South Africa Prioritises Local Hiring Trusted Employer Scheme.

South Africa has introduced a new phase of its Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), requiring businesses seeking fast tracked immigration benefits to demonstrate that they primarily employ South African citizens or permanent residents.

The Department of Home Affairs announced the launch of the second phase of the Trusted Employer Scheme as part of broader efforts to modernise the country’s immigration system, attract investment, support economic growth and create more jobs for South Africans.

The initiative comes at a time when unemployment remains one of South Africa’s biggest economic challenges and public concern over illegal immigration continues to grow.

Under the new framework, only accredited employers will be eligible to recruit foreign talent through the scheme. To qualify, companies must show that they have made meaningful investments in South Africa, employ mostly South African citizens or permanent residents, invest in skills development and operate in sectors considered strategic to the country’s economy.

The government said the second phase will include businesses involved in major infrastructure projects as well as companies establishing or managing regional and global headquarters in South Africa.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the programme is designed to make it easier for qualifying businesses to recruit specialised international talent while ensuring that local employment remains the priority. The scheme is expected to streamline visa processing for senior executives, technical specialists, corporate employees and investors whose skills support economic development.

Companies interested in joining the Trusted Employer Scheme must first submit an expression of interest. The Department of Home Affairs will assess applications and retain the authority to approve or reject membership requests. Successful applicants will then sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the department.

One of the key eligibility requirements is maintaining a workforce where at least 60 percent of employees are South African citizens or permanent residents. Employers must also demonstrate financial stability, prove the need to hire foreign nationals for specialised roles and show evidence of training programmes that develop local talent.

The department clarified that the programme is not intended for low wage labour or unskilled workers. Instead, it targets businesses that require specialised expertise capable of supporting investment, innovation and long term economic growth.