Table of Content

Bangladeshis are getting quite a few types of work visas. If you have a plan to get the visa, first find out which purposes match yours. 

  • Short-term Projects

  • General Work

  • Intra-Company Transfer

  • South Africa Critical Skills Work

  • Corporate Work

  • Remote Work

  • TRV General Work

  • TRV Intra-Company Transfer

  • TRV South Africa Critical Skills Work


Note: The South Africa TRV work visa is a temporary work visa that allows a foreign worker to stay for a limited period. It is given to complete specific work assignments or short-term projects. 

With a short-stay work visa, you can stay up to 3 months in South Africa. Long-stay works, on the other hand, have different criteria. The South African long-stay work visa will bring Bangladeshis here to work over the long term. Generally, such visas are valid for up to 5 years, but the intra-company-transfer work visa issues maximum stay periods of 4 years. 

Bangladeshi applicants need to first go through the processing time before applying for a South Africa work visa. There is a huge gap in the processing time. Your short-term South Africa work visa processing competes within 5 to 10 working days. But, your long-stay South Africa work visa processing time for each application takes a minimum of 90 days. The processing starts after you submit your South Africa work visa application. The processing time can be extended or reduced based on circumstances. The changes depend on the high commission or the consulate general.

Bangladeshis have to pay both the visa application center fee and the fee visa for a South Africa work visa. The short-term work visa fee for South Africa is around BDT 2920. But, if you are here for your long-term work visa, it is BDT 11,856. The additional South Africa Visa Application Center fee is approximately BDT 4628.

After holding a work permit for South Africa work visa, one can start the application for a visa. To apply, keep following this article. 

  • First, download your work visa application form. To download, visit the South Africa Visa Application Center of India website. 

  • Fill out the necessary details in the form and then print it.

  • Gather all the documents from your work visa checklist. 

  • Translate and notarize the non-English documents. 

  • To submit your documents, visit the South Africa Visa Application Center in India. The applicant’s in-person visit is not mandatory for this. You can send your authorized representative there with an authorization letter. 

  • Pay your visa application center fee and the visa fee there to complete your application submission.

  • Wait at least 3 calendar months to get your work visa decision.

  • You or an authorized representative can pick up your passport after the official decision.

The applicant's personal appearance at the consulate is not compulsory, as one would know. Still, applying online is not possible. You can get help from VISAThing or any reliable authorized representative. This will make sure your visa application is professional and errorless. 

South Africa work visa requirements go according to the applicant’s profession. The basic documents remain the same when the supporting documents vary. You will get the documents in the following. 

  • The applicant’s completed and signed work visa application form DHA-1738.

  • Villi with the appropriate validity and other blank pages of the applicant pass. 

  • Applicant's photographs in 35 X 45 mm size.

  • Bangladeshi applicant’s work permit from South African employer.

  • A cover letter from the applicant with address, details, and purpose. 

  • The applicant’s financial proof, such as the last 3 months' certified bank statements. 

  • Applicant’s medical report issued by a registered medical practitioner. It should be on letterhead about the applicant's general state of health.

  • An affidavit of the applicant.

  • The following documents, if applicable. 

    1. Applicant’s marriage certificate (if applicable).

    2. Divorce certificate (if applicable).

    3. Court order of parental responsibilities (if applicable)

    4. Death certificate of the late spouse (if applicable).

    5. Proof of legal adoption (if applicable).

    6. Legal separation order (if applicable).

  • Applicant’s police clearance certificate. 

  • A written undertaking by the South African employer. 

  • A certificate from the Department of Labour. The employer must confirm that he was unable to find a more qualified candidate in South Africa. Besides, it should include that all the criteria are perfectly matched with the applicants.

  • Proof of qualification by SAQA, translated into South Africa’s official language.

  • For intra-company transfer visas:

    1. A letter from the employer. It should confirm that the applicant gets transferred to a South African branch.

    2. A letter from the employer confirming the transfer, job role, and stay duration.

If a South African work visa applicant’s visa gets rejected, there is the option to appeal. Bangladeshis can also reapply for their visa anytime. Applicants must log the appeal within 10 working days for Bangladeshi applicants. The appeal should be in written format. You need to wait approximately half a year to a year to review your appeal request. You cannot go for reapplication while your appeal is in review. 

The extension of a South African work visa requires the same amount of effort as the initial application. Bangladeshis work visa extension takes about a year to process. So, applicants should begin their visa applications at least 12 months in advance. In this case, the passport must be valid and the documents provided must be clear. Do note that an intra-company transfer visa cannot be extended.

FAQ for South Africa Visa

Can I work on a spousal visa in South Africa as a Bangladeshi?

Yes, you can work on a spouse visa in South Africa as a Bangladeshi, but there is a condition. You need permission from the South African immigration department.

Can you work on a relative visa in South Africa?

Yes, you can work on a relative visa in South Africa. However, you need to get permission from the South African immigration department.

Do Bangladeshis need a visa to work in South Africa?

Yes, you need a visa to work in South Africa from Bangladesh.