On 20 July 2026, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs published an invitation for eligible corporate employers to submit expressions of interest for Phase II of the Trusted Employer Scheme (“TES Phase II”). The notice provides that TES Phase II is being expanded to include infrastructure projects and companies that maintain and manage a Global Head Office or Regional Head Office in South Africa, with a separate pathway for Synthetic Financial Centres in the South African financial sector. Expressions of interest opened on 20 July 2026 and will close on 4 September 2026.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) membership may provide qualifying employers, investors, or businesses with priority processing of visa applications due to reduced requirements and supporting documents. The scheme may be relevant for organizations seeking to deploy senior executives, technical personnel, corporate employees, and investors to South Africa, particularly where the organization qualifies under one of the TES Phase II scorecard pathways. For global mobility and HR teams, the notice creates a defined application window and sets out scoring criteria, supporting-document expectations, and review timelines that may affect planning for South Africa-bound assignments.
Background
The Trusted Employer Scheme is intended to help South Africa attract skills and manage immigration, particularly in the processing of applications for senior executives, technical personnel, corporate employees, and investors. The notice states that TES is not for the employment of unskilled and low-wage labor.
Key Highlights
Selection process
- Expressions of interest for Phase II of the Trusted Employer Scheme opened on 20 July 2026 and close on 4 September 2026. Outcomes are expected to be issued within 30 working days after the closing date.
- Corporate companies that are registered and operational in South Africa and wish to be considered for TES Phase II membership are required to submit an expression of interest using the Trusted Employer Scheme link available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Applications are required to include the information specified in the selection criteria and be supported by the documents listed in the TES Phase II Application Form.
- Applicants are required to select only one pathway; the notice states that using more than one pathway may result in disqualification.
- The notice sets out three scorecard pathways: South African-based operations; companies with an existing or intended Regional or Global Head Office in South Africa; and Synthetic Financial Centres in the South African financial sector.
- A minimum score of 80 points is required. Results are to be reviewed and validated by an interdepartmental committee that includes officials from the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and other relevant departments.
- The Department of Home Affairs makes the final selection and advises applicants of the outcome. Approved companies are expected to be willing to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department.
- The decision of the TES Inter-Departmental Committee is final, and the Department of Home Affairs reserves the right to grant or refuse TES Phase II membership status to any company.
Selection criteria
Score card 1: Pathway for South African-based operations
NR | Factor | Explainer | Points |
1 | Pledges/ Proven investment | Annexure A | 30 |
2 | Employment | 25 | |
3 | Economic sector | 25 | |
4 | Skills development | 20 | |
Total | 100 | ||
Score card 2: Pathway for companies with existing or intended regional / head office in South Africa
NR | Factor | Explainer | Points |
1 | Local presence | Annexure B | 15 |
2 | Financial contribution | 50 | |
3 | Employment | 20 | |
4 | Economic sector | 15 | |
Total | 100 | ||
Score card 3: Pathway for Synthetic Financial Centres (SFC) in the South African Financial Sector
NR | Factor | Explainer | Points |
1 | SARB exchange control authorisation / Extended DTMC framework | Annexure C | 40 |
2 | Recognised regulatory standing (International or Domestic) | 20 | |
3 | SFC market infrastructure commitment | 20 | |
4 | SFC VFO certification | 15 | |
5 | Skills transfer commitment | 5 | |
Total | 100 | ||
KPMG INSIGHTS
TES Phase II introduces a time-bound opportunity for eligible corporate employers, investors, and businesses to seek access to a recognized pathway for priority processing of certain South African visa applications. The scorecard approach also means that interested employers may need to assess eligibility against detailed criteria before deciding whether to submit an expression of interest.
Employers and mobility teams might wish to consider:
- Review whether their South African operations, intended head-office structure, infrastructure activities, or financial-sector activities align with one of the TES Phase II pathways.
- Identify the supporting documentation required under the relevant pathway before submitting an expression of interest.
- Confirm that only one pathway is selected, given the notice’s statement that selecting more than one pathway may result in disqualification.
- Review pending or planned South Africa mobility cases that may benefit if the employer is admitted to TES Phase II.
- Monitor Department of Home Affairs communications for any additional procedural instructions connected with the TES application portal or post-approval Memorandum of Agreement process.
If readers have any questions or concerns about the scope of the update, its application and potential impacts, and appropriate next steps, they should consult with their qualified immigration professional or a member of the GMS immigration team with KPMG in South Africa (see the Contacts section).
ENDNOTE:
1 Department of Home Affairs, Republic of South Africa, “Invitation to corporate employers to submit an expression of interest in Phase II of the Trusted Employer Scheme of the Department of Home Affairs ,” published on 20 July 2026.
Contacts
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in South Africa.
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