The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa that issues business permits, work permits, spousal and life partner permits, relatives permits and retired permits has recently announced a fresh work permit allocation.
Designed in consideration of the skills requirements that can be offered by immigrants desiring to move to South Africa.
Business permit quota list
South Africa is well versed in the need to secure business and merchants have a connection to the required skills, more than ever with the growing investment occurring for the 2010 world cup.
Whilst South Africa's education system is first class and developed work force, it is known that in a few professions there is a talent shortage. To assist the migration development under the work permit sector the Department of Home Affairs regularly considers which qualifications are lacking and produces a quota work permit requirements document. This allows people interested in emigrating to apply for a work permit which in turn means the potential immigrant can consider a work permit before getting an offer of employment, in essence simplifying the overall application process.
Which skills are needed?
After comprehensive deliberation between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and feedback from the major South African companies, Home Affairs released the most up to date directory of deficient occupations in 2007. Potential immigrants looking for work in these occupations can apply for permits allowing them to reside and work in South Africa.
Reflecting the reality of economic growth in South Africa the Department of Home Affairs concentrates on technical and engineering skills. In fact any Industrial engineer will qualify, but it remains well worth to look at the skills in demand in some detail.
Because public and private investments in core projects foreigners with experience in the construction industry are required the most. Amongst the quota occupations are Draftsperson, Structural Engineers, Civil Engineers, CAD technicians, Civil engineering technicians and technologists. Also in the manufacturing professions the Department of Home Affairs is looking for quotas for skills such as Pipeline Engineers, Manufacturing Technicians, Mechanical Draughtsperson and Technicians, Hydraulics and Pneumatics Technicians, Mechanical Engineers, Quality Engineers and Inspectors and Refrigeration Engineers. In the aviation industry immigrants with qualifications such as Aeronautical Engineers, Avionics Engineers and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are encouraged to consider the quota work permit. In the electronics sector, South Africa is looking for technicians that are experienced as Electrical and Mechatronics Technicians, Electronic Engineers, Electronics Technicians, Autotronics and Electromechanical Technicians. Recently the Department, also requested certain skilled laborers that can apply for immigration among them are precision metal workers and millwrights, boilermakers, coded welders, toolmakers, fitters and turners.
In other areas the Department has recognised the need for BPO for economic stability and has included Contact Centre Managers and Call Centre under the quota system. Among the information and organisation professionals especially positions for economists, statisticians, actuaries and risk assessors are securable for quota professions.
The mining industry is of equal importance for the South African economy. This is demonstrated by the fact that Home Affairs offers immigrants in the professions Geologists, Geophysicists, Mining Engineering and Earth Science Technicians the ability to have residence and work permits.
Other industrial professionals covered are agriculture and forestry, pharmacology, biotechnology and food technology, astronomy, the chemical industry. Finally South Africa seems to be experiencing a lack of talent in Maths and Science Teachers and Jewellery Makers.
It is important to note that Home Affairs will check if the potential immigrant has the correct skills as well as five years of relevant work experience before granting the quota work permit for South Africa.
Stuart James is a Client Relationship Manager at
Intergate Immigration South Africa for information please visit www.south-africa-immigration.com
