Documents you need to apply for a study visa

Required documents

This provides an explanation of the documents you will need to apply for a study visa, along with a timeline guide. 

Passport

Make sure your passport in up-to-date. Do not wait until you receive your acceptance letter to start applying for a passport. make copies of your passport and any previous South African visas you may have and have them certified.

Medical

Organize your medical documents: 1)a certificate from your chosen medical aid that you’re covered for the entire period of study 2)a medical report and a radiological report (unless you’re pregnant, in which case the radiological report is not needed-but documented proof of your pregnancy is required in order to explain why you have not submitted a radiological report) 3) a yellow fever vaccine certificate if you’re coming from, been to or planning to transit through an area with the endemic. 

Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

You’ll need a police clearance certificate from any country where you have resided in for longer than 12 months since you  turned 18. If you’re applying in South Africa for a PCC, please note that they take up to six weeks. If you’re applying for a renewal, please note that you no longer need to submit a PCC. 

Acceptance-preliminary

Remember you can apply for a study visa with a preliminary acceptance. This official letter will state the duration of the course and will determine how long your visa will be valid for

From the registrar

With your acceptance letter there will be an undertaking from the registrar that they’ll let the department of home affairs know when you register and if you don’t.  The letter will also undertake that you, as an International student are not taking the place of a South African student. Both of these denouement must be submitted. 

Financial Proof from parent/guardian/sponsor

You’ll need proof that you paid the application fee as well as bank statements and income statements to show that you have enough money to be supported financially when you’re in South Africa.  If a foreign state (like your home country) is paying for your studies you’ll need an official undertaking from them that they’ll pay for your travel expenses on your return. 

Apply online

The standard visa study form is Temporary Resident Visa Form (DHA-1738). Make a profile for yourself on the VFS website. Complete the application form, pay the fees, book an appointment, download the form and official documentation list as well as the appointment letter

certify everything

When you can, use original copies, like your medical and radiological reports, and bank letters. Because your  medical aid certificate would normally arrive in the email, it will be certified already by the relevant parties. An original copy of your acceptance letter will be required, you will have to organize an acceptance package to be posted to you by the university. 

Countries for which a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into South Africa are:

  • Angola,
  • Argentina,
  • Benin,
  • Bolivia,
  • Brazil,
  • Burkina Faso,
  • Burundi,
  • Cameroon,
  • Central African Republic,
  • Chad,
  • Colombia,
  • Guinea-Bissau,
  • Congo,
  • Côte d’Ivoire,
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo,
  • Ecuador,
  • Equatorial Guinea,
  • Ethiopia,
  • French Guyana,
  • Gabon,
  • Gambia,
  • Ghana,
  • Guinea,
  • Guyana,
  • Kenya,
  • Liberia,
  • Mali,
  • Mauritania,
  • Niger,
  • Nigeria,
  • Panama,
  • Paraguay,
  • Peru,
  • Rwanda,
  • Senegal,
  • Sierra Leone, 
  • Sudan,
  • Suriname,
  • Togo,
  • Trinidad and Tobago,
  • Uganda

before acceptance

212

From when you apply for university

2011

From when you receive your acceptance (depending on when you applied it could be anytime between September-November)

three months (for bank statement)

For Renewal: Your application must be submitted in person no less that 60 days prior to the expiry date of the applicants current visa.

See the full list on the Visa Facilitation Centre Website