If you wish to study in South Africa, you must apply for a student visa. Additionally, you are only eligible to apply for a student visa if you have confirmation of acceptance from a South African educational institution.
What Is the South Africa Student Visa?
All nationals who wish to study in South Africa must obtain the appropriate visa first. A student visa allows you to reside in South Africa and study in a South African institution. Once you are issued the student visa, it will remain valid for as long as your program lasts.
Requirements for a South Africa Student Visa
For your application to be admissible, you must submit the following documents:
- Student visa application form. You must fill out the application form for a student visa with all the required information, sign it and submit it as a part of the application.
- Valid passport. Your passport must be valid no less than 30 days after your intended departure from the Republic of South Africa. Your passport must also have at least two blank pages.
- Letter of acceptance to the educational institution. You must provide a letter of acceptance from the educational institution where you will be studying. The letter should also specify the duration of the course, the nature of the course, and any applicable language proficiency requirements.
- Proof of financial means. You must prove that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself while in the country and pay your tuition fees, maintenance, and incidental costs. This should be in the form of the following:
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- Bank statements
- Available Cash
- Traveller’s cheques
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- Proof of medical insurance. You must provide proof of travel medical insurance for your visa application and the initial settling-in period. After that, you need medical insurance obtained from a medical scheme according to the terms of the Medical Schemes Act. Your insurance should be renewed annually for as long as you are in South Africa.
- Cash deposit. The cash deposit must be equivalent to the value of your return ticket.
- Medical and radiology reports. A radiology report of the chest is required of every visa applicant who is 12 years of age and over. Radiology reports are not necessary for pregnant women.
- Proof of payment of the fee. You must show proof that you have paid the student visa fee which you were charged.
- Certificate of vaccination. You should only provide a vaccination certificate if required.
- Proof of arranged accommodation. You must provide details about where you will stay while in South Africa on a student visa.
- Police clearance certificate. If you are 18 years of age or over, you must provide a police clearance certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or longer since the age of 18 and onward. The police report must not be older than six months before submission. It should be issued directly from the Police authorities of the country concerned. Police clearance certificates from other authorities will not be accepted.
- Proof of return ticket (if applicable). If studies are less than 12 months, you must provide proof of a return ticket.
- If the applicant is a minor, the following documents must be submitted:
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- Birth certificate. An unabridged birth certificate is required in case the applicant is a minor.
- Letter from the applicant’s (minor) guardians confirming guardianship. The person acting as the student’s guardian must provide a letter confirming guardianship. A certified copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who will be receiving the child in the Republic.
- Proof of consent from the parent (s). You must have consent from both parents that you can stay in South Africa. Or proof from the parent who has sole custody. You must include contact details of the parents or legal guardians of the child too. You can find the parental consent form here.
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Failure to submit the documents above may result in your visa application being rejected or delayed.
How to Apply for a South Africa Student Visa?
If you wish to study in South Africa and are a national of another country, you must go through the visa application process as follows:
- Confirm your place at the university of your choice at the Department of Higher Education. To be eligible for a student visa in South Africa, you must be accepted as a student by a university or educational institution in South Africa. You need to submit proof of acceptance for your visa application which is why this is the most important step in your visa application process.
- Book an appointment with the South African embassy, mission, or consulate in your home country. Once you have received confirmation that you have been admitted to a university, you must schedule an appointment for your visa at a South African diplomatic mission in your country. This could be a consulate, embassy, or visa application center. Sometimes you may be required to visit a neighboring country if no representative is available in your home country.
- Prepare your documents. Then, you must assemble several required documents for your student visa application. You can find a complete list of the documents above, but you usually need your passport, application form, proof of financial means, proof of accommodation, etc.
- Pay the application fee. To have your application processed, you must pay the required fee as per the instructions of the embassy or consulate. Usually, you have to pay the fee on the day of your scheduled visa appointment.
