South African Study Visa

A South African Study Visa is designed for individuals seeking to pursue academic studies in South Africa at recognised educational institutions, including primary or secondary schools, colleges, universities, and specialist skills schools. This visa is required for non-South African citizens who have received provisional acceptance from a recognised academic institution and wish to reside in the country for the duration of their studies. The Study Visa is renewable, provided the student maintains valid academic registration, and while it does not offer a direct pathway to permanent residence, it allows flexibility for changes in academic institutions and the option to apply for a work visa through a “change of condition” process.

Clear Criminal Record and Acceptance Requirements

To qualify for a South African Study Visa, applicants must meet several criteria. First, applicants aged 18 or older must have a clear criminal record in any country where they have resided for longer than 12 months in the last five years. In addition, applicants must provide proof of provisional acceptance from a recognised South African academic institution. It is common for full acceptance to be granted only after the issuance of a valid Study Visa. Eligible institutions include primary and secondary schools, whether public or independent, as well as colleges, further education and training institutions, universities, and other learning institutions recognised by the South African government.

Age and Financial Requirements

There are no specific age restrictions for applicants, but their age must be appropriate for the academic level for which they are applying. For example, an adult cannot register at a primary school. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay in South Africa. The minimum financial requirement is ZAR 3,000 per month, equating to ZAR 36,000 for a year of study.

Visa Validity

The duration of the Study Visa is linked to the length of the applicant’s academic programme. The visa will be valid for the duration of the course or programme, and it can be renewed as long as the student remains enrolled in a valid academic programme. For example, if a child is enrolled in a primary school, the visa validity may need to extend over several years, such as six years. The processing time for a Study Visa application is approximately 10 weeks, so applicants should plan accordingly.

Additional Requirements for Minors

For minors, additional requirements apply. Applicants under the age of 18 must provide an unabridged birth certificate as well as proof of guardianship or consent from a parent or legal guardian. In cases where both parents’ consent cannot be provided, supporting documents such as death certificates, court orders, or divorce decrees must be submitted.

Work Restrictions and Institutional Changes

While residing in South Africa on a Study Visa, applicants may work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week, but only during academic terms. Work is not permitted during academic vacations. Additionally, if the student changes academic institutions, they must apply for a new Study Visa to reflect the change. The Study Visa also allows the applicant to apply for accompanying dependent, family, or spousal visas for their relatives to join them in South Africa.

Pathway to Work Visa and Medical Insurance

It is important to note that holding a Study Visa does not qualify an individual for permanent residence in South Africa. However, visa holders may apply for a work visa through a “change of condition” if they meet the relevant criteria during their stay. Lastly, applicants are required to have full medical insurance coverage for the entire duration of their residence in South Africa, ensuring that they are prepared for any health-related issues that may arise during their stay.

The type of academic institution that allows international students to study in South Africa must meet the requirements of the South African Immigration Regulations

An institution of higher education established in terms of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997)

A college established in terms of the Further Education and Training Colleges Act, 2006(Act No. 16 of 2006) but does not include:

• a school offering further education and training programmes under the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996)
• (ii) a college under the authority of a government department other than the Department of Higher Education and Training
• a school contemplated in section 1 of the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996)

In simple terms, Student Visa holders can study at an institution approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training that includes schools and higher learning institutions.

If you are a foreign student wishing to study in South Africa, you can apply for a study visa by completing the Department of Home Affairs Application Form DHA-1738. Study visas must be applied for at a VFS Centre near the educational institution or at the nearest South African embassy, mission, or consulate abroad.
Study visas for learning institutions other than schools will be issued for the duration of the registered course.

Documents Required for a Study Visa

If you are a foreign student wishing to study in South Africa, you can apply for a study visa by completing Form DHA-1738. Study visas must be applied for at a VFS Centre near the educational institution or at the nearest South African embassy, mission, or consulate abroad.

Study visas for learning institutions other than schools will be issued for the duration of the registered course.

