What does the South African legislation require?
In adherence to South African Government rules and regulations, all foreign students studying at a South African institution of higher learning, are required to have a valid study permit for that particular university and for the full duration of the studies.
How to apply for a study permit
The applicant must first be accepted by the University on academic grounds before they may apply for a study permit. For this the applicant needs a provisional admission/acceptance letter from the University Faculty. Without this letter this person will not be able to obtain a valid study permit.
Where do I apply for a study permit?
You may apply for a study permit from the South African Embassy or South African Mission in your country or at the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa closest to the University, which is Braamfontein when applying for a permit for the University of Johannesburg. Please visit the website of the Department of Home Affairs; www.dha.gov.zaor the Department Foreign Affairs for details of the SA mission in your country – www.dfa.gov.za, Foreign Relations.
Who should apply for a study permit?
a. Any person who does not have permanent residency of South Africa or is not a South African citizen.
b. Accompanying spouse person
c. Person under 18 years of age on a parents' passport
d. A foreigner married to a South African citizen and who is not in possession of a South African identity
document or who does not have permanent residency of South Africa yet.
e. A foreigner who has applied for permanent residency of South Africa but is awaiting the outcome (a
receipt from the Department Home Affairs is not acceptable documentation.)
f. A person who is in possession of a study permit for another South African tertiary institution
Who is exempted from this requirement?
The following persons are exempt of this condition but need to submit sufficient proof to the University official in order to register:
a. Political Asylum Seeker/Refugee. An Asylum seeker must submit a valid, relevant document endorsed
for study. A Refugee document, valid for two years automatically grants the right to study.
b. Diplomatic representatives and family (a letter is needed from the Protocol Section, Dept Foreign Affairs
that confirms diplomatic status in South Africa)
c. Person with permanent residence of South Africa (Permanent Residency Permit document proving this
status must be submitted)
d. Person with a South African identity document (SA ID)
e. Person with dual nationality (South Africa and another country). (A document from the Department of
Home Affairs stating this fact is necessary)
f. Person conducting research as post-doctoral scholar (visitors permit endorsed with reason of research
at the University of Johannesburg)
Work permit holders
According to the Department of Home Affairs a person who is legally in South Africa on a Work Permit is allowed to take up PART TIME studies at the University of Johannesburg. The student must obtain a letter from the relevant faculty that the course is presented on a part time basis and submit it to the International Admissions Office. The International Admissions Office will then give the student a letter to take to Home Affairs in order for them to endorse the work permit for part time studies.
What is the cost of a study permit?
The cost of a study permit for the full duration of studies or for a renewal of an existing study permit is R425 - payable at Home Affairs or the South African Embassy in your Home country.
What does the Department of Home Affairs require when applying for a study permit?
A passport valid for no less that 30 days after expiry of the intended visit
· A fully completed B1-1740 form, signed by the applicant accompanied with the following:
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Copy of return ticket or a repatriation guarantee in a form of a deposit equivalent to the cost of an air ticket to the country of origin or residence, if required
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Two ID photographs
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Full birth certificate
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Letter from sponsor/parent stating that they will be responsible for the tuition, maintenance and incidental costs.
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Medical cover registered with the Board of South African Medical Schemes
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Proof of financial means, in the form of a bank statement
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Vaccination certificate, if required
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In case of a person under 21 years, the particulars of the person in the Republic who act as the learner's guardian and confirmatory letter from such a person
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Proof of consent of the intended stay from both parents, or from the guardian parent along with proof of sole guardianship.
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A police clearance certificate issued by police or security authority in each country where applicant resided since the age of 18 years, which certificate shall not be older than 6 months at time of submission
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Medical and Radiological Reports
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An official letter of conditional acceptance from the University of Johannesburg
**Please Note: It can take up to 6 weeks from the date of an application to receiving a study permit.
Renewal of an existing Study Permit
If a study permit is to expire the student must apply in time (at least 6 weeks before the expiry date) for an extension of his/her existing study permit on the official BI-1739 Form available from any Department of Home Affairs Office. A University Official from the International Office need to complete a particular section of the form for the student.
What to do if a student's study permit has already expired
From the moment that the students' study permit expires he/she is considered an illegal person in the country. Therefore he/she will have to obtain a Visitors' Permit first before being able to apply for the renewal of the study permit. The International Office signs this renewal form when the student visits the Office.
It is important that the student knows that he/she will not be able to continue with their studies until a renewed permit is presented to the University Official (International Office).
Permanent Residency in South Africa
A foreigner residing in South Africa and who has obtained permanent residency of South Africa, no longer needs a study permit to study at a South African university. This person should be dealt with as a South African and only needs to submit proof of the permanent residency and the original permanent residency permit document from the Head Office of the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria to the University. If a person had already obtained a South African identity document, this can also be presented at the International Office.
However proof of application for permanent residency is not sufficient for a student to register.