Where can South Africa passport holders work?
Of the 26 destinations covered here, South Africa passport holders need a permit or visa to work in every one. Each destination below names the permit it requires.
Permit required26
- AustraliaPermit required
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
- AustriaPermit required
Red-White-Red Card
- CanadaPermit required
Work permit (employer-specific or open)
- ChinaPermit required
Z work visa, then a work permit and residence permit
- Czech RepublicPermit required
Employee Card
- DenmarkPermit required
Residence and work permit (Pay Limit or Positive List scheme)
- FinlandPermit required
Residence permit for an employed person, or a specialist permit
- FrancePermit required
Long-stay work visa (salaried employment or Talent Passport)
- GermanyPermit required
EU Blue Card or national work visa
- IrelandPermit required
Employment permit (Critical Skills or General)
- ItalyPermit required
Work visa (national type D) under the decreto flussi quota
- JapanPermit required
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services, or another work status of residence
- MalaysiaPermit required
Employment Pass
- NetherlandsPermit required
Highly skilled migrant permit or single permit (GVVA)
- New ZealandPermit required
Accredited Employer Work Visa
- NorwayPermit required
Skilled worker residence permit
- PolandPermit required
Work permit plus a national visa, or a single temporary residence and work permit
- PortugalPermit required
Work visa (national visa), then a residence permit
- SingaporePermit required
Employment Pass, S Pass, or Work Permit
- South KoreaPermit required
Work visa matching the role (E-7, E-2, E-9 and similar)
- SpainPermit required
Initial temporary residence and work authorisation
- SwedenPermit required
Work permit
- SwitzerlandPermit required
Work permit (L or B), subject to annual quotas
- United Arab EmiratesPermit required
Work permit and employment residence visa
- United KingdomPermit required
Skilled Worker visa
- United StatesPermit required
Employer-sponsored temporary worker visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1 and similar)
Tourist visa requirements for a South Africa passport
Data last verified: 2026-07-28
Not legal or immigration advice.Requirements change without notice and vary by circumstance - always confirm with the destination country’s embassy, consulate, or official government source before booking or traveling. Full disclaimer.