How to Improve Your Visa Points Score for South Africa
South Africa's points-based visa system scores applicants on education, work experience, age, language, and other factors. Here is how to improve your score to qualify for a visa.
Key Takeaways
- You need 100 points to qualify for a points-based visa
- Education and work experience are the highest-scoring categories
- Age is a fixed factor — younger applicants score higher
- Language proficiency adds up to 10 points
- A job offer or South African spouse adds significant bonus points
Education points
Education is one of the highest-scoring categories. A PhD scores 25 points, a Master's degree 23 points, a Bachelor's degree 20 points, and a diploma 18 points. Getting additional qualifications is one of the most effective ways to boost your score.
- PhD: 25 points
- Master's degree: 23 points
- Bachelor's degree: 20 points
- Diploma: 18 points
- Matric/equivalent: 15 points
Work experience points
Work experience in your field adds points. More years of experience = more points. Having experience in a Critical Skills occupation adds bonus points.
- 5+ years experience: up to 20 points
- Critical Skills occupation: bonus points
- South African work experience: bonus points
- Management experience: additional points
Other ways to boost your score
Language proficiency, a job offer, and having a South African spouse or permanent resident partner all add significant points to your application.
- English proficiency: up to 10 points
- Confirmed job offer: up to 20 points
- South African spouse/partner: up to 20 points
- Relative in SA: 5 points
- SAQA-evaluated foreign qualifications score higher
Ready to see your own numbers?
Use the Visa Points Calculator