Research the critical-skills category from the actual occupation and qualification evidence. A promising job title is only the beginning; keep the occupation-list match and the relevant professional-body questions visible.
Find the current official critical-skills material
DHA's published critical-skills requirements distinguish occupation evidence, foreign-qualification evaluation and professional registration where required by law. The official visa guidance directs applicants to the latest critical-skills list rather than a self-selected broad profession label. Read South African DHA: Critical Skills Work Visa requirements.
Compare the requirements with DHA’s current visa-category guidance and the latest critical-skills list linked by the responsible authority.
Your working sheet
The following is an editorial organisation tool, not an official application checklist. Copy the rows that help and fill them with your own verified records.
| Check | What to record |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Describe real duties and identify the current listed occupation being researched |
| Qualification | Index the award and SAQA evaluation question |
| Professional body | Ask the relevant regulator what registration or confirmation applies to the real activity |
A practical example
For example, an engineer offered a specialist role should compare the actual duties with the official occupation entry. A professional-body or candidate-registration question should be recorded explicitly rather than assumed resolved by the offer letter.
Before the next step
Read the latest DHA route instructions and list for the application date. The linked requirements document provides the evidence structure, but changing conditions should be checked on the responsible authority's current service. Seek appropriate advice where the occupation or professional-registration relationship is unclear.
Continue with the guide library or save the next task in the moving planner. Official requirements can change; the source above was checked on 17 October 2026.