See how your organisation can adapt and thrive amid growing competition for critical talent. Download the 2025 Critical Skills Survey Report Summary here: https://www.xpatweb.com/2025-critical...

South Africa’s 2025 Critical Skills Survey highlights the professions most in demand and the increasing urgency for skilled recruitment across key industries. In this video, Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director at Xpatweb, examines the data behind the shortages, the progress achieved through immigration reforms, and the real implications for employers seeking global expertise.

00:00 – Introduction: Why the 2025 Critical Skills Survey matters
01:20 – The challenge of sourcing critically skilled professionals
03:15 – How the Trusted Employer Scheme improves foreign talent acquisition
05:10 – The top 10 hardest skills to recruit in South Africa
10:00 – The growing role of policy reform in enabling global talent mobility

#CriticalSkills #SouthAfrica #TalentAcquisition #WorkforceDevelopment #Xpatweb

At Xpatweb’s 5th Annual Global Mobility Conference, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Finance, Ashor Sarupen emphasised that the country must urgently address its electricity and logistics challenges to attract global investment and scarce skills. 
 
He highlighted that structural reforms in energy, ports and transport infrastructure are critical to unlocking growth, lowering costs and creating jobs. Sarupen further noted that for every highly skilled migrant brought into South Africa, seven local jobs are created. 
 
Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb, called on corporates to participate in the Critical Skills Survey, a vital tool in shaping South Africa’s National Critical Skills List. 
 
#GlobalMobility #CriticalSkills #SouthAfricaEconomy 

The High Court has ordered the Department of Home Affairs to stop adding unofficial hurdles to visa applications, such as demanding long term lease agreements which have no basis in law.
 
In this interview on Moneyweb, Aadil Wadee, Senior Immigration Consultant discusses how the Court responded after a South African mission abroad refused to accept a Critical Skills Visa application. 
 
Contact Visa Litigation South Africa | Get Legal Support
 
Key Topics Covered:
 
00:00 – Court Rules Against Visa Gatekeeping 
00:26 – Urgent Court Order and Legal Implications 
01:22 – Why This Case Was Exceptional 
02:15 – Widespread Issues Across Global Missions 
05:27 – Enforcement and Future Precedent 
 
#ImmigrationLaw #VisaApplicationRights #southafricavisa

South Africa has the talent, location, and potential to become a global investment hub, but can regulatory reform, global mobility, and a stable tax environment turn that potential into reality? 
 
In this thought-provoking discussion, DM Ashor Sarupen (Deputy Minister of Finance), Prof Keith Engel (CEO, South African Institute of Taxation), and Jeremy Maggs (Renowned Media Personality and Master of Ceremonies) share expert insights on how South Africa can leverage reform to attract foreign investment and accelerate growth. 
 
For more insights and highlights from this episode, visit our highlights page: https://bit.ly/3HGLjAR  
 
Topics covered: 
 
00:10 - Leveraging Global Mobility to attract foreign investment into South Africa 
01:06 - Regulatory Reform and Ease of Doing Business Globally 
02:29 - South African Tax Stability and Investor Confidence  
05:18 - Local Government and potential for Efficiency 
07:42 - Political Will and the Path to Reform  
 
#SouthAfricaInvestment #GlobalMobility #TaxReform

In this exclusive vodcast, Xpatweb hosts the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Higher Education and Training to unpack South Africa’s Critical Skills List. Hear directly from government leaders on aligning skills with workforce needs, public input, and the importance of employer participation. 
 
Key highlights include: 

00:00 Why the Critical Skills List Matters 

01:29 Government Collaboration on the Critical Skills List 

02:23 Labour Market Intelligence and Skills Alignment 

05:03 Business Struggles and the Role of International Recruitment 

07:12 How the Critical Skills List Is Researched and Built 

09:59 Stakeholder Consultations and Public Participation 

12:32 Identifying Emerging Occupations and Sector Needs 

20:06 Economic Impact of Critical Skills and Visa Reform 

24:18 Timeline and Expectations for the New List 

32:26 Closing Remarks and Call for Stakeholder Input 
 
Have your say in the 2025 Critical Skills Survey: https://bit.ly/44RvzE2
 
#CriticalSkillsList #GlobalMobility #WorkVisa

Have you, like thousands of others, had your visa application rejected by the Department of Home Affairs?

You are not alone. South Africa’s visa backlog is leading to a surge in rejections even for well-prepared applications. But a rejection does not mean the end of the road.

Our immigration team understands the urgency and complexity of appealing visa outcomes. From work and spousal visas to permanent residence permits, we help applicants challenge unfair rejections with tailored solutions.

Watch the full episode now.

#VisaAppeal #Xpatweb #ImmigrationSouthAfrica #VisaRejection #VisaPodcast #HomeAffairsBacklog

Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb, joined OFM’s “The Business Hour” to expand on key takeaways from the B20 Summit Launch in Cape Town and South Africa’s role in the G20 Presidency. 
 
Key takeaways include: 
The B20’s impact on global economic policy 
The need for agile immigration frameworks to boost workforce mobility 
How skills mobility can unlock economic opportunities for Africa 
The transition from policy recommendations to real-world implementation 

With inclusive growth, shared prosperity, and international cooperation as core themes, this year’s B20 is set to deliver measurable change. 
 
Read our latest article for expert insights on the future of global mobility: https://bit.ly/4kOMIUw
 
#Xpatweb #B20 #G20 #WorkforceMobility #GlobalTalent #ImmigrationPolicy #BusinessLeadership #TradeAndInvestment #EconomicGrowth #TalentAcquisition

Tune in as Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb, and Phindiwe Mbhele, Director of Corporate Accounts at the Department of Home Affairs, discuss the status of the visa backlog which was at the top of the agenda in 2024.

In this episode, they look at the challenges, ongoing improvements and what this means for current and future applicants.

If you are waiting for a visa outcome or considering applying, this podcast is packed with updates you need to know. 

#Xpatweb #WorkVisas #RemoteWorkVisa #Podcast #DigitalNomads #SouthAfrica #VisaUpdates #RemoteWorkOpportunities

Tune in to our latest podcast discussing South Africa’s newly gazetted Points-Based System that was introduced in October of last year, with Marisa Jacobs (Managing Director of Xpatweb) and Phindiwe Mbhele ( Director of Corporate Accounts at the Department of Home Affairs).

This framework awards points for applicants to be scored based on their occupation, qualifications and work experience in order to qualify for a work visa and aims to help employers bring in new talent to South Africa.

They will break down the scoring criteria and share insights into how the system benefits skilled professionals and aims to attract top talent to drive economic growth. 

#Xpatweb #WorkVisas #RemoteWorkVisa #Podcast #DigitalNomads #SouthAfrica #VisaUpdates #RemoteWorkOpportunities

Tune into this engaging and insightful podcast with Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb and Phindiwe Mbhele, Director of Corporate Accounts at the Department of Home Affairs, as they discuss South Africa’s Remote Work Visa that came into effect last year.
 
 The Remote Work Visa allows individuals to work for a foreign employer while residing in South Africa.
 
 This visa caters to a diverse group of professionals who value flexibility, cultural experiences and the opportunity to contribute to South Africa’s growth. 
 
From the application process and eligibility criteria to the benefits for professionals wanting to work remotely in South Africa, this episode is your ultimate guide.