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    Visa Guide · 🇿🇦 South Africa

    South Africa General Work Visa from Bangladesh

    Long Term Work Visa for eligible foreign professionals with a qualifying South African job offer under the current points-based system.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The South Africa General Work Visa is a Long Term Visa for Bangladeshi nationals and eligible residents who have a qualifying offer of employment in South Africa and meet the current points-based requirements. A General Work Visa may be issued for the employment-contract period, up to a maximum of five years.

    Under the current system, a job offer is mandatory and the applicant must reach 100 points through the prescribed criteria. Where the 100-point threshold is reached through a combination other than an occupation on the Critical Skills List, the applicant may qualify for a General Work Visa, subject to all other requirements. Applications from Bangladesh are submitted through VFS Global New Delhi. 

    Document Checklist

    1. Passport (Original): Original passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure from South Africa, with at least two unused/blank visa pages. Submit the current passport together with the required copies.
    2. Previous Passport(s) & Travel History: Full clear copies of previous passports, including relevant visa and immigration pages, where available. Travel history should be disclosed consistently with the application and supporting records.
    3. Photograph (South Africa Visa Format): Provide 1 recent colour passport photograph, 35mm x 45mm, taken within the last 30 days against a plain white background and meeting the current South Africa VFS photo specifications.
    4. DHA-1738 Visa Application Form: Fully completed Form DHA-1738 in black ink and block letters, signed by the applicant with details consistent with the passport and supporting documents.
    5. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter explaining the proposed employment, South African employer, position, intended work period and supporting circumstances. It should include the applicant’s home address and contact details and remain consistent with the employment and points evidence.
    6. South African Employment Contract / Job Offer: A valid offer and employment contract signed by the employer and applicant, setting out the position, duties, remuneration, benefits and employment period. The offer of employment is mandatory under the current points-based system.
    7. SAQA Qualification Evaluation: Proof of evaluation of relevant foreign qualifications by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), showing the applicable South African NQF level. Provide certified or translated supporting records where required.
    8. CV & Work Experience Evidence: Current CV together with employment, experience, service, relieving or other professional records needed to substantiate the applicant’s relevant work history and the experience points claimed.
    9. South African Employer Records: Full particulars of the prospective employer, including the company’s physical address and contact details and, where applicable, proof of registration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
    10. Employer Undertakings: Written employer undertakings required under the applicable work-visa framework, including maintaining the employee’s valid passport and notifying the Director-General of relevant changes in employment, role or compliance where required.
    11. Personal Bank Statements: Recently bank-certified personal bank statements for the last 6 months showing sufficient financial means for the applicant’s initial stay and related expenses.
    12. Police Clearance Certificate: Applicants aged 18 or over should provide police clearance certificates for the countries required under the current Relative Visa requirements, including countries where the applicant has resided for 12 months or longer since turning 18.
    13. Civil Status Documents: Provide relevant marriage, divorce, death, adoption, separation, custody, parental-consent, or relationship records where applicable to the applicant or accompanying family circumstances.
    14. Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh.
    15. Medical Report: Submit the prescribed medical report in original. The medical report should reflect the applicant’s general state of health and meet the current validity requirements. 

    Process Roadmap

    Step 1

    Confirm the Job & Visa Category

    Confirm that the South African offer is genuine and that the applicant should be assessed for General Work rather than Critical Skills or another work category.

    Step 2

    Calculate the Points Position

    Review the job offer, salary, qualifications, experience, language proficiency and Trusted Employer status where applicable to confirm whether the 100-point threshold can be met.

    Step 3

    Complete DHA-1738 Accurately

    Complete DHA-1738 in black ink and align the position, employer, salary, employment period and personal details with the supporting records.

    Step 4

    Build Employment & Skills Evidence

    Prepare the signed contract, employer records, SAQA evaluation, CV, experience evidence and documents supporting the points claimed.

    Step 5

    Assemble the New Delhi File

    Add the required passport, financial, police-clearance, residence and other applicable records, then organise the file for VFS Global New Delhi.

    Step 6

    Lodge the Application & Pay Charges

    A prior appointment is currently not required. Submit the complete file at VFS New Delhi and pay the applicable visa and VFS charges through the prescribed process.

    Step 7

    Track the Decision & Verify Conditions

    Follow available VFS updates and, after passport return, check the visa validity, employer, occupation and endorsed conditions before commencing work.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    The 100-point threshold is not demonstrated

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the evidence needed to substantiate the applicant’s qualifications, salary, experience and other applicable scoring criteria.

    Job offer and remuneration are unclear

    How UnivEase helps

    We help align the employment contract, role, salary and supporting records with the current General Work requirements.

    Qualifications or experience are weakly evidenced

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the SAQA, CV and employment records needed to support the skills and experience claimed.

    Employer documentation is incomplete

    How UnivEase helps

    We provide checklist-based guidance on employer particulars, company records, undertakings and other New Delhi supporting evidence.

    VFS & Embassy

    Embassy

    South African High Commission, New Delhi
    Address: B-18 Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057, India.
    Telephone: +91-11-2614 9411-14
    Immigration Queries: Infoza.india@vfshelpline.com
    Website: Click Here
    Working Hours: Monday to Thursday, 08:30-17:00; Friday, 08:30-14:15.
    Consular & Immigration Section: Monday to Friday, 08:30-12:30. 

    Visa Application Centre

    South Africa Visa Application Centre, New Delhi
    Address: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001, India.
    Helpline: 02267866066 (Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00)
    Website: Click Here
    Submission Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00-16:00. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Build your South Africa General Work Visa application around the current points-based requirements.

    Get clear guidance on DHA-1738, points evidence, employment records, required documents, fees, VFS New Delhi submission and passport-return steps before you apply.

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