What is the point based system for critical skills?

South Africa’s points-based system is the scorecard Home Affairs uses to decide if you meet the threshold for a Critical Skills Work Visa (and, separately, a General Work Visa).

You must reach at least 100 points. The simplest route is having an occupation that appears on the Critical Skills List, which can award the full 100 points on its own.

If you are not relying on the list, you can build points through a mix of factors such as your SAQA-aligned qualification level, post-qualification work experience, salary band in the job offer, language proficiency, and whether the offer comes from a “Trusted Employer”.

Meeting 100 points is necessary, but you still must satisfy the other normal document and registration requirements.