The South African Department of Home Affairs that issues business permits, work permits, spousal and life partner permits, retired permits and relatives permits has just published a fresh work permit allowance.

Designed in consideration of the shortage of skills that can be filled by immigrants hoping to move to South Africa.

Business permit allotment

South Africa intimately familiar with the obligation to ensure that business and commerce has a connection to the correct skills in demand, more than ever with the gigantic investment occurring for the world cup in 2010.

Whilst South Africa's education system is first class and reliable work force, it is recognised that in some avocations there is a skills shortage. To aid the migration process under the work permit category the Department of Home Affairs regularly considers what qualifications are required and releases a quota work permit requirements document. This quota list allows immigrants to apply for a work permit which means the potential immigrant can consider a work permit before getting an offer of employment, effectively simplifying the overall immigration application process.

What professional are wanted?

After comprehensive consideration between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and feedback from the major South African companies, Home Affairs published the most up to date list of deficient occupations in May 2007. Prospective immigrants looking for employment in these areas can apply for permits enabling them to reside and work in South Africa.

Notably and reflecting the reality of economic growth in South Africa the Department of Home Affairs focuses very much on technical and engineering professions. So much so that any Industrial engineer will qualify, but it remains well worth to look at the skills in demand in some detail.

Due to private and public investments in core projects immigrants with experience in the construction industry are most sought after. Amongst the quota occupations are Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, Draftsperson, CAD technicians, Civil engineering technicians and technologists. In the manufacturing professions the Department of Home Affairs offers quotas for jobs such as Hydraulics and Pneumatics Technicians, Mechanical Engineers, Quality Engineers and Inspectors, Pipeline Engineers, Refrigeration Engineer, Manufacturing Technicians, Mechanical Draughtsperson and Technicians. In the aviation industry immigrants with backgrounds such as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Avionics Engineers and Aeronautical Engineers are invited to apply for the quota work permit. In the electronics sector, South Africa requires staff that are qualified as Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Electromechanical Technicians, Electronics Technicians, Autotronics and Mechatronics Technicians, Electricians. Recently the Department, also requested certain artisans that can apply for immigration such as precision metal workers, fitters and turners, toolmakers, boilermakers, coded welders and millwrights.

In other areas the Department has recognised the importance of BPO for employment stability and has included Contact Centre Managers and Call Centre under the quota system too. Among the information and organisation professionals notably jobs for economists, statisticians, actuaries and risk assessors are accessible for quota professions.

The mining industry is of need for the South African economy. This is proven by the fact that Home Affairs offers immigrants in Geologists, Geophysicists, Mining Engineering and Earth Science Technicians the ability to get work and residence permits.

Other industrial areas covered are agriculture and forestry, biotechnology, pharmacology, astronomy, the chemical industry and food technology. South Africa seems to be experiencing a lack of talent among Maths and Science Teachers and Jewellery Makers.

It is important to note that Home Affairs will investigate if the potential immigrant has the correct qualifications and five years of work experience before offering a quota work permit.

About the Author

Stuart James is a Client Relationship Manager at Intergate Immigration South Africa for information please visit www.south-africa-immigration.com