Applying for a study visa

Getting Started

Step 1: Research what kind of visa you need

Visit the Department of Home Affairs and Visa Facilitation Services websites. You will be bombarded with vital information and feel slightly dizzy afterward. Don’t feel discouraged, we’ll break it down for you. Go to this page to find out what documents you’ll need.

Step 2: Contact the relevant people

Make sure you’re going to the right offices. From your home country, the South African embassy will process your papers if the country does not have a visa facilitation center. If it does, the embassy will direct you to the visa facilitation center closest to you. In South Africa, the Department of Home affairs (DHA) has been using Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) as a facilitator for processing visas for a number of years. The process is not digitized and more effective. While you still need to present yourself personally at the visa facilitation center to submit your documents, VFS facilitates the application process, checks your documents, and takes your biometrics.

Step 3: Find out what documents you need

There are certain documents you need to present at the center. You will receive an official check-list after you have paid the visa fees and booked your appointment. It’s important to get all your documents in order ASAP as some of these documents do take time to acquire. Don’t forget you can see what those are here.

Step 4: Apply online

You will have to create an account on the VFS website and follow the instructions as well as fill in all the information. Once you have created an account all your information will be saved onto the account. You will fill in the application form, pay the visa fees.

Step 5: Pay the visa fee and book the appointment

24 hours after you pay the visa fee online you will be allowed to book an appointment. Book an appointment at your nearest visa facilitation center and download important documents such as your appointment letter and the check-list of all the things you’ll need to submit. Often the closest available date for an appointment is weeks away, so even if you have several months to go before your visa expires, make sure you begin the application process as soon as possible. You can change your booking time, including which visa facilitation center you are going to present yourself to submit your application, twice for free.

Step 6: Submit your documents

You will have to submit the relevant documents in person where you booked your appointment. Make sure you take the appropriate appointment letter and printed online form (you can download both from your account on the VFS website once you receive confirmation of your appointment), travel document or passport, as well as all supporting documents listed on the check-list. At the end of of your appointment you will receive a signed receipt. keep this for later as you will need it to collect your visa.

Step 7: Wait

Be aware of processing time. VFS’s official website says it should take 60 working days before receiving a response, which is about 12 weeks. In actual fact it can vary- some study visas arrive within three weeks, while others take longer than the 12-week limit. Make sure you don’t leave this to the last minute.

Step 8: Collect your visa

Collect your visa once it is ready at the visa facilitation center where your application was submitted. You will need your original passport and the receipt you got when you submitted your application. If you are planning to get someone else to pick it up for you, look at the VFS regulations for this which tell you what legal documents a representative will have to take with them to prove they’re permitted to collect a visa on your behalf.