Immigration Glossary

Key terms and acronyms used in South African immigration law and practice, explained clearly.

B

BEE

Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment — South Africa's legislative framework for promoting economic transformation and inclusion.

C

CIPC

Companies and Intellectual Property Commission — the South African body responsible for company registration and intellectual property rights.

Critical Skills List

A gazetted list of occupations in high demand in South Africa, used to determine eligibility for the Critical Skills Work Visa.

D

DHA

Department of Home Affairs — the South African government department responsible for immigration, civic services, and identification.

I

Immigration Act

The Immigration Act 13 of 2002 — South Africa's primary legislation governing the entry, residence, and departure of foreign nationals.

P

POPI Act

Protection of Personal Information Act — South Africa's data privacy law governing the collection, processing, and storage of personal information.

PRP

Permanent Residence Permit — a permit granting a foreign national the right to live and work in South Africa indefinitely.

S

SAQA

South African Qualifications Authority — the body responsible for evaluating and recognising foreign qualifications in South Africa.

Scarce Skills

Occupations identified as being in short supply in the South African labour market — historically used for work visa eligibility, now replaced by the Critical Skills List.

Section 21

Section 21 of the Immigration Act — the provision governing Corporate Visas, which allow companies to employ multiple foreign nationals under a single authorisation.

T

TRP

Temporary Residence Permit — a visa allowing a foreign national to reside in South Africa for a limited period and specific purpose.

V

VFS Global

Visa Facilitation Services — the outsourced service provider that handles visa application submissions on behalf of DHA in South Africa.