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| 1. What is meant by scarce and critical skills, and the quota work permits? |
| These are skills that the country needs to facilitate economic growth but does not have enough of. Special work permits (i.e. quota work permits) were therefore
created in order to allow foreign individuals with these skills to work in our country |
| 2. How do I know if I qualify for a quota work permit? |
| You need to verify whether your profession or competency field falls within the schedule of categories that is published for that year.
You also need to meet the proper qualification requirements (i.e education and experience) |
| 3. Where can I find more information about quota work permits and the application process |
| Visit the Departmental website at: www.dha.gov.za , or contact
the Customer Service Centre at National: 0800 60 1190 ,
International: +2711 461 9252
or e-mail: skills@dha.gov.za |
| 4. How much does it cost to apply for a quota work permit? |
| R1520 (ZAR) payable in your local currency (subject to change without notice) |
| 5. How long does it take for the quota work permit to be issued? |
| About 6 to 8 weeks |
| 6. What are the conditions imposed on a quota work permit? |
| That employment be secured within 90 days |
| That the bearer reports to Home affairs every year |
| 7. How long is a quota work permit valid for? |
| A quota work permit is open-ended and remains valid as long as the person stays employed within the same category or profession it was applied and approved for. |
| 8. If I have enough experience in one of the fields but no formal qualifications, can I still apply for a quota work permit? |
| You need to meet all the requirements of the scarce skills quota permit. |
| If not you may consider applying for general work permit |
| 9. How can I get / keep in contact with the Department of Home Affairs relating to my application? |
| By contacting your nearest mission/office or representative of the Department |
| 10. If I work for company A, am I allowed to move to company B? |
| Yes, as long as one stays employed in the same occupational category |
| 11. Where can I apply for a quota work permit? |
| At the nearest office/mission of the Department. |
| Alternatively you may contact the Customer Service Centre at National: 0800 60 1190 ,
International: +2711 461 9252 or e-mail: skills@dha.gov.za for assistance. |
| 12. I have been working for five years in RSA on a quota work permit. Do I qualify for Permanent Residence? |
| Yes, The Director-General may issue a permanent residence permit to a foreigner who has been the holder of a (quota) work permit for five years in terms of the Immigration Act and has proven to the satisfaction of the Director-General that he or she has secured employment. |
| 13. If I came to RSA on a quota work permit, am I allowed to bring my family? |
| One is allowed to bring the family as they automatically qualify but the family still need to apply for the temporary residence permit. |
| 14. What if I’m in the country on another type of permit, can I apply for the Quota Work Permit? |
| Yes, for people who are in the country on another type of work permit. |
| However, people who are in the country on a tourist visa have to go back to their country of origin to apply. |
| 15. What happens after 90 days (quota permits expiring) and I still haven’t found a job? |
| You can apply for an extension of the 90 days. E-mail skills@dha.gov.za and give a motivation. |
| 16. Is there a specific place/employment agency that recruits people with quota permits? |
| Home Affairs does not offer employment nor does it facilitate employment for individuals with quota work permits. The Department of Labour is currently working on a project for companies and prospective employees to “meet and match”. |
| 17. Whom do I contact if I want to follow up on my application for a work permit? |
| One may contact the mission/office/representative of Home Affairs where the initial application was submitted or; |
Contact the Customer Service Centre
at National: 0800 60 1190 ,
International: +2711 461 9252 |
| Or e-mail: skills@dha.gov.za |
| 18. Where do I found out which quota permits are still available? |
| Visit the www.dha.gov.za website which will be updated monthly or call the helpdesk |
| 19. When is the new schedule of quotas released? |
| This comes out once a year (scheduled for November) and this information is released through publication of the Government Gazette as well as Departmental website |
| 20. What if my quota does not appear in a new schedule of quotas? Am I supposed to leave the country? |
| No, as long as one is still employed in the same category of profession that one has applied and got approval for. |
| 21. What are the suggested changes to the legislation currently in the pipeline? |
| 4 years intra-company transfer work permit |
| Six months instead of three months as the initial period to find work while on the quota work permit |
| 22. I have 25 years of professional experience, but I lost my diploma. Am I eligible to apply for the quota work permit? |
| Yes, one can still apply, but you still need to get a copy/duplicate of your diploma |
| 23. I have professional experience in one field and education in another (both part of the quotas). Which one do I use to apply for the quota work permit? |
| One has to apply for the category where proof of qualification can be provided |
| 24. My quota work permit has an expiry date. However, I was under the impression that a quota work permit does not expire. |
| Quota work permit documents are issued for a five year period but are automatically renewed. |
| 25. Is it allowed to change from one category to the another?. If so what procedure should one follow? |
| Same procedure as a new work permit |
| 26. How does the Department determine which skills are scares and critical to facilitate to the economical growth? |
| The Minister of Home Affairs, after consultation with the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Trade and Industry determines the quotas for specific professional categories. |
| 27. Can people, who need help with other kinds of work permits, use the scarce skills Helpdesk- or is it just for scarce skills quota work permits? |
| The Helpdesk is specifically for scarce skills. However, queries relating to other types of work permits can be directed to the helpdesk and will be further dispatched |
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