Trusted Employer Scheme introduced

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The South African government has introduced the Trusted Employer Scheme, allowing eligible companies to obtain work visas more quickly for highly skilled foreign nationals.

Key Points:

• A company must demonstrate its financial capacity to employ a foreign national, its commitment to training programs for South African citizens and its status as a responsible corporate entity to qualify for the TES. Specific requirements include:
  • Making a 500 million ZAR (about US$26.3 million) investment.
  • Employing at least 500 employees, 60% of whom must be South African nationals.
  • Being in an industry that is of national priority or strategic importance.
  • Showing proof of an existing Skills Transfer Program or Graduate Development Program.
  • Having gross revenue of at least 35 million ZAR.
• Authorities have not opened applications to TES at this time; once opened, employers will have 30 days to apply for the program.

Additional Information: South African authorities will initially accept only 100 companies for TES. After a 100-day review period, authorities plan to allow more companies to register for TES.

BAL Analysis: The South African government introduced the Trusted Employer Scheme to attract skilled workers and manage immigration, particularly in cases where high volumes of applications need to be processed. Companies that participate in the program can benefit from priority processing of their visa applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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