2. Von Essen Consulting South Africa
Availability g Von Essen can support the expatriate consultants coming to work in the Republic of South Africa (South Africa)
under the following visa restrictions:
• Citizens of the following countries (List A): African Union Laissez Passer, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, British Islands, British Overseas Territories, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan,
Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway,
Paraguay, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland,
United Kingdom of Great Britain, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zimbabwe - can obtain a
visitor’s permit at a South African port of entry for 90 days or less; however, once a work permit is approved
they would have to go home to apply for it at a diplomatic mission of South Africa as, recently, due to the
proposed changes in the immigration legislation it became unfeasible to endeavour a transfer from the
visitor permit to a work permit while remaining in South Africa; however, a new law has not yet come into
being so Von Essen’s local partner can still attempt, but no guarantees can be given for the success of
such transfer.
• Although, citizens of the following countries (List B): Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia,
Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Gabon, Guyana, Hong Kong (only with regard to holders of Hong Kong
British National Overseas passports and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports), Hungary,
Jordan, Lesotho, Macau (only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports
(MSAR)), Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Peru, Poland, Seychelles, Slovak
Republic, South Korea (Republic), Swaziland, Thailand, Turkey, Zambia - can obtain a visitor’s permit at a
South African port of entry for 30 days or less; however, it is strongly recommended that they obtain a work
permit from the beginning.
• Citizens of the countries that not mentioned above have to apply for visas before entering South Africa;
as a result it is compulsory that they obtain their work permits from the beginning.
• There are no BANNED/RESTRICTED nationalities, but some foreign nationals may find it harder to enter South
Africa, than others, so it is important that there is a good motivation with regard to why Von Essen’s local
partner is employing the expatriate consultants.
Immigration g Type of Visa Validity Timescales Documents Costs
List A (see
above):
Government
a maximum stay
charge for
of 90 days; Instantly, at a Original passport valid for no less than 30
Visitor Permit VP - approx.
South African days after the
(VP) EUR 50
List B (see port of entry expiry of intended stay
per
above):
application
a maximum stay
of 30 days;
1) Qualification certificates
Advertisement up to 3 years Approx. 14 2) SAQA approval results sheets
and South depending on a days 3) Copy of a position’s advertisement in a
African length of national newspaper
Qualifications employment 4) Benchmarking certificate
Authority contract GWP - within 5) Original + copy of passport valid for no less
(SAQA) (subject to a 30 days, but than 30 days after the expiry of
Approval approval of could be intended stay
Home Affairs longer 6) Employment contract
Immigration
followed by Office; 7) Local partner to provide a
process
extendable) memorandum of requirements with
handling
General Work supporting documents on engagement of
fee - EUR 2500
Permit (GWP) ------------------------- --------------------- the immigration services
per
-----------------------------------------------------------
application,
OR up to 3 years 1) Qualification certificates
incl. all
depending on a 2) SAQA approval results sheets
government’s
length of Approx. 10 3) Proofs of more than 5 year working
charges
SAQA employment days experience in the relevant field(s)
Approval contract 4) Original + copy of passport valid for no less
(subject to the than 30 days after the expiry of
followed by skills relevance QWP - within intended stay
as per the 30 days, but 5) Job offer or employment contract
Quota Work government's list could be 6) Local partner to provide a
Permit (QWP) of Skill Shortages; longer memorandum of requirements with
extendable) supporting documents on engagement of
the immigration services
Notes:
1) South Africa is currently undergoing a revision of its immigration legislation and a new/revised law is expected to
come into being within next few weeks.
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3. Von Essen Consulting South Africa
Types of g • Employed through Von Essen’s local partner
Solution
Available
Withholding g • There may be a withholding tax on invoices for services originating from outside South Africa; however
Taxes invoices from Von Essen (Switzerland) will not be subject to it.
• Value added tax of 14% would apply on invoices issued by Von Essen’s local partner to South African end
client; however, this is not a cost, but a reclaimable cash flow requirement.
Contract g • Von Essen can hold a direct contract with either the end client or the agency depending on the
Strcuture requirements of the agency. Where they hold a contract with the end client the agency would hold a
separate side contract with Von Essen for their margin. Consultants will hold a direct employment contract
with the Von Essen’ local partner, who in turn holds a service contract with Von Essen.
Taxation g • Taxes are levied in South Africa on employment income at the progressive rates from 18% to 40%
• The employee and employer both contribute accordingly 1% and 5% of the gross salary to
the social security
Banking g • Local bank account is required to facilitate the relationship with the tax authorities - Von Essen’s local
partner can help to open it.
• Von Essen’s local partner can arrange a full range of local services including meet and greet,
accommodation, car hire, mobile phone, etc.
• Von Essen’s local partner provides basic public liability cover, and is able to arrange for medical
and risk cover as well.
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