The recently launched second phase of the Department of Home Affairs' Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) marks another significant step towards making it easier for companies to attract the international skills needed to support businesses operations, innovation and economic growth. 

The core purpose of TES is to allow South Africa to more easily attract scarce skills and manage immigration, while supporting government initiatives to boost investment and create jobs.

Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb, said TES has been one of the most significant rollouts by Home Affairs. 

“Enhancing digital efficiency and providing more predictable pathways for critical skills to enter the economy, sends a strong message that South Africa is ready to welcome businesses. However, the ultimate success of these reforms goes together with an understanding of where the country's skills shortages exist so that the right skills are prioritised and attracted.”

The Department reiterated that the streamlined immigration process — with reduced administration requirements, less documentation and faster processing times for pre-vetted employers — is of particular strategic value when recruiting senior executives, technical personnel, corporate employees, and investors. 

The expanded scheme now includes companies involved in strategic infrastructure projects, businesses establishing regional and global headquarters in South Africa, and qualifying entities in the financial sector.

Applications for the second round opened on 20 July 2026 and eligible companies seeking Trusted Employer status, will close on 4 September 2026.  

Which Skills Should South Africa be Attracting?

As South Africa continues to position itself as an attractive destination for international investment and business expansion, access to specialised global talent is critical for remaining competitive. For multinational businesses operating in South Africa, access to and the ability to recruit the skills they require, is a key consideration when making investment and growth decisions.

Jacobs notes the answer lies in determining the skills shortages that businesses experience. The Xpatweb Critical Skills Survey 2026, currently underway, provides employers with the opportunity to identify occupations they cannot fill locally and the skills shortages that impede their business operations. 

“While government policy provides the framework for accessing scarce skills, business input plays an important role ensuring that policy reflects real economic needs.”

The annual Critical Skills Survey is recognised as the most comprehensive and authoritative of its kind among multinational, listed and large corporations. It provides evidence-based information that is shared with relevant government departments and stakeholders to help inform decisions on South Africa’s immigration framework and future updates to the national Critical Skills List.

Lessons From the 2025 Survey

The findings from Xpatweb's 2025 Critical Skills Survey showed that 84% of employers experience difficulties sourcing highly skilled talent from the local labour market, while also highlighting the scale of the challenge of finding the right skills.

Among the 10 most difficult roles to fill in 2025 included engineers, ICT specialists, artisans, financial professionals, media and marketing specialists and foreign language speakers. This has remained largely unchanged over the past few years. 

Importantly, 84% of respondents said international recruitment is essential to meet business needs.

Building on the Success Demonstrated in TES Phase I

TES Phase II follows on the success of the first phase which approved 71 companies to join the scheme.

The initiative was first introduced in 2023 to give effect to a recommendation from the Operation Vulindlela work visa review, designed to address systemic delays in South Africa's immigration system by creating a fast-track pathway for high-impact businesses to attract critical skills into the South African economy.

Trusted Employers have indicated they benefited significantly from faster visa processing times. Applications that took weeks or months prior to TES, are now processed within 5 to 20 business days.

Building a Smarter Skills Pipeline

In his keynote address at the recent Xpatweb Global Mobility Conference in Johannesburg, the Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber reiterated that TES Phase II is uniquely and better positioned to establish Home Affairs as an economic enabler, rather than as a constraint.

TES uses a risk-based approach to simplify visa applications for accredited employers, enabling qualifying businesses to recruit critical skills faster, while upholding the integrity of the immigration system.

Jacobs says TES offers a practical mechanism to accelerate access to global expertise, with the Critical Skills Survey complementing the picture with real-world input from business to ensure future policy reflects the realities of the labour market. 

Together, they represent mutually reinforcing steps towards strengthening South Africa's competitiveness, supporting investment and ensuring the country has access to the skills needed to drive long-term economic growth.

Critical Skills 2026 Survey Link: 2026 Critical Skills Survey | Shape South Africa's Skills List

Issued by Xpatweb