General Requirements:

• Duly completed online form (Handwritten forms are not accepted by the Department of Home Affairs).
• Applicants must present original documents for verification while submitting photocopies.
• Original passport.
• Copies of passport and previous visas.
• Original Bank payment / Electronic Fund Transfer receipt for each applicant.
• Original and copy of Bank Receipt in case of repatriation / Bank Guarantee paid into the Department of Home Affairs account.
• Appointment letter.
• Valid passport (expiry no less than 30 days after the intended departure date).
• Submission of the application in person, no less than 60 days before the current visa expires, or if issued for less than 30 days, not later than seven working days before the expiry.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if traveling from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic area).
• Police clearance certificate from every country where the applicant resided for 12 months or longer over the past 5 years after the age of 18 (must be less than six months old).
• Medical report (not older than six months).
• Radiological report (compulsory for all applicants, except children under 12 years and pregnant women).
• Marriage certificate or proof of official recognition of a foreign spousal relationship (where applicable).
• Affidavit and supporting documents proving cohabitation and shared financial responsibilities in the case of a spousal relationship.
• Divorce decree (where applicable).
• Court order granting parental responsibilities and rights (where applicable).
• Death certificate of the late spouse (where applicable).
• Written consent from both parents and full parental responsibilities (where applicable).
• Proof of adoption (where applicable).
• Legal separation order (where applicable).
• Official letter of provisional acceptance from the learning institution, including the course duration.
• Undertaking by the Registrar or Principal to:
  • Provide proof of registration within 60 days of registration.
  • Notify the Director-General within 7 days of non-registration.
  • Notify the Director-General within 30 days if the applicant is no longer registered.
  • Notify the Director-General within 30 days upon completion of studies or if an extension is required.
• Proof of payment of the applicable fee.

Additional Requirements for Bilateral Agreement:

• Written undertaking from the foreign state to pay for the applicant’s departure.
• Official letter of provisional acceptance from the learning institution, including the course duration.
• Undertaking by the Academic Registrar or Principal to provide proof of registration in order to notify the Visa Authority of the applicant’s registration status.

Additional Requirements for Learners Under 18 Years:

• Unabridged birth certificate.
• Valid passport.
• Proof of physical address and contact number of the guardian in South Africa, along with a confirmatory letter from the guardian.
• Proof of consent from both parents or the parent with full parental responsibilities (court order where applicable).
• Undertaking by the parents or legal guardian to ensure the learner has medical cover for the study duration.
• Proof of medical cover renewed annually for the duration of study with a registered medical scheme.
• Proof of sufficient financial means available to the learner during their stay in South Africa.

Processing Time for the South African Study Visa

When applying for a South African Study Visa, it is essential to be aware that the processing time can vary depending on several factors. Although the visa itself typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to process, certain elements of the application process may cause additional delays. On average, procuring and legalising all required documents takes approximately 15 working days, though it may be shorter if the application pack is submitted without error and fully compliant with the requirements.

It is important to ensure that your application is as complete and accurate as possible, as this creates less work for the adjudicating authority and can potentially expedite the process.

Police Clearance Certificates

Obtaining police clearance certificates is a crucial step if you have lived in any country for 12 months or longer over the past five years. This process can take up to 2 months, and delays in obtaining these certificates can affect the overall visa processing time. It is recommended to begin this step as early as possible.

Acceptance from the Learning Institution

One of the primary requirements for a study visa is a letter of acceptance from a South African learning institution. While the institution may provide provisional acceptance quickly, the final letter of acceptance could take a few weeks to process depending on their internal review periods.

Medical Report

You are required to submit a medical report as part of your application. These reports can take 1 to 2 weeks to obtain, but it is important to schedule appointments with medical professionals promptly to avoid delays.

Financial Proof and Medical Cover

You must provide proof of financial means and medical cover for the duration of your study period. Preparing this documentation can take additional time, particularly if gathering evidence from multiple sources or securing medical insurance from a South African provider.

By understanding these timelines, ensuring compliance, and preparing the required documents in advance, you can significantly improve the efficiency of the application process.

Study Visa Costs

When applying for a Study Visa in South Africa, several costs are involved beyond the visa application fee itself. These costs may include document processing, health certificates, and other fees related to your relocation to South Africa.

Department of Home Affairs Visa Application Fee

The standard application fee for a Study Visa is R1,775 when submitting directly to the South African Department of Home Affairs.

VFS Fee

When applying through VFS Global, there is an additional service fee of R1,550. This fee can be paid via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), and it’s recommended to keep proof of payment for verification.

VFS Premium Lounge Services (Optional)

For an expedited and more comfortable visa application experience, you may opt for the Premium Lounge Service for an additional fee of R500. This service is optional.

Document Translation Costs

If any of your documents, such as academic records or birth certificates, are not in English, you will need to have them translated by an accredited service provider. The cost for translation will vary depending on the document and service provider.

