However, South Africa would have to aim to attract the migrants from non-African countries.

"We don't want a brain drain from Africa to South Africa."

Asked what sort of visa process would be put in place to attract skilled migrants, he said the department would have to come up with a policy attractive to skilled migrants.

"We are competing with the rest of the world. We have to be able to sell our country," he said.

He said one possible measure could be the offer of permanent residence to skilled migrants after three years.