Foreign Nationals at Work: Staying Compliant, Fair and Protected

South African employers employing foreign nationals are facing increased scrutiny. Joint inspections involving the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) and SAPS are intensifying, while changes to immigration policy and special permit arrangements are creating new questions for employers.

Whether foreign nationals are employed directly, through labour brokers or through subcontractors, employers need to understand where their responsibilities begin and end. Getting it wrong can expose the organisation—and potentially its directors and HR managers—to prosecution, fines, employment disputes and reputational damage.

Foreign Nationals at Work: Staying Compliant, Fair and Protected is a focused webinar designed to give employers practical guidance on managing foreign national employment lawfully and fairly.

Presented by Natalie Singer, a workforce consultant with extensive experience advising organisations on the compliant management of foreign nationals, the session moves beyond simply checking passports and permits. It examines the legal framework, due diligence processes, documentation requirements, inspection readiness and employment relations issues organisations need to understand.

What you'll learn

Who actually has the right to work?

Learn the difference between identity documentation and legal authorisation to work. Understand how status should be assessed across citizens, permanent residents, permit holders, refugees and asylum seekers.

The current legal framework

Get up to speed on the Immigration Act, Employment Services Act, National Labour Migration Policy, and the employment protections that apply regardless of an employee's immigration status.

ZEP, LEP and special status categories

Understand developments affecting Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) and Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) holders, including what the extension to 28 May 2027 means for employers.

Asylum seekers and the right to work

Learn how to interpret Section 22 and Section 24 permits, identify documentation concerns and avoid common assumptions about asylum seekers' employment rights.

Practical employer due diligence

Apply a practical due diligence checklist covering document verification, record-keeping and ongoing monitoring. Build evidence that supports a defensible good-faith compliance position if your organisation is challenged.

Labour broker and subcontractor risk

Understand where liability can arise in triangular employment relationships and what organisations should consider when using Temporary Employment Services (TES) providers, labour brokers and subcontractors.

Preparing for workplace inspections and raids

Know your organisation's rights and obligations before, during and after visits by DHA, DEL or SAPS, including what reception, security and site teams should know.

Dismissal and changing immigration status

Understand the difference between incapacity (no fault) and misconduct (fault) when work authorisation becomes an issue. Learn how to follow a legally defensible process and avoid mistakes identified in recent CCMA and Labour Court matters.

Who should attend?

This webinar is particularly relevant to HR Managers and Practitioners, Labour and Employee Relations professionals, business owners and directors, compliance teams, recruitment and staffing businesses, TES providers, payroll professionals, line managers, and anyone responsible for employing or managing foreign nationals in South Africa.

Event details

Date: 28 August 2026

Time: 09:00–11:00

Duration: 2 Hours

Platform: Zoom

Price: R950 excl. VAT per delegate

Presenter: Natalie Singer

Contact: info@globalbusiness.co.za for more info.

The session includes practical guidance, real-world scenarios and an opportunity for Q&A.

Presented by Global Business Solutions (GBS)—Your Partner in Strategic HR Compliance

All workshops are offered as customised in-house training that can be presented virtually or on-site.

*All courses and conferences are subject to minimum delegate numbers.

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