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Republic of South Africa · intra company

Intra-company Transfer Work Visa

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 13 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Work visa for employees transferred by a multinational group from a foreign branch to a related South African branch, subsidiary or affiliate, issued for up to four years and not renewable.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyUp to 4 years; not renewable or extendable.
Processing time
Processing times are published by the DHA and VFS Global and vary by case.
Government fees
The DHA sets the application fee; confirm the current amount on the official visa page and the VFS Global fee schedule.
Typical duration
Up to 4 years; not renewable or extendable.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗

In short

As of 1 June 2026, the Intra-company Transfer Work Visa for Republic of South Africa is a sponsor-led South Africa immigration route. Sources: official Republic of South Africa government pages, reviewed 1 June 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/south-africa/intra-company-transfer-work-visa#answer

What is the Intra-company Transfer Work Visa in Republic of South Africa?

Intra-company Transfer Work Visa is a sponsor-led South Africa route. Indicative government fees are The DHA sets the application fee; confirm the current amount on the official visa page and the VFS Global fee schedule; indicative processing time is Processing times are published by the DHA and VFS Global and vary by case; typical duration is Up to 4 years; not renewable or extendable. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The Intra-company Transfer Work Visa allows a multinational employer to move an existing employee from a foreign office to a related South African branch, subsidiary or affiliate. The South African entity must already exist - the route cannot be used to open a new business. No proof of efforts to recruit a South African citizen or permanent resident is required. The Department of Home Affairs issues the visa for a period not exceeding four years, and it cannot be renewed or extended.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the South African entity is an existing branch, subsidiary or affiliate of the foreign employer.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Have both entities prepare transfer confirmation letters and the South African employment contract, plus any skills-transfer plan.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Submit the application through VFS Global on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs.

  4. After approval

    After approval, work only for the named South African entity and plan ahead, as the visa cannot be renewed or extended.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Intra-company Transfer Work Visa, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Intra-company Transfer Work Visa instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to South Africa

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in South Africa. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official Intra-company Transfer Work Visa route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Intra-company Transfer Work Visa.

    Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Can the Intra-company Transfer Work Visa be renewed?+

No. The Department of Home Affairs issues this visa for a period not exceeding four years and states that it cannot be renewed or extended. Plan any longer-term stay through a different visa category before it expires.

Can I use this visa to open a new business in South Africa?+

No. The route requires a transfer to an existing South African branch, subsidiary or affiliate of the foreign employer. A representative of a business abroad cannot use it to come to South Africa to open a new business.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in South Africa

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Department of Home Affairs (South Africa)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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