Medical Report

You are required to submit a medical report as part of your application. The costs for these vary by country and healthcare provider. It’s advisable to get quotes from local doctors before arranging these tests.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate

If applicable, you will need to obtain a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you are travelling from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic area. The cost will depend on your country of residence.

Police Clearance Certificates

Police clearance certificates are required for each country where you have lived for 12 months or longer over the past five years. The cost of obtaining a police clearance certificate varies by country. For example, a South African police clearance certificate costs R180.

Financial Proof and Medical Cover

You will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means and adequate medical cover for your stay in South Africa. Depending on your medical insurance provider, this cost can vary widely.

Additional Costs to Consider

• Travel Expenses: Costs related to your flights and transport to South Africa.
• Accommodation: Costs related to finding and securing student accommodation in South Africa.
• Integration Costs: Costs for settling into life in South Africa, including mobile phone contracts, utilities, and transportation.

By accounting for these costs ahead of time, you can ensure a smoother and more financially prepared visa application process.

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

The full guide on assessing your eligibility for applying to this visa can be found at the top of this page. The most important elements of this can be found below:

• Course Acceptance: Ensure you have been provisionally or fully accepted into a registered South African learning institution.
• Proof of Financial Means: Confirm that you have enough financial resources to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs while studying.
• Medical Cover: Secure medical cover with a South African medical scheme for the duration of your stay.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

• Complete the (DHA-1738) Form: This is the official South African Temporary Residence application form (In this case: Study Visa). It can be completed online via VFS or digitally, as hand-written forms are not accepted.
• Submit Required Documents: Gather original and photocopies of all required documents, including your passport, medical report, police clearance certificates, proof of financial means, and acceptance letter from the institution.

We recommend keeping both digital and printed versions of your forms. When submitting the application at a South African Mission, Consulate, or your local VFS centre, ensure that all documents are printed clearly on standard white paper. Document quality and requirements may vary slightly by mission. Consulting an expert can save time and avoid costly delays.

Step 3: Complete Application Forms

• Form DHA-1738: This is the official Study Visa application form. It must be filled out digitally, as handwritten forms are not accepted.
• Supporting Documentation: Ensure all required documents are attached and correctly labelled.

Step 4: Legalise and Translate Documents

• Legalisation: If any documents are issued outside of South Africa, they may need to be legalised or notarised.
• Translation: Any documents not in English must be translated by a certified translator.

Step 5: Submit Application

• Choose Submission Method: Submit the application in person at a South African embassy, consulate, or through a Visa Facilitation Service (VFS) centre.
• Pay Fees: Pay the required visa application fees via EFT or bank card, and keep proof of payment.

Step 6: Await Processing

• The typical processing time for a Study Visa is around 2 weeks (15 days). However, delays may occur based on police clearance, medical reports, or other factors. Various South African missions/embassies often experience delays, so this must be accounted for when planning your immigration journey.

Step 7: Receive Visa Outcome

• You will be notified of the visa decision. If approved, your Study Visa will be endorsed in your passport.

Step 8: Collect Visa (If Approved)

• Collect your passport with the visa endorsement from the embassy/mission or VFS centre where you submitted your application.

Step 9: Enter South Africa

• Travel to South Africa: Once your visa is issued, you can travel to South Africa.
• Border Control: Present your passport and visa at South African border control upon entry.

Step 10: Renewal and Compliance

• Monitor Visa Expiry: Keep track of your visa expiry date and apply for renewal at least 60 days before it expires if you plan to extend your studies.
• Compliance: Ensure that you comply with all visa conditions, including attending classes and maintaining medical cover.

Additional Considerations:

• Visa Validity: The Study Visa is generally issued for the duration of your course and can be renewed if needed.
• Accompanying Dependants: Dependants of Study Visa holders (such as spouses and children) may apply for accompanying visas.
• Working as a Student: You may be allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week while studying on a valid Study Visa.
• Immigration Consultant: Consider hiring an immigration consultant to assist with the application process and ensure compliance with all requirements.

Disclaimer

At IBN Immigration Solutions, we adhere to Google’s standards for transparency. As a private immigration firm, we follow the regulations outlined in the Immigration Act of South Africa. We are not affiliated with the South African government. Our clients pay for our expertise in handling applications for both temporary and permanent residency. While forms required during the process can be obtained for free at any Department of Home Affairs office, we also provide them as part of our service. Those who prefer to deal directly with the Department of Home Affairs can visit their website at www.dha.gov.za/immigration-services/