South African Study Visa

South African Study VisaAre you and your children immigrating to South Africa? Or are you a foreigner who would like to take up studies in South Africa? Then you would need to apply for a South African study visa.

A good starting point is to see whether your family qualify, or whether you qualify for tertiary studies. To do so, you can complete our free online assessment. If you’d like to speak to someone instead, you can us at +27 (0) 21 424 2460.

To get a better understanding of study visas in the meantime, have a look at the information below.

Who can apply for a South African study visa?

Foreign immigrants eligible for study visas fall within two groups:

  • Families immigrating to South Africa with children between the ages of 6 and 16. South African law requires all children from the ages of 6 to 16 to attend school.
  • Individual (stand-alone) foreign immigrants who want to continue their studies in South Africa at a university, college or similar tertiary learning institution. This 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.

Am I allowed to work on a study visa as an individual foreign immigrant?

Foreigners older than 16 years in possession of a South African study visa may work up to 20 hours a week during the semester (term). They are also allowed to work when the place of work is a learning institution.

How long is this visa valid for?

South African study visas are temporary and usually only issued for the duration of the programme or course.

What are the requirements for a South African study visa?

The main criteria is that the educational institution must be registered with the South African Board of Education in South Africa by the Department of Home Affairs or the relevant South African High Commission or Embassy.

In addition, parents applying for study visas for their children must do or submit the following:

  • All necessary documentation, as determined the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Proof of South African Registered Medical Insurance. The Department of Home Affairs does not accept international or foreign medical insurances for study visa applications.
  • A letter of acceptance from the learning institution. This letter must state that the child has been provisionally accepted into the school. It must also include the year in which the child will graduate or end schooling with the school.

Individual foreign immigrants must do or submit the following:

  • All necessary documentation, as determined by the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Proof of South African Registered Medical Insurance. The Department of Home Affairs does not accept international or foreign medical insurances for study visa applications.
  • A letter of acceptance from the learning institution.

How do I apply for a South African study visa?

Foreign immigrants must submit all the necessary documentation, as determined by the Department of Home Affairs.

If you’d like to get the application right the first time, let Intergate Immigration do it for you. Our team has helped thousands of individuals, families and corporates immigrate to South Africa.

You can reach us at +27 (0) 21 424 2460. If you’d like us to call you, all you have to do is complete our online assessment form or request a call back. One of our consultants will endeavour to contact you within 24 hours.

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