For those foreigners who have the scarce skills that are indicated on the Quota Skills List (issued by the Department of Home Affairs on a yearly basis), a Quota Work permit can be obtained before an employment offer is received.  

If a foreigner enters the country on a Quota work permit, the holder must submit confirmation of having secured employment within a specific category within 90 days after arrival to the Department.

Once obtaining a South African Quota Work permit, while in South Africa, the foreigner has 90 days to secure employment, thereafter, a General Work permit will be obtained for the same foreigner (once employment has been secured).

For those foreigners who are seen to have exceptional/extraordinary skills, no employer is required when obtaining an Exceptional Skills permit – there is no period limit for securing employment on an Exceptional Skills permit.

For further information on South African work permits, please see here

Information supplied by www.intergate-immigration.com