Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) Phase II has opened
In a major development for corporate South Africa and international investors, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has officially launched Phase II of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES). The move represents a critical step forward in modernizing the country’s immigration architecture, reducing bureaucratic friction, and helping South Africa compete more effectively for global capital and high-level skills.
Expressions of interest for Phase II officially opened on 20 July 2026 and will remain open until 4 September 2026. Following the assessment process, outcomes are expected to be issued within 30 working days after the closing date.
Expanding the Horizons of Corporate Immigration
While the pilot phase of the TES focused on establishing a risk-based framework for established local employers, Phase II significantly broadens the scheme’s reach.
Commenting on the launch on LinkedIn, Andreas Krensel, Managing Director of IBN Immigration Solutions, highlighted the strategic importance of the update:
“This is a development I feel strongly about because, when implemented well, the TES creates a practical bridge between South Africa’s economic ambitions and the skills, investment, and business activity needed to achieve them.”
Rather than relying on a single assessment model, Phase II introduces three distinct qualification pathways, ensuring that diverse business models—from local multinationals to financial services hubs – are evaluated on their unique contributions to the economy:
- South African-Based Operations: Tailored for local, established corporate entities driving domestic investment and employment
- Regional or Global Head Offices: Designed for multinational enterprises that currently maintain—or intend to establish—their regional or global headquarters in South Africa (incorporating strategic infrastructure project operators).
- Synthetic Financial Centres (SFCs): A specialised framework for qualifying financial sector institutions aimed at bolstering South Africa’s standing as a continental financial hub.
What TES Status Means for Businesses
For accredited corporate employers, membership in the Trusted Employer Scheme offers transformative operational advantages. By removing key administrative hurdles – such as waiving standard Department of Employment and Labour recommendations for General Work Visas and streamlining evaluation requirements for Critical Skills—the scheme dramatically cuts down application timelines.
ere is the draft article written for The South Africa Trade Desk, incorporating the insights and commentary from Andreas Krensel, along with the latest official details surrounding the scheme.
Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) Phase II Has Opened
In a major development for corporate South Africa and international investors, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has officially launched Phase II of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES). The move represents a critical step forward in modernizing the country’s immigration architecture, reducing bureaucratic friction, and helping South Africa compete more effectively for global capital and high-level skills.
Fragomen+ 1
Expressions of interest for Phase II officially opened on 20 July 2026 and will remain open until 4 September 2026. Following the assessment process, outcomes are expected to be issued within 30 working days after the closing date.
George Herald
Expanding the Horizons of Corporate Immigration
While the pilot phase of the TES focused on establishing a risk-based framework for established local employers, Phase II significantly broadens the scheme’s reach.
IBN Immigration Solutions
Commenting on the launch on LinkedIn, Andreas Krensel, Managing Director of IBN Immigration Solutions, highlighted the strategic importance of the update:
“This is a development I feel strongly about because, when implemented well, the TES creates a practical bridge between South Africa’s economic ambitions and the skills, investment, and business activity needed to achieve them.”
Rather than relying on a single assessment model, Phase II introduces three distinct qualification pathways, ensuring that diverse business models—from local multinationals to financial services hubs—are evaluated on their unique contributions to the economy:
IBN Immigration Solutions
- South African-Based Operations: Tailored for local, established corporate entities driving domestic investment and employment.Fragomen
- Regional or Global Head Offices: Designed for multinational enterprises that currently maintain—or intend to establish—their regional or global headquarters in South Africa (incorporating strategic infrastructure project operators).IBN Immigration Solutions
- Synthetic Financial Centres (SFCs): A specialized framework for qualifying financial sector institutions aimed at bolstering South Africa’s standing as a continental financial hub.
To qualify under any of the three pathways, applicants must achieve a minimum threshold of 80 points out of 100 on the designated scorecard.
What TES Status Means for Businesses
For accredited corporate employers, membership in the Trusted Employer Scheme offers transformative operational advantages. By removing key administrative hurdles—such as waiving standard Department of Employment and Labour recommendations for General Work Visas and streamlining evaluation requirements for Critical Skills—the scheme dramatically cuts down application timelines.
Key benefits for approved TES members include:
- Priority Visa Processing: Expedited turnaround times for foreign executives, technical specialists, and critical skill holders.
- Reduced Documentation: Streamlined documentary requirements for corporate immigration applications.
- Global Recognition: Priority benefits apply consistently whether visa applications are lodged within South Africa or through South African missions abroad.
Positioning South Africa as an Investment Magnet
The Department of Home Affairs has explicitly stated that the overarching goal of Phase II is to cement South Africa’s position as a premier investment destination across Africa.
As Krensel notes, the true value of Phase II lies in its alignment with broader economic strategy:
“What stands out to me is that the programme is clearly designed to attract investment, encourage skills transfer, support job creation, and position South Africa as a more competitive destination for international business.”
By shifting away from a one-size-fits-all immigration mechanism to a risk-based, digital-first system, South Africa is sending a clear signal to the international business community: the country is open for business, ready for investment, and committed to enabling the cross-border movement of key talent.
For international firms looking to establish a presence in Africa, or South African enterprises scaling their cross-border operations, Phase II of the Trusted Employer Scheme represents an essential window of opportunity.
