How can a Malawian get a work permit in South Africa?

South Africa is a popular destination for many foreigners who would like to visit or be employed in the country and thus citizens from Malawi are always seeking employment opportunities in the country. In 2020 Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera requested that the SA government introduce special immigration visas for his citizens that are employed in SA.

The process for applying for a work permit in South Africa is a daunting process and foreign applicants are often confused about where they should start.

Not all applicants will qualify for a visa to be employed.

They are certain requirements that must be met to be issued a visa to work.

You cannot apply for a work visa if you are on a visit visa in South Africa, these are the different South Africa visa types.

Foreign nationals must be aware of not being scammed and getting a fake visa.

How long can I stay in SA?

Malawi citizens fall part of the visa-exempt countries for South Africa, meaning they do not have to apply for a visit visa when they would like to visit as a tourist or for business purposes and they would receive 30 days. The Department of Home Affairs is constantly changing the list so you should ensure that Malawi is visa exempt from South Africa.

However, a visit visa holder may not apply for a change of status in SA. This means that if they have secured employment in the country with a visitor’s visa status, they have to travel back to Malawi to apply for the visa at the SA embassy, diplomatic mission or consulate.

Today we discuss how you can secure a visa.

If you are from Zimbabwe then our article work permits for Zimbabweans in South Africa will give you all the information you need.

South African work permit requirements for Malawi citizens

These are the prerequisites to qualify for one of the following work visas:

Critical Skills Visa:

• Occupation must be listed on the critical skills occupation list
• Must have a job offer
• You have registered your occupation with a professional body or council
• Your qualifications have been assessed by the South Africa Qualifications Authority

The critical skills visa is meant for foreign nationals whose occupation is sorely needed in South Africa.

Corporate Workers Visa:

If a corporate company has a corporate visa and you have secured a job with them then you qualify for the corporate worker’s visa.

• The company must have the corporate visa
• You must have secured employment with them
• Qualifications assessed by the South African Qualifications Authority.

The corporate work visa cannot renew the visa or apply for a change of status in SA. This means that once your residence visa is about to expire, you have to then leave the country.

General Work Visa:

This visa is issued to applicants who can fill a position that a South African citizen or permanent residency holder cannot fill.

Your employer needs to prove that have exhausted all avenues in first finding a South African citizen or permanent residency holder.

• The employer has completed the Department of Labour process to obtain the final notification letter
• You have been offered the job
• You have an offer letter and contract of employment which is in line with the Department of Labour standards
• Qualifications assessed by the South African Qualifications Authority.

Intra-Company Transfer Visa:

If you are employed at a multinational company that has an office in Malawi and SA then you can transfer from one office to another.

• The branch in SA must be a branch, affiliate or subsidiary.
• You must have been employed at the Malawian branch, affiliate or subsidiary for 6 months or more.
• Must have transfer skills plan in place to show that your skills will be transferred to a SA citizen or permanent residence holder.

You cannot renew this visa and cannot qualify for permanent residency.

What are the required documents to apply from Malawi?

These are the documents needed:

• Duly completed DHA-1738 form
• A valid passport which expires 30 days after your intended departure date.
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are travelling through a yellow fever endemic area.
• Original police clearance for each country you have lived in since the age of 18 and must not be older than 6 months at the time of submission.
• A yellow vaccination certificate if you have or intend on travelling through a yellow fever endemic area.
• A medical report not older than 6 months at the time of submission.
• A radiological report not older than 6 months at the time of submission. Children under the age of 12 and pregnant women are exempt from applying for this.
• SAQA certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority

If you are adding a spouse to your working application:

• Marriage certificate issued from the proper authorities of your country.
• A spousal affidavit if you are in a relationship or married to a SA citizen or permanent resident.
• A cohabitation agreement proves cohabitation, shared financial responsibilities and the setting out of the particulars of children.
• A divorce decree if applicable
• Death certificate in respect of a late spouse

If you are adding minor children to your working application:

• A court order granting full or specific parental responsibilities and rights if applicable
• Written consent from both parents and full parental responsibilities if applicable
• Proof of adoption if applicable

Written Undertaking from the employer for a working application:

• A written letter from your employer accepting responsibility for the costs of deportation for your and your family should the need arise.
• A written letter from your employer ensuring the Department of Home Affairs that your passport will always be valid at all times.
• Full particulars of your employer, including the proof of registration of the employer’s business with the Commission on Intellectual Property and Companies (CIPC).
• A written letter from your employer to inform the Director-General should you not comply with the provisions of the act or the conditions of the visa.
• A written letter from your employer to inform the Director-General if you are no longer employed by your employer or employed in a different capacity or role.

Extra Documentation for Critical Skills Visa working application:

• Proof of membership and letter confirming your critical skills from the professional body, council or board which is recognized by the South African Qualifications Authority.
• Proof that your occupation is listed on the critical skills occupation list.
• A valid contract from your employer.

Extra Documentation for a Corporate Workers Visa working application:

• Original Corporate Worker Authorization Certificate.
• A valid contract from your employer.

Extra Documentation for General Work Visa

• A final visa notification from the Department of Labour
• A contract of employment stipulating the conditions of employment which have been signed by you and your employer.

Extra Documentation for an Intra-Company Transfer Visa

• Your contract from abroad is older than 6 months.
• A letter from your employer abroad confirming that you are being transferred from a branch, subsidiary or affiliate to the SA branch.
• A transfer of skills to a SA citizen or permanent resident holder.

How Much is an SA visa in Malawi?

The are various costs for the visa:

There are very other important costs that need paying when you are applying, How much does a work permit cost in South Africa?

• Critical Visa – R 1520.00
• Corporate Workers Visa – R 1520.00
• General Visa – R 1520.00
• Intra-Company Visa – R 1520.00

What are the SA embassy details in Malawi?

There is a SA Commission in Malawi (Lilongwe)

Address: 3rd floor, Kang Ombe House, Robert Mugabe Crescent, Lilongwe

Telephone: (+265) 1 773 722 / 597 / 036

Fax: (+265) 1 772 571

Email: sahc@malawi.net or lilongwe.dha@dirco.gov.za

Website: They have no website

Facebook page: Lilongwe High Commission Facebook Page

Services Available: Visa, Passport and Consular services.