- South African talent. Internationally aligned
Country Info
Explore South Africa’s hiring laws, tax rules, and employment culture. Make confident business decisions with our complete country insights.
Cape Town
Johannesburg
8 global markets
GLOBAL RELAY
SAST · UTC+2
Near-full working-day overlap with Europe and practical coverage for international teams.
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SOUTH AFRICA AT A GLANCE
Local rules.
Global opportunity.
Everything an international employer needs to orient the first decision.
Country hiring guide
SouthAfrica
What it costs, what the law requires, and when the country stops working. Everything you need before you make your first hire.
Employer cost
What you pay on top
of the salary
Three mandatory contributions, all calculated on gross salary. One of them is capped, which means your true cost falls below the headline rate as salaries rise.
Combined rate
Of gross salary, before the UIF ceiling is applied. Above R17 712 per month, the effective rate starts to drop.
Statutory leave
Time off, by law
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act sets the floor. Many employers offer more, but no contract may offer less.
Annual leave
Untaken leave carries into the next cycle for six months before it is forfeited. Any balance is paid out on termination.
Sick leave
Roughly six weeks across a rolling three year cycle rather than an annual allowance, so it does not reset every January.
Family responsibility leave
For a sick child under 18, or the death of a spouse or life partner, parent, adoptive parent, child, adopted child, grandchild, grandparent or sibling.
Maternity leave
Unpaid by statute. Employers may choose to top it up, but they are not required to.
Parental leave
Available on the birth or adoption of a child, for the parent not taking maternity leave.
On unpaid leave. Where a company offers no maternity or paternity benefit, employees can claim from the Unemployment Insurance Fund for the duration of their leave, provided they meet the contribution and eligibility requirements.
Public holidays
Twelve days the country
takes off
Ten fall on fixed dates. Two move with Easter. December carries three of them in a single fortnight, which is worth knowing before you set a year end deadline.
Income tax
A progressive scale
Individual income tax is withheld by the employer and calculated on progressive rates, so higher earnings are taxed at higher marginal rates rather than the whole salary moving into one band.
Work visas
Bringing people in
Foreign nationals have several temporary work visa routes: general employment, inter company transfer, highly skilled migrant, or business entrepreneur. Opportunities are far more limited for unskilled and semi skilled roles, and the right route depends on the applicant's employment, financial and skills position.
Critical Skills Work Visa
The Department of Home Affairs periodically publishes a list of skills in demand. Applicants who hold one of those skills can apply on this route, and under certain conditions can go on to apply for permanent residency.
Corporate Visa
Granted to a corporate entity rather than an individual, allowing the company to employ a pre agreed number of foreign workers over the period.
For a specific role a local candidate could not fill.
For moving existing staff into a South African entity.
For specialist skills outside the critical skills list.
For founders establishing or investing in a business.
Worth knowing
The things people
actually talk about
The only country to have won it four times. Expect the office to stop during a final.
Braaivleis, cooked over open coals. It is a social institution more than a menu item.
The most recognised South African, and the reference point for much of the country's modern identity.
Abbreviations
Two you will meet early
Basic Conditions of Employment Act. The statute that sets minimum working hours, leave and termination conditions.
Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration. Where workplace disputes and dismissal claims are heard.
UTC+2
European working-day overlap
English
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