa, evaluates applicants based on four criteria out of 100 points: investment commitments (30 points), employment (25 points), economic sector (25 points), and skills transfer (20 points). To qualify, a company must score a minimum of 80 points.

Benefits for the technology sector

The technology industry will benefit from the sector criterion. The gazette provides 15 points for companies in manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, services, and raw material industries, but companies in the energy sector or 'strategic integrated projects' can receive the maximum of 25 points. These projects are defined as covering 'energy, transport, water management, and digital communications.' Applicants must provide a certificate from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition confirming their field of activity.

Under the employment criterion, a company must have at least 100 employees, with at least 60% being South African citizens or permanent residents. If the staff exceeds 150 people while maintaining the same ratio, 25 points are awarded. Companies with fewer than 100 employees receive zero points for this metric, which excludes most local startups from the program.

Investment requirements

The investment factor requires fixed capital investments exceeding 100 million rand, excluding operating expenses, either through commitments to the South African Conference or as proven investments since 2018. Investments between 100 and 200 million rand yield 20 points, and amounts over 200 million rand yield 30 points.

The second pathway targets companies that manage or commit to establishing a regional or global headquarters in South Africa within 12 months. This pathway places the strongest emphasis on financial contribution, awarding it 50 points. This requires cumulative corporate income tax and PAYE contributions to SARS exceeding 500 million rand over the last two tax years. Companies that have not yet established an office can apply by providing an auditor's report confirming a budget exceeding 500 million rand.

The third pathway, new for Phase 2, covers so-called synthetic financial centres in South Africa's financial sector. It depends on approval from the Reserve Bank's Financial Sector Conduct Authority. This pathway directs visa applications through the 'SFC Visa Facilitation Office,' which must confirm that 'all proposed roles align with qualifying OFO codes in the critical skills list, including any additions proposed and accepted' by the internal department, and that the applicant has passed the preliminary assessment against the department's points-based work visa system.

Expert opinion on the program

Richard Firth, CEO of MIP Holdings Software, noted that the scoring systems reflect the true intent of the scheme. According to him, 'the scoring systems clearly show that this is not just immigration policy, it is investment policy.' He emphasized that significant capital investments, large corporate tax contributions, and the establishment of regional headquarters receive high rewards. The government is essentially stating: if you contribute significantly to South Africa, we will facilitate your ability to attract the necessary people to grow your business.

Firth previously argued that the South African regulatory environment encouraged multinational corporations to outsource local skills abroad rather than invest in them domestically. He believes Phase 2 partially addresses this issue. 'By rewarding companies that establish regional headquarters, invest significant capital, and create jobs here, South Africa becomes a more attractive place for global business expansion. This creates more high-paying jobs for South Africans and increases the likelihood that talented professionals will stay in the country instead of seeking work abroad.'

However, Firth questioned how the gazette assesses skills transfer. This factor is worth 20 out of 100 points in the first pathway but is entirely absent among the four factors in the headquarters pathway and carries five points in the financial sector assessment system, where the commitment is to hire at least five South African citizens or permanent residents within 24 months of commencing operations.

The importance of knowledge transfer

Firth asked: 'The real question is whether we are using immigration to build local capacity or simply to fill immediate gaps.' He noted that skills transfer is worth 20 points under the investment route but disappears completely for companies establishing regional or global headquarters, where the dominant metric becomes tax contribution. 'Long-term economic success depends on retaining knowledge within the country. Every specialist entering the country should leave South Africa with greater local potential than existed before their arrival. The faster visa process should be seen as an accelerator of skill development, not a replacement for it.'

The owner of the job portal Pnet stated that the scheme will help employers facing labor shortages but pointed to its limited scope. The portal reported that 'the scheme is primarily designed for large employers who can demonstrate significant investment, skills development, and economic contribution.' He added that many small businesses may struggle to benefit directly from the program despite acute challenges in hiring and retaining specialized talent.

Pnet also noted that benefits may eventually extend to 'smaller enterprises competing with large companies for the same talent but unable to match their salaries, benefits packages, or career opportunities.'

The future of the visa system

The department announced that Phase 2 includes a dedicated online application process, which will eventually be integrated into a world-class Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) platform. Schreiber stated in February that the department intends to channel all visa processing through ETA and eliminate manual processing by the end of the current administration in 2029.

In his statement, Schreiber noted: 'The launch of a larger and better TES is another marker that the department is increasingly acting as an economic catalyst, not a constraint.'

The gazette clearly defines who the scheme is not intended for: its stated goal is to simplify the processing of applications for 'senior executives, technical personnel, corporate employees, and investors.' It explicitly states that it is 'not intended for unskilled and low-wage labor.' The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is September 4, 2026, with results expected within 30 working days after that date. Successful applicants will be required to sign a memorandum of agreement with the department.