As the world is gearing up to re-open, post the Covid-19 pandemic, multinational companies are again looking to the South African market. Some with existing operations requiring resources to enter the country; while others are exploring the possibility of establishing themselves or possibly using South Africa as a gateway to expand into the ever growing Africa market at what many view as “an opportune time”.
Most multinational organisations, during these early stages, or as part of their legacy, use this expansion as an opportunity to second executive or technical resources to South Africa, to overview the operations or to fill a technical or skills gap.
The organisation should note, that where they are looking to send such existing resources within their group to South Africa, this can be done on an Intra Company Transfer visa. The main purpose of the visa is to allow multinational groups to transfer key resources within the group where they are needed while upskilling local employees during their assignment.
The Intra Company Transfer work visa therefore makes it possible for the global multinational companies to grow their branch/affiliate in South Africa, while providing the needed skills training for their local employees, which may be viewed as a win–win for both the organisation and South Africa.
8 Handy Tips when considering an Intra Company Transfer Work Visa:
- To qualify for the visa, the applicant needs to have been employed for a minimum of six (6) months with the foreign company;
- The visa will be issued for a period not exceeding four (4) years and may not be extended;
- Should the services of the expatriate be required after the four (4) year term, they may apply for a new visa from their home country or country of temporary residence, the issuance of the second (2nd ) Intra Company Transfer visa is solely at the discretion of the SA Mission and subject to the motivation provided;
- A skills transfer plan is required as proof that a strategy is in place to upskill local employees;
- The Intra Company Transfer visa is issued with multiple entries, which means that the holder may travel in and out of SA for the duration of the visa, as required;
- The holder of the Intra Company Transfer visa may be accompanied by their family members, who will have to apply for the relevant dependent visas, linked to the Intra Company Transfer visa such as a spousal, accompanying child or study visa;
- Should a holder of an Intra Company Transfer visa wish to change their status and obtain a different visa, they are not permitted to change the visa from within SA, they will have to travel back to their home country or country of temporary residence do so; and
- The duration of an Intra Company Transfer Visa will not count towards Permanent Residency status.
In comparison to the other work visas offered by the South African Immigration Act, the Intra Company Transfer visa is by far the least onerous where processes are followed in accordance with the requirement of the specific issuing authority. Applications typically take 5 weeks end-to-end and offer a practical solution to many multinational groups.
Should you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
在Covid-19疫情全球大流行之后,世界正准备重新开放,跨国公司再次将目光投向了南非市场。 一些现有业务需要资源进入该国; 而另一些人则在探索建立自己的可能性,或者在许多人认为是“时机恰当的时候”的情况下,利用南非作为进入不断增长的非洲市场的门户。
大多数跨国组织在这些早期阶段或作为其骄傲的一部分,都将这次扩展作为向南非提供第二高管或技术资源,概述业务或填补技术或技能空白的机会。
这些组织应注意,如果他们希望将自己团队中的此类现有资源发送到南非,则可以通过公司内部调动签证来完成。 签证的主要目的是允许跨国集团在需要他们的集团内转移关键资源,同时在他们分配工作时提高当地雇员的技能。
因此,公司内部调动工作签证使全球跨国公司有可能在南非建立分支机构,同时为其本地员工提供所需的技能培训,这对于南非和组织/公司都是双赢的。
考虑公司内部调动工作签证的8个实用小贴士:
- 要获得签证资格:申请人必须在外国母公司工作至少六(6)个月或者以上;
- 签证的有效期不超过四(4)年,并且不能延期;
- 如果在四年的任期期满以后,还需要该外派人员的服务,则他们可以从其本国或临时居住国申请新签证,而第二(2)次公司内部调动签证的签发完全是由南非使领馆酌情决定,并受提供的动机而约束;
- 需要技能转移计划,以证明已制定了提高当地员工技能的策略;
- 公司内部调动签证签发了多次入境,这意味着持有人可以在签证期间按需要进出南非;
- 公司内部调动签证的持有人可以申请其家人的陪同签证,他们的家人必须申请与公司内部调动签证相关的陪同签证,例如配偶,陪同子女的学习签证等;
- 如果公司内部调动签证的持有人希望更改身份并获得其他签证,则不允许他们在南非更改签证,他们必须返回其本国或临时居住国。所以;
- 公司内部调动签证的有效期不会计入永久居留身份年限.
与《南非移民法》所提供的其他工作签证相比,公司内部调动签证的繁琐程度最低,这是根据特定发证机关的要求进行的。 点到点的程序通常需要5周的时间,并且可以为许多跨国公司提供实用的解决方案。
如果您有任何疑问或需要协助,请随时与我们联系!
作者 | AUTHOR
Buhle Mazibuko
Immigration Consultant
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