South Africa Student Visa Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Nov 06, 2025 0

All students who are not citizens of South Africa are required to obtain a South African student visa in order to be permitted entry to the country for studies. This visa is a temporary residence visa for South Africa. The South African student visa (formerly called a South African study permit) allows foreign nationals to study at accredited primary, secondary, or tertiary institutions in the country.

If you’re hoping to study abroad in South Africa, you’ll need to apply for a student visa. An international student who wants to stay and study in South Africa for a course extending 3 months (90 days) duration will have to apply for a student visa. This visa is granted to those students who have already been accepted for admission by a recognized educational institute in South Africa. To qualify, you must have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses.

South Africa offers high-quality education, making it an attractive destination for international students. South Africa's entire educational system, from primary schools to tertiary institution, is in the process of being redesigned for the post-apartheid future.

If you are older than 25 years and want to come to South Africa on a cultural, economic, or social exchange program, organized between an educational institution or government body in South Africa and one in a foreign country you need South African exchange visa.

In order to qualify for a study visa for South Africa, the school or college itself must first qualify as a ‘learning institution’. This means it must be registered with either the Department of Basic Education or the Department of Higher Education. So if you want to attend a private language school or a school only offering short-term technical courses, you may not qualify for a South African study visa.

Important note: You cannot come to South Africa on a visitor’s visa and then proceed to apply for a South African student visa.

How To Apply South Africa Student Visa Step By Step Full Information

Application Process

First thing you should do is contact your nearest South African Embassy or Consulate in your home country and make a visa application. You must apply for a South African student visa at the South African embassy in your home country.

If the embassy uses VFS Global, you’ll need to pay the visa fee and book an appointment online to submit your application at a VFS centre. Before submitting your application, gather all required documents. If you’re using VFS, you’ll need to provide biometric information, such as fingerprints and a photo.

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. The procedure can take up to eight weeks, so make sure to start your application as soon as possible when you get your letter of acceptance from your university.

Application process times vary from country to country but allow about six weeks.

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The institution (technikon or university) in South Africa cannot register a student until a valid study permit has been produced. Passports with the valid study permit must be presented to the host institution during registration.

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Necessary Documents

Along with your BI-1738 visa application form, you will need to provide the following documents. Make sure you have gathered all the required documents on time, along with the necessary translations in English.

The visa form in that case is called BI-1738. You apply for an exchange permit (South African exchange visa) using the same application form B1-1738.

Requirements for the study visa:

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Completed Application Form: Ensure the form is filled out correctly and signed.
Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after your intended departure date.Your passport must also contain at least two blank pages, or you will be refused entry, even if you have a study visa.
Machine readable valid passport with at least two (2) unused (blank) pages labeled Visa when presented at the Embassy or Consulate; one page for affixing the visa or permit by the embassy/consulate and the other page for endorsement of entry/departure stamp by the South African Immigration Services.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to comply with Regulation 2(1) (A) of the Immigration Act of 2014, only machine readable travel documents (MRTDs) will be accepted on submission of visa applications and at Port of Entry. Therefore, no extended passports will be accepted.

Medical Certificate: A recent medical certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner.
Medical and radiology reports.
Police Clearance Certificate: A police clearance certificate from countries where you resided for over 12 months in the past five years.

If you are 18 years and older, a police clearance certificate from each country in which you resided for 12 months or longer since the age of 18 years is required. An FBI background check is required and may take between 2-14 weeks to obtain.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate: If required for travel to or through yellow fever endemic areas.
A vaccination certificate (for example yellow fever vaccination certificate), if required.
Marriage/Divorce/Death Certificates: Relevant documents to prove marital status or family relationships.
Parental Consent: Written consent from both parents or a sole guardian, if applicable.
Consent from both parents for your stay in South Africa, or from the parent who has sole custody, along with proof of sole custody.
Adoption Papers: If applicable, proof of adoption.
An unabridged birth certificate in the case of minors.
An official letter from the educational institution, where you intend to study, confirming provisional acceptance and the duration of the course.
Proof of itinerary/reservation of round trip air tickets.
The letter of acceptance from the university with all the relevant information about the course.
Confirmation of registration to your selected program.
Institutional Undertaking: A letter from the institution committing to inform the Department of Home Affairs about your registration, withdrawal, or completion of studies.
Proof of sufficient funds that will cover your expenses during your studies.
This should be in the form of bank statements / cash available / travelers’ cheques. This could be proven through bank statements, available cash or cheques.
Proof of financial means in the form of recent three months bank statements stamped by bank, and notarized letter from the parents stating the financial responsibility.
Certified copy of ID of person taking financial responsibility, with three months statement and stamped letter from the bank.
Proof of medical cover renewed annually for the period of study with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act.
Health insurance.
A cash deposit equivalent to the value of a return ticket.
Police clearance certificate issued by a security authority from your country of origin.

In the case of African students:

An undertaking from the relevant government to take full responsibility of the student and to pay all costs, should it become necessary to deport the student.

