December 2020

GENERAL WORK PERMIT

Issued to foreigner who has secured a general work contract with a South African firm/company. 

Validity of visa depends on contract received from South Africa with a maximum of five (5) years.

Your appointment will be set up approximately two-three weeks prior to your departure date. 

E-mail: bern.consular@dirco.gov.za (S.A. Embassy Bern)

Application Form: Please complete in black ink – do not sign. 

Passport: Must be valid 30 days after the expiry of the visa

Photos: Two(2) passport photos (Swiss standard)

Itinerary: A flight reservation is required. Do not make final arrangements.   If studying longer than six months, one-way/open-ended ticket is accepted

Financial means: Three (3)-month detailed bank statement. If sponsored by family member, the person’s passport copy and 3-month detailed bank statement

Deportation: A written undertaking by the employer accepting responsibility for the costs related to the deportation of the applicant and his or her dependent family members, should it become necessary.

Qualifications: Recent CV/Resumé

Accommodation: Copy of -

Confirmation of accommodation by South African company

Criminal Record: “Strafregisterauszug” on criminal-records.admin.ch (no apostille) from each country where applicant resided for a year or longer, after the age of 18

Contract: Detailed South African contract signed and dated by employer and employee

Medical Report: To be signed by your GP (Hausarzt)

Radiological Report: To be signed by your GP (Hausarzt) confirming that you are not suffering of TB.  Pregnant women and children under the age of 12 are exempt

Insurance: Swiss Health insurance contract copy

Employer’s duty: A written undertaking by the employer to ensure that the passport of his or her employee is valid at all times for the duration of his or her employment (where there is no employer: a written undertaking by the applicant to ensure that the passport of the applicant shall be valid at all times for the duration of his or her temporary visa)

SAQA: If required by law, proof of application for a certificate of registration with the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA in terms of section 13(1)(i) of the national qualifications framework act;

Swiss Residence: Applicable to any foreign nationals residing in Switzerland (C, B, L)

Visa fee: No cash Payment will be made online (if applicable)

Envelope: Self-addressed-stamped envelope for the return of the passport

Processing Time: In general five (5) to ten (10) working days.

Original passport will remain at the Embassy until the process is   complete

The supporting documents should be in English language or officially translated (except bank statements) 

Please print documents before attending your appointment.  The Consular staff will no longer make any copies or print documents on your behalf.

The Consular Section may accept complete applications only