Now that you have your critical skills visa, and provided you have 5 years experience within the field, you qualify for permanent residency!

S27(b) of the Act States:

The Director-General may, subject to any prescribed requirements, issue a permanent residence permit to a foreigner of good and sound character who –

 (b) taking into account any prescribed requirement, has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Director General that he or she possesses extraordinary skills or qualifications, and to those members of such foreigner’s immediate family determined  by the Director-General under the circumstances or as may be prescribed;

 Regulation 24(4) states that:

The requirement contemplated in section 27(b) of the Act shall be the submission of-

• Proof that the applicant falls within the critical skills category in the form of-
• A certificate from the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA in terms of section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act or the relevant Department confirming the skills or qualifications of the applicant; and
• If required by law, a certificate of registration with the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA in terms of 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act
• Proof of post qualification experience of at least 5 years;
• Testimonials from previous employers and a comprehensive curriculum vitae; and
• A letter of motivation indicating that the critical skills possessed by the applicant will be to the benefit of the South African environment in which the person intends to operate and which relates to the critical skill in question.