Immigration Glossary
Plain-language explanations of South African immigration terms. No jargon, no legalese.
DHA
Department of Home Affairs - the government department that makes visa decisions
VFS
VFS Global - the outsourced company that receives and returns visa applications
SAQA
South African Qualifications Authority - evaluates foreign qualifications
PBS
Points-Based System - scoring system for General Work visas (100 points needed)
adjudicator
The DHA official who reviews and decides on your visa application
apostille
An official certification that a document is authentic (for Hague Convention countries)
biometrics
Fingerprint capture (all 10 fingers) required at VFS for all visa types
certified copy
A copy of a document verified as authentic by a commissioner of oaths
concession
A temporary government exemption or extension (e.g., pending visa concession)
critical skills
Occupations in high demand in SA - eligible for the Critical Skills Work Visa
directive
An instruction from the Minister of Home Affairs that changes immigration rules
gazette
Official government publication where new laws and regulations are announced
notarised
A document signed and stamped by a notary public to confirm authenticity
permanent residence
The right to live and work in SA indefinitely (Sections 26 and 27)
police clearance
A certificate confirming no criminal record (required from every country you lived 12+ months)
Section 11
Visitor's visa - for tourism, business visits, and medical treatment
Section 19
Work visas - General Work (19(2)), Intra-Company Transfer (19(3)), Critical Skills (19(4))
Section 27
Permanent residence on various grounds - work, spouse, exceptional skills, business, retirement
undesirable person
Someone declared prohibited from entering SA (overstay, fraud, criminal record)
yellow fever
Vaccination certificate required for nationals from endemic countries
ZEP
Zimbabwean Exemption Permit - special permit for Zimbabwean nationals
ECSA
Engineering Council of South Africa - registers engineers for professional practice
HPCSA
Health Professions Council of SA - registers doctors, dentists, and other health professionals
MIE
Managed Integrity Evaluation - employment verification service (required per Directive 1/2022)
affidavit
A written statement confirmed by oath, used as evidence in visa applications
sworn translation
A translation done by a certified translator and sworn as accurate