Study permits in South Africa are issued by the Department Of Home Affairs for foreigners who are looking to study at a South African accredited learning institute and reside in South Africa.

SOUTH AFRICAN STUDY PERMITS ARE ISSUED IN THE MAIN TWO TYPES OF IMMIGRANTS:

1. Stand alone immigrants that wish to continue their studies in South Africa.
   For example at universities.

Applications for study permits need to be submitted with various supporting documentation such as medical insurance, acceptance by the school of proof of the ability of the student, or students sponsor, to support themselves throughout the study period.

Study permits are issued if the applicant submits, besides other documentations, an official letter from the relevant institution confirming provisional acceptance and the duration of the course. The student may work for up to 20 hours per week during the semester or when the workplace is a learning institution.

Please note: Study permit holders do not qualify for a permanent residence application.

2. Students who are accompanying their families in immigration to South Africa.
   This may be (for example) that one of the parents has taken up employment in South Africa
   and has obtained the applicable work permit.

In this event a study permit must still be applied for and issued to allow the student to attend a learning institution and this is achieved by supplying the appropriate application, acceptance by the school, proof of medical insurance and the normal requirements associated with a permit / visa application.

STUDY PERMITS VALIDITY PERIOD

Study permits in South Africa are normally issued for the duration of the course at the approved learning centre.

WHERE CAN YOU STUDY?

In general you can study at schools, universities, colleges, approved learning/training centers and language schools. In reality most learning activities that are approved and you must attend, will allow for the submission of a study permit application.

It should be noted that correspondence / distance learning courses do not allow for the issuance of a study permit.

Read more about studying in South Africa in our free immigration brochures. Click here »

Our FREE online eligibility assessment
Request for a call back from one of our dedicated immigration client managers
E-mail us

Our telephone contact details including local lines for our German and United Kingdom clients
can be found on our home page.