Any foreign nationals who want to study in South Africa at an accredited learning institute must apply for a South African study visa. This applies to:
- Children between the ages of 6 and 16 who are immigrating to South Africa with their families.
- Immigrants of a non dependent age who want to continue their studies at a South African university, college or similar tertiary learning institution. It has to be a full-time course, as South African study visas are not issued for non-full time courses and correspondence or distance learning courses.
What does the South African study visa allow you to do?
A South African study visa allows a foreign immigrants to study in South Africa at a school or tertiary learning institution. Students of a non dependent age are also allowed to work part time for up to a maximum of 20 hours a week.
What are the main criteria of the South African study visa?
South African immigration legislation requires the educational institution to be registered with the South African Board of Education by the Department of Home Affairs or the relevant South African High Commission or Embassy.
Further to this, qualifications non dependent students enrol for must be through a full-time course. South African study visas are not issued for part-time courses or correspondence or distance learning courses.
Non dependent students must also submit the following:
- A letter of acceptance from the learning institution.
- All necessary documentation, as determined by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Proof of South African registered medical insurance. International or foreign medical insurance is not accepted by the Department of Home Affairs for study visa applications.
Parents who apply for study visas for their children must do or submit the following:
- A letter of acceptance from the school. This letter must state the child has been provisionally accepted. It must also include the year in which the child will graduate or end schooling with the school.
- Proof of South African registered medical insurance. The Department of Home Affairs does not accept international or foreign medical insurances for study visa applications.
- All necessary documentation, as determined by the Department of Home Affairs.
Validity period of a South African study visa
South African study visas are issued for the duration of the course at the approved learning centre. This will be up to a maximum of 8 years where the applicant is a minor child in primary school.
Permanent residency
The South African study visa in itself does not lead to permanent residency in South Africa. Those studying towards a PhD in South Africa can however apply for a critical skills work visa, which could lead to permanent residency.
Find out if you qualify for a South African study visa
The first step towards becoming a student in South Africa is seeing if you qualify. Find out right now by completing our quick online assessment. One of our consultants will contact you afterwards to discuss your eligibility.
You could also get the ball rolling by giving us a call to discuss your needs. Our Cape Town office is available on +27 (0) 21 424 2460, while you can reach our Johannesburg office at +27 (0) 234 4275. Alternatively, request a free call back and a consultant will contact you within 24 hours.
Why should Intergate be your South African immigration partner?
Intergate has processed more than 9 000 visa and visa applications since our doors opened in 2005. This impressive feat would not have been possible without our team of dedicated immigration consultants, who are all qualified and registered.
We also take pride in being the only immigration company in South Africa with ISO 9001 certification. This means our quality management systems were tested by an independent auditor and found to be appropriate and effective. There is no-one better to guide you through your immigration to South Africa.