By EZ Visa Immigration | www.ezvisa.co.za
South Africa’s immigration and labour enforcement environment is tightening, and employers can no longer afford to overlook work visa verification. Recent inspections by the Department of Employment and Labour have resulted in numerous companies being fined for hiring undocumented or incorrectly documented foreign nationals.
At EZ Visa Immigration, we assist employers in protecting their businesses by verifying the legitimacy of work permits and ensuring full immigration compliance.
Under the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, employers are legally responsible for ensuring that every foreign national they hire has valid authorization to work. Hiring a person who lacks the correct visa or permit can expose a company—and its directors—to fines of up to R100,000 per offence, or even imprisonment for repeat violations.
Beyond legal penalties, non-compliance can cause reputational harm, loss of contracts, and business disruption during inspections or enforcement actions.
Before employment begins, employers should confirm the following:
Valid Work Authorization
The visa or permit must clearly allow the person to work in South Africa.
Correct Employer or Occupation
Some work visas are employer-specific. A foreign national cannot legally work for another company without an amended visa.
Permit Conditions and Expiry Dates
Employers should monitor expiry dates to avoid accidental illegal employment.
Identity Verification
The name and passport number must match the visa or permit presented.
Foreign nationals may hold one of several types of work authorization, including:
General Work Visa
Critical Skills Work Visa
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
Corporate Visa
Spousal or Life Partner Visa (with work endorsement)
Refugee or Asylum Seeker Permit (if work rights are granted)
Each visa type carries specific conditions. Employers must ensure that the visa aligns with the position and the company’s operations.
Conduct right-to-work checks before employment starts.
Keep copies of all visa and ID documents on file.
Use a compliance tracker to monitor visa expiry dates.
Apply checks consistently across all staff to avoid discrimination risks.
Perform regular internal audits to ensure ongoing compliance.
EZ Visa Immigration provides tailored support to help employers maintain compliance with immigration and labour laws:
Work Visa Verification – Confirming the authenticity and validity of permits.
Right-to-Work Audits – Reviewing workforce documentation and identifying compliance gaps.
Permit Renewals and Amendments – Managing renewals and ensuring continued authorization.
Employer Training – Educating HR teams on visa types, conditions, and required documents.
Our team works closely with employers and HR departments to ensure that every foreign national in your workforce is employed legally and compliantly.
Compliance is not just about avoiding penalties; it’s about operating with integrity and maintaining a trusted, lawful workplace.
Contact EZ Visa Immigration today to verify your workforce and ensure your business is fully compliant with South African immigration law.
Visit: www.ezvisa.co.za
Email: info@ezvisa.co.za