How to Apply for a Study Permit for South Africa – South Africa is clearly one of the best destinations in Africa, many international students would like to further their education.
South Africa is home to world-class good and competent universities that are recognized worldwide. With those universities in South Africa, potential applicants who want to apply for a student visa to study in South Africa must choose one of the top universities in the country before starting the application process.
Students who can study in South Africa come out to fill the labor market without traversing the hectic pace of the labor market.
Prospective applicants should prepare all necessary documents related to the student visa application to avoid delays and rejections during and after the application process.
Applying for a student visa may seem tedious to many applicants, but that is not the case as speculated there.
This feature will guide potential applicants through the steps required to apply for a South Africa student visa and other required documents.
How to Apply for South African Study Permit
To apply for a student visa to study in South Africa, you must confirm your place at a university registered with the Department of Higher Education or download the BI-1738 form and apply through the paper application.
Applications can be made from outside South Africa at a South African embassy. Applicants must follow the step-by-step process below to apply for a South African student visa.
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Make an appointment with a local South African embassy, mission or consulate in your home country
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Present your relevant documents and pay the application fee
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Wait for a decision on your application
Applicants are required to submit certain documents before commencing the application process. That is, some essential documents to attach to your application, etc.
In the next section, we are going to look at the different stages of the South African student visa application process and what applicants are also required to do at each stage.
What documents are required for the application for a study permit in South Africa
The first step in applying for a study permit in South Africa is to collect all the necessary documents. Below are the necessary documents;
- A valid passport with an expiry date of at least 30 days after the end of your course
- Complete the BI-1738 form
- An official letter of acceptance from your college or university on letterhead
- Money to pay the visa application fee
- Two additional color passport photos
- A vaccination certificate (if necessary)
- A cover letter describing the purpose and duration of your visit
- The details of your arriving and departing flights, including your return ticket
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
- Documents health insurance
- Medical data
South Africa Study Permit Application Process
Once applicants have gathered all the necessary documents required for the application process, applicants must complete the online application form. The online application form requires applicants to provide personal information including their name, address and date of birth.
Nevertheless, applicants are required to provide information about their intended studies in South Africa, such as the name of the school where they wish to pursue their studies and the duration of their programme.
Once the form is completed, applicants must complete all necessary documents for the submission and processing of their study permit.
How much does it cost to apply for a study permit in South Africa?
The cost of applying for a South African study permit is approximately R 1,775 which is equivalent to $107. Apart from the application fee, applicants may be required to pay an administration fee depending on the country they are applying for the study permit from.
What is the processing time for the application for a study permit in South Africa?
The processing time for a South African study permit is between 4 and 8 weeks after submission. Applicants should note that the application process may take longer than stated above if additional documents are required.
How do I renew my South African study permit?
To renew your South African permit beyond the initial validity period, you must submit your study visa in South Africa only. All applications must be submitted online and supporting documents must be submitted in person to the VFS office. The application MUST be submitted 60 days before the current visa expires.
How do I renew my South African study permit after it has expired?
To renew your South Africa study permit after it has expired, you must submit a new application along with all the necessary documents and fees.
- Fill out the appropriate form: DHA-1739
- Pay the VFS service or R 1350.00 to secure your appointment after completing the form.
- Pay the various service fees which can be paid via EFT, online payment or paid at a standard bank branch.
- Check that the required documents are 100% correct.
Once applicants have provided the required documents above, they will have their study permit extended.
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With careful preparation and attention to detail, applicants can ensure that their study permit application is successful. We believe this article on how to apply for a South African Study Permit has been helpful.