There are three commoon types of Work Permit
General
Inter Company Transfer and
Quota Work permits

General Work Permits
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Under the General Work Permit there are very strict requirements. The South
African government, although trying to promote work and trade in South
Africa, recognise the need to give South Africans the chance to get work
before any foreigner.

You will have to prove that you are the only person who can fill that
position and that no other South African can play that role. This is done by
placing an advert in a national newspaper advertising the position. If
noone applies, the chances of you getting the position are that much
greater.

You will also have to have a job offer/contract from your future employer.

Intra Company Transfer
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The conditions become alot more relaxed with the Intra Company Transfer
where your local company sends you to South Africa on a contractual
arrangement to join up with the same company but on South African soil

Quota Work Permits ( Exceptional Skills ) Download the list/government gazette here ( Updated: 25th April 2007 ) *** Please wait a while for the download to come through ***
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There is a mandatory 5 years experience necessary and the applicant is granted a 3 month work permit.
Once the applicant is in the country he/she has 3 months to seek employment. Once he/she has found employment,
Home Affairs must be notified.