Government & Public Sector — Home Affairs

DHA Home Affairs Cadet Programme 2026

24-month learnership at the Department of Home Affairs feeding permanent Immigration Officer, Civic Services and Border Management Authority roles.

By GoCareers Team••9 min read

Apply via the official DHA advert

Status: Watch DHA recruitment notices

🚀 DHA vacancies 📋 Check requirements

Programme Overview

Programme Details

Provider:Department of Home Affairs (DHA)
Duration:24 months
NQF level:NQF Level 5
Stipend:DHA cadet stipend
Locations:National — Home Affairs offices, ports of entry and BMA posts
Positions:Hundreds of cadets per intake

Why join DHA?

  • ✓Direct pathway into the new Border Management Authority (BMA)
  • ✓Specialist career pathways — Immigration, Civic Services, Permits
  • ✓Public service benefits — medical aid, housing allowance, pension
  • ✓Funded internal upgrades via the DHA Learning Academy
  • ✓Deployment opportunities across all nine provinces and ports of entry

Entry Requirements

  • ✓South African citizen
  • ✓Age 18–35
  • ✓Grade 12 / NSC, or National Diploma in a relevant field
  • ✓No criminal record
  • ✓Strong English communication; second official language advantageous
  • ✓Willing to deploy anywhere in South Africa (incl. land borders, sea ports and airports)
  • ✓Medically fit
  • ✓Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply

DHA Streams

Immigration Services

Border posts, ports of entry, inspectorate and asylum services

Civic Services

ID, passport, birth, death and marriage services at DHA offices

Border Management Authority (BMA)

Single uniformed border-management service at land, sea and air ports

Permits and Visas

Visa processing, study and work permits, naturalisation

Programme Structure

1

Induction and theory

Months 1–6

Classroom training at the DHA Learning Academy — Immigration Act, Refugees Act, BMA Act, civic services regulations.

📍 DHA Learning Academy (Pretoria)

2

Rotational workplace exposure

Months 7–18

Rotations across DHA offices, ports of entry and BMA posts under qualified Immigration Officers and Civic Services managers.

📍 Allocated DHA / BMA posts

3

Final placement and absorption

Months 19–24

Specialist placement (Immigration / Civic / Permits) leading to permanent appointment as a Home Affairs official.

📍 Permanent DHA / BMA posting

Career Pathways at DHA

High performers typically progress to:

Immigration Officer (BMA)
Civic Services Officer (ID, Passport, BDM)
Permits and Visa Officer
Inspectorate Officer (deportations, raids)
Specialist Officer — asylum, naturalisation
Permanent DHA / BMA appointment with public service benefits

Documents to Submit

  • 📄Completed Z83 application form
  • 📄Certified copy of SA ID
  • 📄Certified Grade 12 / NSC (and National Diploma if held)
  • 📄Detailed CV with three contactable references
  • 📄Proof of residence
  • 📄Sworn affidavit declaring criminal record (or absence thereof)

Application Process

1

Watch DHA recruitment

DHA cadet adverts appear on dha.gov.za/vacancies and in the Government Gazette. They are also shared on DHA’s official Twitter/X account.

Periodic intakes
2

Download the Z83 form and complete the DHA application

DHA uses the standard Z83 application form plus a cadet-specific annex. Complete by hand in black pen.

Within the advert window
3

Post or hand-deliver your application

Submit to the address in the advert by post or hand-deliver to the DHA office stated. Email applications are not accepted unless the advert specifies otherwise.

Strict closing date
4

Shortlisting and interview

Shortlisted candidates attend a panel interview and a competency-based assessment.

After application closing
5

Vetting and security clearance

DHA runs full criminal-record and security vetting before any offer.

Pre-appointment
6

Sign your cadet contract

Successful candidates sign a 24-month learnership contract and report to the DHA Learning Academy.

Cohort start in advert

⚠️ DHA Recruitment — Avoid Scams

• DHA never charges an application fee — anyone asking for money is a scammer

• DHA adverts are published only on dha.gov.za/vacancies and the Government Gazette

• Use the standard Z83 application form — incomplete forms are screened out

• Border roles require willingness to deploy to remote ports of entry

• Any false statement on the application is grounds for dismissal even after appointment

Where to Find the Official Advert

Department of Home Affairs

🌐 dha.gov.za — vacancies

📰 Government Gazette + DHA official social channels

📍 DHA Hallmark Building, Pretorius Street, Pretoria

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