South Africa has introduced new employment rules that prioritises citizens and permanent residents, it requires employers to hire locals first. This Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) provides expedited visa processing only to accredited companies investing meaningfully in South Africa.
As per the new rules, participating employers must have at least 60% of their workforce made up of South African citizens or permanent residents. The scheme targets companies in strategic sectors and aims to attract investment and critical skills while addressing public concerns about foreign labour.
Fast-tracked Visas for Trusted Employers
Built on an idea of fast-tracked visas for a select group of trusted employers, the second phase of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) expands the programme to more sectors while tying faster visa processing to stronger commitments on local hiring, investment and skills development.
The scheme allows accredited employers to benefit from expedited visa processing, but only if they demonstrate meaningful investment in South Africa, employ predominantly local workers and invest in skills development.
This announcement came weeks after anti-immigration protests and growing public pressure, as the employment of foreign nationals reignited debate over South Africa’s labour market. The government has presented reforms as part of its broader immigration modernisation agenda. The new hiring requirements mirror one of the central demands of recent anti-immigration campaigns that South Africans should be given priority in the country’s workforce.
South Africa🇿🇦 has introduced new employment rules prioritizing citizens and permanent residents, requiring employers to hire locals first.
The Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) provides expedited visa processing only to accredited companies investing meaningfully in South Africa🇿🇦.… pic.twitter.com/IChPIk4qDw
— Business Insider Africa (@BusInsiderSSA) July 23, 2026
Demonstrate Meaningful Investment in Nation
Under the new framework, only accredited employers will be allowed to benefit from the Trusted Employer Scheme. To qualify, companies must demonstrate meaningful investment in South Africa, employ predominantly South African citizens or permanent residents, invest in local skills development and operate in priority sectors of the economy.
Considering this, Department of Home Affairs said that the businesses seeking membership must first submit an expression of interest, after which the department reserves the right to grant or refuse membership status of any company.
The official gazette launched states that the Department of Home Affairs will make the final selection, and applicants will be advised of the outcome. Successful companies will then enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the department before accessing the programme’s immigration benefits.
The second phase expands the programme beyond its initial rollout to include companies involved in strategic infrastructure projects along with the firms establishing or operating regional and global headquarters in South Africa.
South Africa as Premier Investment Destination
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the overarching objective of TES Phase-II is to support government efforts to position South Africa as Africa’s premier investment destination.
Officially approved employers will benefit from simplified visa requirements and priority processing for applications involving senior executives, technical specialists, corporate professionals and investors. They will reduce administrative delays that have been creating barrier to investment.
The government further stated that the expansion follows the success of the programme’s first phase and forms part of broader reforms to make South Africa’s immigration system more efficient while supporting economic growth. Also, the strict eligibility criteria reflect Pretoria’s attempt to respond to mounting domestic pressure over unemployment by ensuring that foreign recruitment complements rather than displacing the local workforce.
Notably, with increased immigration and job creation it is dominating public discourse. The Trusted Employer Scheme illustrates South Africa’s effort to reconcile two competing priorities: attracting the global skills and capital which needs to grow the economy while safeguarding employment opportunities for its own citizens.