Study Visa

South African Study Visa (Section 13)

Allows foreign nationals to live and study full-time in South Africa at a registered school, college, or university.

• Validity: Granted for the duration of the registered academic program.

• Work Rights: Tertiary students can work up to 20 hours per week during terms and full-time during official vacations.

Please submit your application in the order outlined below:
• A Printed Copy of the ‘Confirmation of Appointment’.
• Completed DHA-1738 signed by applicant.
• Machine Readable Valid Passport with minimum two (2) unused visa label
pages. Passport must be valid for minimum 30 days after the intended date of
departure from South Africa.
• Non-Refundable Application Fee (if applicable) in the form of a cash/money
order/cashier’s check: $55.00
• Two (2) passport photos.
• A Certified/Notarized copy bio page of your passport.
• A Certified/Notarized copy of valid Proof of Residence in the USA (Green Card/H1
B/J1/L1 etc) (Proof of Residence must be valid for duration of stay in South Africa)
(B1/B2 USA visa holders are not eligible to apply in WDC and must apply in your Country of
Residence).
• A Certified/Notarized Unabridged Birth Certificate.

A pre-paid, self-addressed mailing label and envelope for the return of your
passport after processing. Prepaid Return Envelope Requirements:
▪ Single passport: A5-size envelope
▪ Multiple passports: A4-size envelope
The envelope must be sturdy (padded or cardboard-backed), suitably sized to prevent
bending, and include a trackable prepaid courier label. Kindly ensure that the full return
address is clearly indicated.
• A Statement or Documentation detailing the purpose and duration of the visit.
• Proof of Tentative Travel Itinerary for round-trip air tickets. Do not purchase air
tickets prior to obtaining your South African visa.
• Proof of Tentative Accommodation.
• Proof of Financial Means in the form of bank statements for the last three (3) months,
stamped by your bank OR in the absence of the stamp, a bank-issued verification letter for
the account holder. Notarized statements will not be accepted.
• A Yellow Fever Certificate is required for applicants traveling through Yellow Fever Belt
areas en route to South Africa.
• Medical Report on prescribed form – DHA-811(physical). The Certificate must not be older
than six (6) months at the time the applicant submits an application.
• The Original Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Clearance Certificate (full criminal
background check report), together with original Police Clearance Certificates from each
country in which the applicant has resided for a period of 12 months or longer after the age of
18 (within the past five (5) years), confirming the applicant’s criminal record status or
character. All certificates must not be older than six (6) months at the time of submission.
For Accompanying Spouse, include the following:
• Marriage Certificate OR in the case of a Foreign Spousal Relationship please provide:
▪ proof of official recognition thereof issued by the authorities of the foreign country of the
applicant (where applicable).
▪ Divorce Decree, where applicable.

For Accompanying Children, include the following:
• A Court Order granting full or specific parental responsibilities and rights, where applicable.
• Death Certificate, in respect of late spouse, where applicable.
• Written consent from both parents and full parental responsibilities, where applicable.
• Proof of Adoption, where applicable.
• Legal Separation Order, where applicable.
In case of a minor, a notarized letter of consent from the parent is required.
• Certified copies of proof of adoption/legal guardianship/birth certificate where
applicable.
In Respect of an Application by a Person who is the Spouse OR Dependent Child of the
holder of a visa issued in terms of Section 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 22 of the Act,
include the following:
• A certified/notarized copy of the visa holder’s visa, together with an Affidavit confirming
financial responsibility for the applicant.

Applications are assessed individually and time frames may vary, therefore you are kindly requested to wait until a decision on your application is taken and is ready for collection, as VFS Global cannot control or influence the processing times in any way.

Visa fees