Earlier in February, the Department of Home Affairs published the list of scarce skills in South Africa 2022, more commonly known as the Critical Skills List.
The list contains more than 100 skills or qualifications that are in short supply in South Africa and therefore deemed to be critical for the Republic.
It is most commonly used by foreign nationals who wish to apply for a critical skills work visa or permanent residence permit in the country.
List of scarce skills in South Africa 2022
According to the revised Critical Skills List announced by Home Affairs on 2 August, below is the list of scarce skills in South Africa 2022:
- Director (enterprise/organisation) (medium enterprises or larger)
- Policy and Planning Manager
- Corporate General Manager (medium enterprises or larger)
- Programme or Project Manager
- Quality Systems Manager
- Customer Service Manager (Business Process Outsourcing sector)
- Research and Development Manager
- Manufacturing Operations Manager
- Engineering Manager
- Supply and Distribution Manager
- Chief Information Manager
- Data Management Manager
- Environmental Manager
- Call or Contact Centre Manager
- Physicist
- Climate Change Scientist
- Chemist
- Geologist
- Geophysicist
- Materials Scientist
- Mineralogist
- Hydrologist
- Oceanographer
- Actuary
- General Biologist
- Biotechnologist
- Microbiologist
- Zoologist
- Agricultural Scientist
- Food and Beverage Scientist
- Conservation Scientist
- Environmental Scientist
- Industrial Engineer
- Industrial Engineering Technologist
- Civil Engineer
- Civil Engineering Technologist
- Mechanical Engineer
- Mechanical Engineering Technologist
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Aeronautical Engineering Technologist
- Naval Architect
- Chemical Engineer
- Chemical Engineering Technologist
- Mining Engineer
- Metallurgist
- Biomedical Engineer
- Quantity Surveyor
- Agricultural Engineer
- Agricultural Engineering Technologist
- Electrical Engineering Technologist
- Energy Engineer
- Energy Engineering Technologist
- Electronics Engineer
- Architect
- Urban and Regional Planner
- Multimedia Designer
- Nurse Educator
- University Lecturer – Senior Lecturer and above for only those CESM categories listed in Annexure 2
- FET Phase School Teacher (Grades 10-12) – only for STEM subjects
- Senior Phase School Teacher (Grades 8-9) – only for STEM subjects
- Tax Professional
- External Auditor
- Forensic Accountant
- Investment Analyst
- Investment Manager
- Investment Advisor
- Business Development Officer
- Policy Analyst
- Corporate Treasurer
- Organisational Risk Manager
- Internal Auditor
- Occupational Instructor (Air Traffic Space)
- Market Research Analyst
- ICT Systems Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Software Developer
- Programmer Analyst
- Developer Programmer
- Multimedia Specialist
- Applications Programmer
- Computers Quality Assurance Analyst
- Computer Networks and Systems Engineer
- Network Analyst
- ICT Security Specialist
- Economist
- Chemistry Technician
- Town Planning Technician
- Electronic Engineering Technician
- Mechanical Engineering Technician
- Draughtsperson
- Air Traffic Controller
- Inbound Contact Centre Consultant (with first language speaking and translating capabilities in the following languages: German, Swiss, Flemish, Greek, Swedish, Danish, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and French
- Outbound Contact Centre Consultant (with first language speaking and translating capabilities in the following languages: German, Swiss, Flemish, Greek, Swedish, Danish, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and French
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
- Metal Machinist
- Millwright
- Mechatronics Technician
- Lift Mechanic
- Electrical Equipment Mechanic
- Transportation Electrician
- Instrument Mechanician (Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control)
- Dentist – Specialist (Community Dentistry)
- Dentist – Specialist (Maxillo and Oral Pathology)
- Dentist – Specialist (Maxillo Facial and Oral Surgery)
- Dentist – Specialist (Oral Medicine and Periodontics)
- Dentist – Specialist (Prosthodontics)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Anaesthesiology)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Cardiothoracic Surgery)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Clinical Pharmacology)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Public Health)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Dermatology)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Diagnostic Radiology)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Emergency Medicine)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Medicine)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Neurology)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Neurosurgery)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Ophthalmology)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Orthopaedics)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Ortorhinolaryingology)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Paediatrics)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Pathology – Anatomical)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Pathology – Chemical)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Pathology – Clinical)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Pathology – Forensic)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Pathology – Haematological)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Pathology – Microbiological)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Pathology – Virological)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Psychiatry)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Radiation Oncology)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Surgery)
- Medical Practitioner – Specialist (Urology)
- Registered Nurse – Intensive/Critical Care Nursing
- Registered Nurse – Mental Health (Psychiatric) Nursing
- Registered Nurse – Peri-Operative Nursing (Theatre Technique)
- Registered Nurse – Emergency Nursing (Trauma)
- Registered Nurse – Child Nursing (Paediatric Nursing)
- Registered Nurse – Midwife Specialist
- Industrial Pharmacist
Click here to view or download the full list in PDF as published in the official gazette notice by Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
The full document includes more details on each skill, including the OFO code, description, minimum qualification required and the local statutory professional body.
Importance of Critical Skills list
This is the first list published since 2014, according to Xpatweb’s immigration manager Moeketsi Seboko, who spoke to BusinessTech recently.
“Foreign nationals may now establish whether their profession is in demand in South Africa and may be eligible to commence a career path in the country provided they fulfil the Act’s criteria,” he explained.
Current Critical Skills work visa holders may also need to confirm if their professions are still listed. If not, it may mean that they would be unable to renew their visas.
Similarly, foreign nationals who had plans to apply for permanent residence, but whose skills are no longer deemed scarce, may now be no longer eligible for permanent residence.
However, the list is not just for foreign nationals. Young South Africans can also use it make career choices that would maximise their chances of being employed.
Whether you’re a foreign national or South African, good luck!