South Africa: Critical Skills List 2022 revision in force; further review consultation ongoing

Who it affects

Critical Skills Work Visa applicants.

Sources

Primary: Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗

Verified 2026-04-19 · methodology · report a correction

Related changes in South Africa

More recent updates

In force 30 Sept 2025

In force Visa & immigration

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) pilot launched

DHA launched an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) pilot programme from late 2025 — applying initially to select visa-exempt countries as a pre-travel online authorisation (similar to ESTA or ETIAS). Expected to streamline border processing and enhance security screening. Full rollout expected through 2026.

Who it affects: Visa-exempt short-term visitors from specific participating countries.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · South African Government ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

Announced 15 Jun 2025

Announced Visa & immigration

Critical Skills List review announced for publication in 2026

Minister Schreiber announced a comprehensive Critical Skills List review in 2025, with consultation with business and labour-market stakeholders. Publication of the revised list is expected during 2026. Likely to add emerging-technology occupations (AI, quantum, advanced manufacturing) and potentially refine healthcare and engineering sub-categories.

Who it affects: Current and future Critical Skills Work Visa applicants.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Mar 2025

In force Visa & immigration

Remote Work Visa added to Immigration Regulations; launched March 2025

The Remote Work Visa was officially added to SA's Immigration Regulations on 28 March 2024; publicly launched by Minister Schreiber on 9 October 2024; applications fully operational from March 2025. 12-month initial visa, renewable annually up to 3 years. Income threshold ZAR 650,976/year (reduced from initially-proposed ZAR 1M).

Who it affects: Non-SA remote workers earning ZAR 650,976+/year.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · Government Gazette ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 23 Jan 2025

In force Other

Expropriation Act enacted — constitutional property framework updated

The Expropriation Act signed into law on 23 January 2025 replaced apartheid-era expropriation legislation with a framework aligned to the post-1996 constitution. Permits expropriation at zero compensation in specific circumstances (abandoned land, speculative land, state land). Does not affect standard foreign real-estate ownership but the political symbolism has been contested; mover-relevant for property-investor visa applicants.

Who it affects: Primarily relevant to property investors; tangentially to foreign buyers.

Government Gazette ↗ · South African Government ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Dec 2024

In force Residency

DHA digital visa system rollout under Minister Schreiber

Minister Schreiber's major modernisation commitment launched in late 2024 — phased rollout of a fully digital visa and permit application system, integrated online appointment scheduling, and standardised turnaround-time targets. Material operational improvement across most visa categories through 2025, though backlog clearance from the pre-2024 era continues.

Who it affects: All visa and permit applicants processing through DHA.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · South African Government ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Sept 2024

In force Taxation

Two-Pot Retirement Reform in force

The Two-Pot Retirement Reform took effect on 1 September 2024 — restructuring SA retirement-fund access into a "savings pot" (one-third of contributions, accessible during employment) and a "retirement pot" (two-thirds, preserved until retirement). Material for foreign workers contributing to SA pension funds — changes the liquidity of accumulated pension savings.

Who it affects: All SA tax residents with pension funds, including foreign workers.

South African Revenue Service ↗ · verified 2026-04-19