Cape Town – South Africa has approved 71 companies to participate in the second phase of its Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), in a move aimed at attracting foreign professionals with critical skills and easing recruitment challenges facing local businesses.
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that 71 of the 138 companies that applied for participation in the latest phase successfully passed the screening process.
Launched on 20 July 2026, Phase II expands the scheme to include businesses involved in strategic infrastructure projects, companies establishing regional and global headquarters in South Africa, and qualifying financial institutions.
The programme allows accredited employers to recruit international professionals through simplified visa applications, reduced paperwork and more predictable processing times.
The Department of Home Affairs said: “Successful applicants will now benefit from simplified visa processes, reduced paperwork and more predictable processing times, making it easier to access the critical international skills their businesses need.”
Manual processes
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the initiative, alongside the expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, was part of efforts to modernise the country’s immigration system.
“By replacing manual processes with secure digital systems and biometric verification, we are closing the loopholes that enable fraud and abuse,” Schreiber said.
“At the same time, we are making it easier for legitimate investors and people with critical skills to contribute to our economy.”
The development comes as South African businesses continue to grapple with shortages of specialised skills.
According to findings from the 2026 Critical Skills Survey published by migration services provider Xpatweb, 76% of companies operating in the country struggle to recruit the critical skills they need locally, while 67% are having to look beyond South Africa’s borders to fill key positions.
Administrative barriers
The findings, reported by Polity, identified engineers, information and communications technology (ICT) specialists and artisans among the occupations most difficult to recruit.
Xpatweb managing director Marisa Jacobs said: “More than 70% of businesses report that vacancies are having a severe or significant impact on their operations.”
She also highlighted the importance of ensuring that immigration policies respond to changing business needs, particularly as industries increasingly require specialised technical and technological expertise.
The TES was introduced to reduce administrative barriers for qualifying employers while ensuring that businesses seeking to recruit foreign professionals meet investment, employment and skills-development requirements.
In July, the Department of Home Affairs said the expanded programme was designed to make the department an economic enabler rather than a constraint, supporting investment, economic growth and job creation.
The government maintains that attracting international expertise can help strengthen local industries, support major infrastructure projects and contribute to broader job creation.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/ @GovernmentZA
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
