💼 Job hunting abroad as a South African
How to get your CV, qualifications and visa situation ready for employers in the UK, Australia, NZ, Canada, the Gulf and Europe.
Updated 4 October 2026
South Africans have a strong reputation abroad: good English, hard-working and adaptable, with qualifications that are widely recognised. The hard part is usually the paperwork, not the job. Here's how to make it easier.
Start with roles that sponsor visas
Unless you already have the right to work somewhere (through an ancestry visa, a partner, or a second passport), focus on employers who sponsor. On Saffa.global use the visa sponsorship & relocation filter. Fully remote roles that accept South African residents are another route, with no visa needed: see remote jobs.
- United Kingdom: the Skilled Worker visa needs a job offer from an employer with a sponsor licence. The UK government publishes the register of licensed sponsors, so check a company is on it before you apply.
- Australia: employer sponsorship (the Skills in Demand / temporary skilled visas) or points-tested permanent visas. Most occupations first need a skills assessment from the relevant body (for example Engineers Australia, VETASSESS or AHPRA for health workers).
- New Zealand: the Accredited Employer Work Visa needs an accredited employer. Professional registration (Nursing Council, Teaching Council and so on) often comes first.
- Canada: Express Entry is points-based. You'll usually need an Educational Credential Assessment (for example from WES) and an English test.
- UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia: work visas are tied to your employer, who arranges them, and housing allowances are common. Get attested copies of your degrees before you start applying.
Fix your CV for the local market
- Drop your ID number, photo, marital status and date of birth. Employers in the UK, Australia, NZ and Canada don't expect them, and some are not allowed to consider them.
- Keep it to two pages, with achievements rather than duties: "cut month-end close from 10 to 6 days" says more than "responsible for month-end".
- Explain South African terms: write "CA(SA), equivalent to ACA/CPA" and name the companies (for example "Standard Bank, one of Africa's largest banks").
- Add a line on your work rights: "Requires Skilled Worker sponsorship" or "Holds UK Ancestry visa, full right to work".
Professions in demand
Nurses, doctors, teachers, accountants, engineers (mining, civil, electrical), electricians and other trades, and IT professionals are repeatedly on shortage lists in the UK, Australia, NZ and Canada. Use the category filters to see what's open right now.