Additional Requirements for Minor Students:

Birth Certificate: An unabridged birth certificate.
Valid Passport: A valid passport.
Guardian Information: Proof of address and contact details of the guardian in South Africa, along with a consent letter from the guardian.
Parental Consent: Written consent from both parents or the legal guardian.
Medical Insurance: Proof of comprehensive medical insurance valid for the duration of the study period.
Financial Support: Evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses.

DHA-1738 Form

To apply for a student visa, you’ll need to complete the DHA 1738 form. This form can be completed online through VFS or by hand in black ink, depending on the specific instructions provided by the South African embassy or VFS.

Information Required on the DHA-1738 Form:

Visa Category: Specify that you’re applying for a student visa.
Personal Details: Provide your full name, date of birth, nationality, and contact information.
Passport Details: Include your passport number, issue date, and expiry date.
Address: Provide your current address and contact information.
Intended Stay: Specify the duration of your intended stay in South Africa.
Financial Information: Provide proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses.
Dependents: If you’re bringing dependents, provide their information. Only your spouse and dependent children can travel with you to South Africa. They’ll need to apply for an accompanying spouse or child visa which allows them to live there for up to three years. However, it doesn’t entitle them to work or study in the country. If your family members do plan on joining you, you should take proof of custody or guardianship to your visa application meeting.
Security and Health: Answer any relevant security and health questions on the form.

Visa Fees

The South African student visa application fees depend on your country of origin but are around US$47.

Department Visa Fee:

Department of Home Affairs: ZAR 425.00
VFS Submission Centre: ZR 1550.00

Visa fees vary depending on your country of residence and currency. If you’re applying through a VFS centre, there may be additional service fees. You’ll need to pay the visa fee using a debit or credit card.

Additionally, consider other costs such as document translation, medical examinations, and potential travel expenses.

Cost Type	Description	Approximate Amount (ZAR)
Department of Home Affairs Fee	Fee for the visa application	425
VFS Submission Centre Fee	Fee for submitting application through VFS	1550
Document Translation	Cost for translating documents if required	Varies
Medical Examinations	Cost for medical certificate and radiology reports	Varies
Travel Expenses	Expenses for traveling to the embassy or VFS centre	Varies

Processing Time

Processing times for student visas can vary between 30 and 90 days, depending on the specific South African embassy. To avoid delays, it’s crucial to submit your application well in advance of your intended study start date.

Visa Validity

The student visa is valid for the entire duration of the student’s course, alternatively 36 months for schools and 24 months for other institutions.

A student visa is typically issued for the duration of your primary, secondary, or tertiary studies. For tertiary education, the initial visa is usually valid for one year.

South African exchange visa - this visa is granted for the duration of the exchange, usually not more than 12 months. The South African exchange visa cannot be renewed or extended.

Working During Studies

The South African student visa allows students to work while pursuing their studies. South African student visas make it possible for you to earn while you learn.

International students on a study visa are generally permitted to work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, during academic terms. However, they are not allowed to work during university or school holidays. You can work up to 20 hours per week during term-time, and full-time during the university holidays if you wish.

To complete internship in South Africa, you have to apply for a South African work visa.

Visa Renewal

To renew your student visa, you’ll need to submit your application through VFS South Africa at least 60 days before your current visa expires.

Renewal Process:

Gather Documents: Collect all necessary documents, including your passport, proof of enrollment, and financial records.
Pay Fees: Pay the required visa fees.
Book Appointment: Schedule an appointment at a VFS centre.
Submit Application: Attend your appointment, submit your application, and provide biometric information (fingerprints and photos).

Financial Requirements

You’ll need to provide proof of financial support, typically showing at least ZAR 3,000 per month for the duration of your studies.

Expense Type	Description	Approximate Amount (ZAR)
Rent in a shared flat	Monthly rent for a room in a shared apartment	229
Share of utilities	Monthly utilities expenses (electricity, water)	30
Internet subscription	Monthly internet bill	39
Local transportation	Monthly cost for local transportation	36
Fast food combo	Cost of a fast food meal	4
Cinema ticket	Cost of a movie ticket	5
Pint of local beer	Cost of local beer	2

Visa Rejection

Having your visa application rejected is disappointing, but you have 10 days to lodge an appeal. To do so, you’ll need to arrange an appointment with your nearest visa facilitation services (VFS) center and fill out an online application form.

Common reasons for rejection include incomplete applications, applying for the wrong type of visa, failing to provide the requested supporting documents, and a lack of information about how you’ll afford to live in South Africa. Avoiding these mistakes will give you the best chance of success.

It’s important that you bring all of the requested documents to your visa application meeting.

Attention New York Applicants: The South African Consulate General in New York will no longer accept prepaid envelope/labels from FedEx and UPS with immediate effect. Applicants are welcome to enclose only USPS self-addressed, pre-paid courier envelope for this office to facilitate return services.