14 Jul Employment Background Checks for Permanent Residency in terms of section 27(b) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002

Due to a rise in CV fraud, background checks have grown in popularity in South Africa in recent years. Background checks are increasingly a must for companies doing business in South Africa in order to minimise risk and safeguard their reputations and personnel.

When hiring a potential employee, doing an employment background check enables companies to make the most knowledgeable and secure selection possible. Having thorough and verifiable information makes determining whether to forward candidacies or halt them much easier, saving your future problems, regardless of whether the material discovered from a background check is clear or incriminating. In either case, a background check is quite helpful for companies as they move through the recruiting process.

According to South African labour laws, background checks must be relevant to the job that an applicant is applying for. Obtaining consent from the applicant is important before processing personal information when gathering data for background screening purposes.

Moreso, the Department of Home Affairs now requires an employment background check to be done for any application done for permanent residency based on exceptional skills – ie – an application in terms of section 27(b) of the Immigration Act.

The biggest background checking and vetting business in Southern Africa is called MIE – who also happens to be one of the preferred employment verification checks that the Department of Home Affairs requests utilisation from.

MIE provides in-country services in more than 30 African countries, and is the partner of choice to advise and assist customers with all their candidate and commercial background screening and vetting requirements due to the company’s trusted and innovative smart vetting solutions and vast industry experience.

Why are background checks required?

The overall goal of the procedure is typically to:

• Make sure a candidate is who they claim to be
• Verify the accuracy of the candidate’s assertions regarding their education, experience, or other professional credentials
• Ensure their personality and skills match the requirements of the position
• Comply with statutory requirements of the Immigration Act and its corresponding regulations

Most widely conducted background checks performed by MIE:

• Qualification verification
• Criminal record checks
• Credit checks
• Previous employment history and reference checks
• Identity checks

Background checks are the main advantage of preventing the problem of hiring or using an unsuitable person or company. Failure to screen might result in higher expenses and hazards as a result of dishonest, inaccurate, or purposeful omission of information by the individual or organisation.

Screening potential workers throughout the recruiting process is increasingly normal practice to reduce risks for businesses wanting to hire personnel.