where TO emigrate
Get Your Free Verdict
← South Africa · all routes
South Africa · Study

South Africa Study Visa

12 facts quoted from the official source

A foreigner accepted by a South African learning institution may reside for the approved course of study.

Income required
—
Means required · no figure published
Can bring
—
Not stated in the official source
Requirements
4
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

4 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Admission or enrolment at an education institutionAn official letter confirming provisional acceptance or acceptance and the duration of the course is required.
  • Financial meansThe applicant must prove sufficient financial means while resident in South Africa.
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • Health insuranceMedical cover with a registered South African medical scheme must be renewed annually for the period of study.
  • Passport or travel documentPassport or travel document must remain valid for at least 30 days after the intended visit and have an unused endorsement page.
What rules you out

1 exclusion quoted from the official source.

  • Material restrictions or case-specific conditionsThe study visa lapses if the holder does not register or is deregistered from the institution.
Also stated by the source
  • Eligible Students Part Time Hours Per WeekHigher-education and further-education students may work part time for no more than 20 hours per week.
  • Primary School Max YearsThe visa is normally issued for the course duration; primary-school visas may not exceed eight years and secondary-school visas six years.
  • Secondary School Max YearsThe visa is normally issued for the course duration; primary-school visas may not exceed eight years and secondary-school visas six years.
  • Work rights during studyHigher-education and further-education students may work part time for no more than 20 hours per week.
Family

Who you can bring

— Not stated in the official source. The official page for this route does not address dependent-family rights, so we do not publish a claim either way.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Validity
2 proven from the official source.
  • Duration and validityThe visa is normally issued for the course duration; primary-school visas may not exceed eight years and secondary-school visas six years.
  • Valid Beyond Intended Visit DaysPassport or travel document must remain valid for at least 30 days after the intended visit and have an unused endorsement page.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every South Africa route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to South Africa?
The official source states: A foreigner accepted by a South African learning institution may reside for the approved course of study.
02How much money do I need?
The official source states: The applicant must prove sufficient financial means while resident in South Africa. It does not publish a fixed amount — no minimum figure is stated.
03Do I need health insurance?
The official source states: Medical cover with a registered South African medical scheme must be renewed annually for the period of study.

Every answer is quoted from the official dha.gov.za page for this route, last read 2026-07-27.

We checked 12 points against the official source; 12 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Fees and processing time are not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source dha.gov.zaLast read 2026-07-27 Every quote on this page is from this South Africa government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-27 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, elsewhere

Study routes in other countries

197 other countries publish at least one study route. Nearest first.

Lesotho2 study routes Namibia2 study routes Zimbabwe2 study routes Botswana1 study route Eswatini1 study route Greece19 study routes

Does this route fit your numbers?

That depends on your income, savings and family — the parts of the story only you know. The free 3-minute check scores your profile against every South Africa route at once, this one included. Then the full South Africa report takes you the rest of the way.

Get Your Free Verdict All South Africa routes

• Free • 3 minutes • No signup