Critical Skills Requirements
On 02 August 2022, the Department of Home Affairs published the new Critical Skills List (No. 47812, Government Gazette, 02 August 2022). As per the Critical Skills Work Visa Checklist, a confirmation of skills and qualifications letter is required when applying to the Department of Home Affairs, for a critical skills visa, in one of the Occupations listed in the table below.
Occupation Name |
Description |
Minimum Qualification Requirement |
Associated Field of Practice |
|
13 |
Environmental Manager |
Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates the development and implementation of an environmental management system within an organisation by identifying, solving and alleviating environmental issues such as pollution and waste treatment in compliance with environmental legislation and ensures corporate sustainable development. |
Bachelor Honours Degree |
Environmental Science |
15 |
Physicist |
Studies matter, space, time, energy, forces and fields and the interrelationship between these physical phenomena to further understanding of the laws governing the behaviour of the universe, and seeks to apply these laws to solve practical problems and discover new information about the earth and the universe. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Physical Science |
16 |
Climate Change Scientist |
Evaluate scientific data carries out research on the climate to create predictive models of likely changes in the earth’s climate and concomitant impacts on natural ecosystems and civilisations. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Environmental Science |
17 |
Chemist |
Studies the chemical and physical properties of substances and develops and monitors chemical processes and production. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Chemical Science |
18 |
Geologist |
Studies the composition, structure and other physical attributes of the earth to increase scientific knowledge and to develop practical applications in fields such as mineral exploration, civil engineering, environmental protection and rehabilitation of land after mining. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Geological Science |
19 |
Geophysicist |
Studies the composition, structure and other physical attributes of the earth, locates minerals, petroleum or ground water and detects, monitors and forecasts seismic, magnetic, electrical, thermal and oceanographic activity. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Geological Science |
20 |
Materials Scientist |
Studies the properties and uses of non-metallic materials and advises on the technical aspects of their manufacture and processing. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Material Science |
21 |
Mineralogist |
Studies the chemistry, crystal structure and physical (including optical) properties of minerals. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Earth Science |
22 |
Hydrologist |
Research the distribution, circulation and physical properties of underground and surface waters and the form intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Water Resource Science |
23 |
Oceanographer |
Studies the physical, chemical and biological properties of the ocean water masses. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Water Resource Science |
25 |
General Biologist |
Studies the origin, anatomy, physiology, reproduction and behaviour of living organisms and the ways in which they interact with the environment in which they live. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Biological Science |
26 |
Biotechnologist |
Studies the anatomy, physiology, and characteristics of living organisms and isolated biological molecules and develops new materials for applying to a range of purposes. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Biological Science |
27 |
Microbiologist |
Studies microscopic forms of life such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Microbiological Science |
28 |
Zoologist |
Studies the anatomy, physiology, characteristics, ecology, behaviour and environments of animals. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Zoological Science |
29 |
Agricultural Scientist |
Studies commercial plants, animals, and cultivation techniques to enhance the productivity of farms and agricultural industries. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Agricultural Science |
30 |
Food and Beverage Scientist |
Studies the physical and chemical properties of food and beverages and develops new and improved food and beverage products and sets standards for producing, packaging and marketing food and beverages. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Food Science |
31 |
Conservation Scientist |
Develops and implements programs and regulations for the protection of fish, wildlife and other natural resources. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Conservation Science |
32 |
Environmental Scientist |
Studies and develops policies and plans for the control of factors which may produce pollution, imbalance or degradation of the environment. |
Masters Degree (NQF Level 9) |
Environmental Science |
45 |
Metallurgist |
Researches, develops, controls and provides advice on processes used in extracting metals from their ores, and processes used for casting, alloying, heat treating or welding refined metals, alloys and other materials to produce commercial metal products or develop new alloys and processes. |
Bachelor Honours Degree |
Material Science |
58 |
University Lecturer- Senior Lecturer and above for only those CESM categories listed in Annexure 2 |
Lectures students and conducts tutorials in one or more subjects within a prescribed course of a study at a university and conducts research in a particular field of knowledge. |
Professional Doctoral Qualifications (NQF Level 9) or Doctorate (NQF Level 10) |
Research is a requirement. As listed in Annexure 2: Finalisation of the Critical Skills List: A Technical Report 2022 | LMI (lmi-research.org.za) |
75 |
Data Scientist |
Data Scientist collect large amounts of unruly data and transforms it into a more usable format. They solve business-related problems using data driven techniques. They work with a variety of programming languages, including SAS, R and Python. They look for patterns in data, as well as spotting trends that hep businesses. Data Scientists use the most powerful programming systems and the most efficient algorithms to solve problems. |
Bachelors Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) |
Statistical Science |
86 |
Chemistry Technician |
Performs laboratory tests on organic and inorganic chemicals, analyses test data and carries out technical functions in support of chemists or chemical engineers and technologists in a wide variety of areas such as fuels, pharmaceuticals, paints, metals, plastics, textiles, detergents, paper, fertilisers and cosmetics. |
Diploma or Advanced Certificate (NQF Level 6) |
Chemical Science |
To be issued a confirmation of skills and qualifications letter you will need:
- To meet the minimum qualification requirement for the occupation name.
- To be registered as a Certificated or Professional Natural Scientist in an associated Field of Practice to the occupation name.
- To have a SAQA certificate for your highest foreign qualification, at a minimum.
- To have a minimum of five years relevant working experience in the occupation for which you are applying for a critical skills visa.
- A letter of employment or offer of employment on the company’s letterhead.
- A job description on the company’s letterhead.
- Letter of Good Standing (obtainable by the company from the Department of Employment and Labour).
