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A work-seeker's permit should be obtained for the purpose of entering the RSA to assess employment opportunities available in the applicant's field and attending interviews with prospective employers with a view to procuring a fixed offer of employment commensurate with his/her qualifications and experience/signing of an employment contract. Applicants must be in possession of at least one (1) or more job offer.
The Department of Labour and other relevant authorities will be consulted when considering such applications in order to ensure that there is a definite labour shortage in the particular profession/occupational field, thus attempting to both alleviate the present unemployment problem and ensuring that prospective work-seekers are qualified and able to contribute to the South African economy, as well as possibly qualifying for permanent residence. These applications will be considered by the Department's Head Office, in consultation with regions, and therefore applicants should indicate the specific region where employment is sought.
The field of employment as indicated on the approved work-seeker's permit may not be altered. If the work-seeker decides that he/she is interested in pursuing any other occupation other than the field specified on his/her work-seeker's permit, he/she will be obliged to return to his/her country of residence and re-apply for a temporary work permit from abroad.
The general application form BI-159: A and supplementary form BI-159: B must be submitted, as well as certified copies of the applicant's highest educational and any additional qualifications plus testimonials or certificates of employment from previous employers must be attached to the appropriate space allocated on form BI-159: A, along with the other documentary requirements as specified.
Once in possession of a firm offer of employment (employment offer on a commission or part-time basis is not acceptable), application should be made for a work permit and only after this has been issued to the applicant for a specific period and purpose may he/she commence employment. This application may be lodged with any regional or district office of the Department of Home Affairs, in the RSA.
It must be emphasized that work-seekers' permits are granted for a period of three (3) months and applications for extensions will only be authorized for short periods under exceptional circumstances.
Photographs
Photographs must comply to the following specifications:
The photographs must be: - two identical colour photos for passports
- two identical colour or black and white photos for IDs
- not more than one (1) month old
- 35mm in width and 45mm in height
- a close-up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70 – 80% of the photograph
- of high quality with no ink marks or creases and not damaged
- show you looking directly at the camera
- have appropriate brightness and contrast
- be printed on high-quality photo paper
- show your natural colour
- show your eyes open and clearly visible - no hair across your face
- show you facing square onto the camera, not looking over one shoulder (portrait style) or tilted
- show both edges of your face clearly
- be taken with a light grey or plain cream-coloured background
- be taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows or flash reflections on your face and no red-eye
- show you alone (no chair backs, toys or other people visible)
The Director-General may reject the copies of the photographs if they do not, in his or her judgment, comply with the requirements mentioned above, or if he or she deem them unsuitable in other respects, in which case the person concerned shall provide two new copies at his or her own cost.
Identity document and passport photographs could be taken at regional or district offices equipped for this service, at a cost of R13-00 for a frame of four black and white photographs.
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