Which Visa for Foreigners?

[Rusty1983]

Hello Guys,

I got a question, where someone maybe here may help me. Actually I am in my CPLH training in South Africa, but I am already looking for options on which Visa I will need then for later to get a job somewhere in South Africa/Africa.

I know the Work Visa is difficult and nearly impossible to get, then I thought maybe the Crucial or Critical Skills Visa would be perfect, but Pilots are not in there any more...so I am looking for options now.
Anyone already experience in such cases?
I am from Austria, if this would help maybe xD

Thx for your inputs,
BR, Rusty

[4runner]

Typically an employer needs to sponsor your visa. There's unemployed aviators in SA so look elsewhere. East Africa also has their own pilots, especially if you're not rated and experienced on anything. In some countries, it's possible to "negotiate" with "officials" for a visa and anything else buearocratic.

[EladElap]

It's tricky, almost impossible but can be done. A friend of mine who was a German national, managed to get a work permit in order to instruct a few years ago. It was a MASSIVE task from the employer to organise this. They (correctly so) have to prove that the foreign national is applying for a job, that no locals can do. They had to take out national newspaper adverts, advertising the position, and then show the Dept of Home Affairs, exactly why the foreigner was better suited to the position.

This whole process took ages. This was well over 7 years ago. Lately a colleague of mine from the EU, who's wife has worked for many many years at an AMO in South Africa, had her renewal denied. They were forced to move back to the EU as a result.

My advise would be to look further North, however being a fixed wing driver, I have no clue what the rotary options are up there. My biggest piece of advise would be to either obtain skills (such at some courses at Cranfield SA i.e. CATS/CARS training, SMS, QA, etc), or go somewhere where your existing skills (like the fact you speak German/French), will make you stand out from the rest of the crowd.

All the best with the rest of your training! :ok:

[4runner]

Hold on. You are helicopter or fixed wing monkey?

[Rusty1983]

i am helicopter pilot and completely free to go anywhere else on the world after my training. but id prefer to stay somewhere on the african continent. maybe namibia... there have to be somewhere a country on the world where i could get a job as heli pilot, which i havent found actually :-(

[Whenwe]

The low oil price has knocked a few Helicopter operators and the Nigerian situation has also put a few experienced pilots on the market

Good luck!