Introduction
A Critical Skills Visa is a unique type of work authorisation that provides opportunities for professionals whose skills have been identified as critical or in great shortage in South Africa. As one who may qualify as an Accounting Professional in the business, economic and management sector, a Critical Skills Work Visa will give you freedom and multiple opportunities to move up in your professional career as well as to improve your livelihood in SA. The omission of certain occupations related to the accounting profession, in the proposed Critical Skills List 2021, continues to bring many questions and concerns to many professionals who already qualify under the current Critical Skills List 2014.
Occupations found within the accounting and the accountancy profession were included under the Business, Economic, and Management Studies category in the current Critical Skills List 2014 because they play an essential role in economic development in SA. It is a well-known fact that economic development and growth will not be achieved if finances are not well managed. Accounting professionals render financial services to business owners and the community at large. Your skills as an accounting professional are seen as being more important now that the world is still grappling with the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic which contributed to the financial distress that just rocked both the local and global economy at large.
Proposed additional occupations in the accounting and the accountancy profession
In the current Critical Skills List, occupations in the accounting and the accountancy profession include Actuaries, Risk Assessors, External Auditors and Financial Investment Advisors. In as far as the proposed list in concerned there is one occupation omitted, i.e. Risk Assessor. The good news is that the same proposed list covers a wider range of skills or occupations within the accounting and the accountancy profession, these include Internal Auditor, Investment Advisor, Accounting Officer, General Accountant, Financial Accountant, Forensic Accountant, Investment Analyst, amongst others.
The role of professional bodies is very important in the entire Critical Skills Work Visa process. The Department heavily relies on the same bodies to confirm and attest to the credible skills and professional background of the visa applicant. The proposal of additional occupations in the accounting and accountancy profession also, at least potentially, gives more professional bodies to participate in the vetting, assessing and grading of foreign national professionals. This is an important step as more professionals would be offered opportunities to be considered for and reap the benefits of obtaining Critical Skills Work Visas.
As it stands now the current Critical Skills List 2014 remains valid and operational, as the proposed list is still undergoing review. Your fears and concerns on whether your Critical Skills Visa application may be potentially rejected, or the processing thereof being delayed, in light of the proposed list, is valid. However, the fact that the current list is very much operational and that it is appropriately used as the authority for skills or occupations deemed as critical in the SA, you can expect your Critical Skills Visa application to be processed without prejudice, subject to meeting the regulatory requirements.
We repeat, the proposed Critical Skills List is undergoing review, therefore it has neither been confirmed nor indicated as to when the new list will come into effect. It is during the implementation phase of the proposed list that we will anticipate authorities as well as certain professional bodies to still grapple with the new list. This means that if you wait for the same list to be implemented you risk losing the opportunity of obtaining professional recognition as an accounting professional, for purposes of obtaining a Critical Skills Visa, which will then make your professional profile less desirable to potential employers to practice as an accounting professional in SA. If your occupation is listed on the proposed list, nothing precludes you from preparing the way ahead. At Prestige Immigration Services we pride ourselves in providing professional assessment of your personal profile and current circumstances, so as to offer a clean and clear strategy towards meeting your goal of obtaining work authorisation in SA. Furthermore, we will be happy to take you through the entire visa process.
The benefits of having a Critical Skills Visa as an Accounting Professional
- You get vetted and granted professional membership with the appropriate professional body. This gives you many opportunities to contribute to the industry as well as grow your professional network in SA.
- You are permitted to obtain a Critical Skills Visa without an offer of employment which will grant you up to 1 year to arrive in SA and secure employment within the same period. Upon confirmation of employment your visa would then be extended to an additional 4 years.
- Your immediate family member would be eligible to obtain visas that will enable them to accompany you as a Critical Skills Visa holder.
- You potentially get an opportunity of obtaining South African permanent residency.
How to avoid being negatively impacted by the proposed changes
It is very important to get the application right the first time. Applying under the correct category with the correct professional membership and supporting documents is key to a successful visa application. It would therefore be beneficial for you to have a detailed assessment with our expert consultants to ensure that you get your application right the first time.
This is a 30–40-minute assessment call wherein we review your personal details, qualifications, current circumstances and map out an ideal outcome for you.
A lot of people do not understand the benefits of speaking to one of our consultants. We can work out a strategy and the best route for you to potentially save you so much pain and frustration that could result should you apply under a wrong category. It is only R750-00 and what is really great is that if you decide to go with us after the consultation, we deduct that off the fee that you would ordinarily pay, so essentially, the call is for free. It gives people so much guidance and insight because we deal with 100s of applications so we have knowledge and expertise that you would not have without speaking to one of our experts.
Should you wish to schedule a call, click on the LINK to make an online payment of R750. If you are not comfortable to make an online payment, please call us on +27 73 554 6567 or send an email to info@prestige-immigration.co.za
