Intra-company transfer visa (ICT)



Intra-company transfer visa (ICT)
In today’s globalised world people who work in multinational companies are commonly transferred between countries. Where a person has been transferred into South Africa, they need to apply for the Intra-Company Transfer visa. Any applicant must have first worked for a minimum of six months in the company’s foreign office before applying to relocate and immigrate to the South African branch.
Under the new immigration law, this visa is issued for a period of four years and is not extendable. Should an applicant hold an ICT visa valid for two years (issued under the old act), then the applicant may apply for an extension of a further two years. However, those years do not count towards realising a permanent residence permit for South Africa.
Depending on whether you are being transferred or merely seconded to your company’s branch, you’ll need either a work visa or a business visa. If you are being transferred temporarily to a South African branch or affiliate and will be reported directly to, and on the payroll of, the local branch, then you will need a work visa. If, however, your company is seconding you to a South African branch or affiliate for a specific purpose and period – and you will still report directly to, and be on the payroll of, the parent company abroad – then you will not need a work visa. Instead, you should apply abroad for a business visa.

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