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Pathway

South Africa Company Transfer Visa

South Africa Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

If you already work for an overseas company, you can apply for a temporary transfer to its South African branch or related company. You need at least six months of employment with the overseas company before applying, and both companies must support the transfer.

Who can apply
An existing overseas employee transferring within the company group
Prior employment
At least six months with the overseas company before applying
South African host
A branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the overseas company

Summary

South Africa’s intra-company transfer route is for an existing overseas employee with at least six months’ prior service, moving to a related South African branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. The host must provide the required undertakings for the assignment. This is a transfer of an existing employee, rather than an ordinary new local hire.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Document the six months of prior employment and the relationship between the overseas company and its South African branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. The transfer must be real; a company connection alone is not enough.

Both companies must provide transfer letters. The South African host must make the required written commitments and provide a plan to transfer skills. Prepare the employee's required personal documents as well.

Transferring to a South African company office
  1. Confirm the qualifying transfer Check six months of overseas employment and the company relationship.
  2. Prepare both companies’ records Include transfer letters, host commitments, and the skills plan.
  3. Apply for the transfer visa Follow the approved role and four-year maximum.

The visa is for a temporary company transfer and cannot be renewed.

What This Route Allows

You can live and work temporarily in South Africa in the approved transferred role for up to four years. The visa is not renewable.

What This Route Is Not

This is different from the general work points route and the remote-work visa. It does not automatically lead to permanent residence, and it requires qualifying prior employment as well as an actual transfer within the company group.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm the overseas employment history, relationship between the companies, and proposed transfer.
  2. Gather both transfer letters, the host's written commitments and skills-transfer plan, and personal records.
  3. Apply through the responsible mission or authorized channel, and follow the approved role and nonrenewable four-year maximum.

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Discussed in these reports

Similar employment pathways in other destinations.

Sources