23 May Applying for the SA Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa

Are you an employee working for an international company? Occasionally, multinational organisations may decide to transfer an existing employee from a foreign company to a South African branch, subsidiary, or affiliate company. At June Luna, we offer immigration assistance to South Africa to make your transition as smooth as it can be!

If you find yourself in a situation where your company decides to transfer you to a different branch based in South Africa, you can apply for an Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Visa. This type of work visa allows a staff member to transfer from an international company to a branch or an affiliate of that company in South Africa.

The ICT visa is designed for foreign employees of multinational corporations, enabling them to live and work in South Africa for a specified duration. There are different ways to immigrate to South Africa, which makes choosing the right visa option important. This visa option is particularly advantageous for multinational organisations, as it offers a straightforward temporary immigration pathway for their staff to relocate to the country.

What are the benefits of an ICT Work Visa?

• • The intra-company transfer work visa has a four-year validity period and is not renewable.
  • The visa allows foreign employees of organisations to work in South Africa at the locally based entity.
  • Qualifications verification by SAQA or professional body registration is not required.
  • Visa holders can exit and re-enter the country freely during the validity of their visa.
  • There is no need for skill verification or assessments by the Department of Employment and Labour.

How to qualify for an ICT Work Visa?

Applicants for this type of visa should be able to demonstrate that they have worked for this foreign entity for at least six months and provide proof of employment in the form of an employment contract. A skills transfer plan outlining how the organisation intends to transfer similar skills from the foreign employee to a South African citizen or permanent resident must be included in the application for the Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa.

Other requirements related to this visa include a valid passport, proof of employment with the foreign company, as well as letters from both the South African and foreign entity confirming the employee transfer.

However, employees should take note that the intra-company transfer option is only valid if the employee is required in South Africa for a maximum of four years. In the case where the employee is required for more than this maximum amount of time, it would be advisable to consult with our immigration attorneys.

As this visa is not renewable or extendable within South Africa, if you are an employee in the country on an ICT visa and wish to stay in SA for longer, you are welcome to contact our dedicated team of immigration experts at June Luna Immigration Attorneys, where we will guide you and provide you with the necessary legal advice and a selection of alternative visa options.