- Submit your application. On the day of your appointment, you must submit your visa application, which means you must bring all the required documents along with the visa fee. Also, prepare yourself, as you may be required to attend a brief interview.
- Wait on a decision on your application. Then, you must wait while your application is processed and a decision is made. If your application is successful, you can go ahead and plan your travels to South Africa and start studying. If not, you can appeal against the denial decision or re-apply for the visa again.
How Much Is a Student Visa in South Africa?
The application fee for a South Africa study visa is R425, or approximately USD 24. Remember that you must pay the fee in the local currency, depending on the country you’re applying from. Also, please remember that this fee is liable to change at any time without notice, and it does not consider other service charges.
How Long Does It Take to Process a South Africa Student Visa?
If you have applied for a student visa to study in South Africa, expect anywhere between 4 and 8 weeks for your application to be processed. Although it may take less or longer, depending on the workload of Home Affairs or other reasons such as incomplete applications submitted. Therefore, it is advised that you start the application process as soon as you receive an acceptance letter from the university you have applied to.
Can You Work With a South Africa Student Visa?
You can work with a student visa in South Africa, but only part-time. As a student in South Africa, you may not exceed 20 hours per week. But you may work full-time during the holidays if you wish.
If you want to work, you must submit the following for your visa application:
- An offer of employment
- Letter of consent from the learning institution (may be done when in South Africa).
Practical training as part of the studies in South Africa
A South Africa student visa makes it possible for holders of this visa to conduct practical training to obtain a diploma.
To partake in practical training, you must also submit the following documents:
- An offer to do practical training
- Consent from the learning institution (may be done when in South Africa).
How Much Bank Balance Is Required for a South Africa Study Visa?
The High Commission states that the current balance must be the euro equivalent of a minimum of R3000,00 at the current exchange rate. You must also provide proof of the following:
- Bank statements from the last three months
- The bank statements shall reflect all the transactions from the last three (3) months up until the week that the visa application is submitted;
- Bank statements shall be printed and certified/stamped by the bank;
- Available cash of the learner, e.g., savings account.
How Long Is a South Africa Student Visa Valid For?
The stay duration is issued according to the time of your course. Home Affairs will consider your course duration and other factors to determine the validity of your student visa. Your student visa will remain valid for the entire time of your course.
Can I Extend My South Africa Student Visa?
Yes, you can. To extend your visa in South Africa, you must explain why you need an extension. All applications can be made online, and supporting documents should be submitted at VFS Offices. You must submit your application 60 days before your current visa expires.
Supporting documents required for the extension of a Student visa include the following:
- Certified copy of valid passport
- Certified copy of current study visa
- Printed copy of the completed application form
- Proof of payment (of the submission and appointment)
- Confirmation of appointment
- Proof of confirmation of registration from the university
- Proof of funds
- Medical report (must not be older than six months)
- Radiological report (must not be older than six months)
Can I Change From a Student Visa to a Work Visa While in South Africa?
Yes, you can. If you are considering working permanently in South Africa after you complete your studies, you may be able to change your status from a student visa to a work visa. You can then apply for a General Work Visa, Critical Skills Work Visa, or Business Visa.
Can I Bring My Family Members With Me on a Student Visa?
You can bring your spouse and dependent children with you. However, they must apply for an accompanying spouse or child visa, allowing them to live there for up to three years. They won’t be able to work or study.
Parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters do not qualify for accompanying family members’ visas. If your family members decide to join you, you’ll need to provide proof of custody or guardianship for your visa application.
South African Study Permit for Zimbabweans
If you are a citizen of Zimbabwe and want to visit South Africa, you can easily do so. Zimbabwe passport holders can visit South Africa as tourists or for business purposes, transit, and to visit friends and family. This is because Zimbabweans are granted visa exemption, and you do not need to apply for a visa for short stays of up to 90 days.
However, if you plan to move for living, studying, or working in South Africa as a Zimbabwean citizen, you must complete an application process through the embassy.