DESTINATION GUIDANCE · SOUTH AFRICA
Planning technical work
in South Africa?
Before preparing applications, check what each employee will be doing, how long they will stay and which requirements apply to them.
Three questions to check
before applying
Sources checked 7 September 2026.
1. What will the employee actually do?
Attending meetings is different from carrying out technical work. South African mission guidance identifies specific authorisation under section 11(2) for short-term work, including service technicians and trainers. Do not assume that permission to visit also permits the planned work.
Source: South African Embassy in Germany.
2. How long will each individual assignment last?
A construction project can run for several months while individual assignments are shorter. The High Commission’s section 11(2) guidance describes a maximum 90-day period and requires the specific activities and duration. A longer project schedule does not establish permission for each employee to work throughout it.
Source: South African High Commission in Canberra. Local application procedures must not be assumed to apply in other countries.
3. Where will each person apply?
Visitor exemptions depend on the passport and travel purpose. Employees on the same project may therefore need different preparation. Nationality and country of residence help identify which mission’s instructions need to be checked. See the embassy’s guidance on visitor exemptions and work.
How SIMVI can help
We coordinate project information and individual supporting documents within the agreed scope. Start with the work involved, destination, approximate team size and dates. We confirm the support available before work begins.
General planning information, not an individual eligibility decision. The applicable route and current requirements must be checked for each applicant.
PLANNING A TEAM ASSIGNMENT?