Primary briefing · Gazette
high impact 55036 · 7715 · 2026-07-20
TES Phase II: Home Affairs opens expressions of interest for priority visa processing
Effective from
20 Jul 2026
Government Notice 7715 of 20 July 2026 launches Phase II of the Trusted Employer Scheme, expanding eligibility beyond Phase I to include infrastructure projects (transport, water, digital communications), companies maintaining a global or regional head office in South Africa, and a novel Synthetic Financial Centre (SFC) pathway for financial institutions seeking SARB DTMC authorisation. Three separate scorecards apply, each requiring a minimum score of 80 points. Scorecard 1 targets employers with fixed capital investment above R100 million; Scorecard 2 targets those with cumulative CIT and PAYE contributions exceeding R500 million over the last two tax years; Scorecard 3 covers SFC applicants, who must achieve full SARB DTMC authorisation within 24 months or TES status lapses automatically. All scorecards require at least 60% of staff to be South African citizens or permanent residents (Scorecards 1 and 2) and a minimum of 5 SA citizen or permanent resident employees within 24 months for SFC applicants. Approved companies must enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department. Expressions of interest open 20 July 2026 and close 4 September 2026, with outcomes to be issued within 30 working days after closing.
Who is affected
Corporate employers with South African operationsMultinational companies with regional or global head offices in South AfricaInfrastructure project companies (transport, water, energy, digital communications)Financial institutions seeking SFC/DTMC participationImmigration law practitionersForeign investors and advanced manufacturing firms What this means for practitioners
Identify qualifying clients against the three scorecards and assess whether the 80-point minimum threshold is achievable before the 4 September 2026 deadline.
For SFC-pathway clients, confirm SARB DTMC authorisation status and advise on the 24-month conditional window that applies if TES status is granted.
Prepare and submit expressions of interest before the hard close on 4 September 2026.
Advise successful applicants on the requirement to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.
For Regional/Global Head Office applicants not yet established, note the 12-month establishment deadline following TES approval.