Work and Study Permit in South Africa

Anyone who is not a South African citizen, or a permanent resident, requires a visa in order to enter, as well as a permit to stay (or sojourn) in South Africa. The South African High Commission, Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence issues a visa so that you may travel to South Africa. At your ‘port of entry’ (for example, Durban International Airport, Johannesburg International Airport, Cape Town International Airport or Beit Bridge), your visa is endorsed and becomes your temporary residence permit.

Study Permit

This is a kind of a permit issued to foreigners intending to take up studies in South Africa. Applications for study permits can be lodged at the mission or at the office of the registrar of the institution authorized by the Department of Home Affairs to accept such applications.

A university is not permitted to register you until you have  produced your valid study permit. It takes anywhere between 3 days to ten weeks, depending on the country of origin, for a visa to be issued. The visa fee can range from US $0-150, depending on the country of origin and the duration of stay. One can contact the local South African Consulate for any other details or clarifications.

International students should apply for a Study Permit at the South African High Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission in their country of origin.

If there is no South African representative, prospective students must apply to the South African High Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission nearest to their home country.  It is imperative that students await the outcome of this application for a study permit in their own country of residence or origin.

Study permits are issued for a program of study at a specific institution. International students should obtain a new permit only if they wish to change institutions.

Once you have confirmed your acceptance of the formal offer from the university or technikon, you can make your application for a study visa.  You should contact the South African Consulate for full details about applying for a study permit.

Prospective international students are advised to submit their study permit documentation as soon as possible.  It normally takes six to eight weeks for applications to be processed. Passports with the valid study permit must be presented to the host institution during registration.

Generally the following documents are required:

• A duly completed application form (BI-1738) signed by the applicant.
• Passport valid for no less than 30 days upon completion of study.
• Two photos.
• Copy of birth certificate.
• Roundtrip flight itinerary.
• Medical and radiological report or TB test if negative.
• Medical insurance coverage in terms of South African scheme.
• A repatriation cash deposit of $800.00 in case of all applicants studying in RSA for more than six (6) months.
• An official letter from the institution confirming provisional acceptance and duration of the course.
• An official letter of provisional enrolment from the institution of learning concerned.
• Proof of financial means in the form of bank statement or notarized letter from the parents stating the financial responsibility.
• State police clearance certificate in respect all applicants 18 years of age or older, in respect of all previous countries of residence for period exceeding one year.
• A vaccination certificate if an applicant is passing through yellow fever belt area before entering South Africa.

Change of Study Permit

A change in conditions of a study permit refers to a situation where you hold a valid study permit with  a condition to study at another institution in South Africa  other than the one you are applying to.