For international students, South Africa is becoming a favourite destination to study. With affordable education courses and presence of some of the top universities in the world.

South Africa is an amazing country for exploration and career making. Most people who visit the country for educational purposes want to complete their postgraduate and undergraduate degrees.
If you don’t have a local passport, you will need a visa for South Africa so that you will be eligible to come to the country to study. You want to apply for a South African student visa. If you don't know about this requirement, we will guide you in this article about everything you need to know.

Do you need a student visa for South Africa?
If you are not from South Africa and want to complete a degree in the country, you will need to apply for a South African visa to travel.
However, you won’t be able to live permanently or on a long-term with visa-free travel,(as it lasts typically between 1-3 months) and can be used for the purpose of tourism.

South African Visa options for International Students
Visa options should be checked by all the international students who want to study in South Africa, which could apply to specific situations and nationalities in advance before they travel.

If you want to complete a longer than three months course or complete a university degree in South Africa, you will need to apply for a student visa. It is not the case for some, but most of the students will need a student visa.
“Most educational institutions and South African universities can also help or direct prospective international students to the required offices”.
Studying in South Africa on a Tourist Visa
A short course can be attended with a South Africa tourist visa, which is a short-term permit. An example would be a person who is learning English while exploring South Africa.

You should remember that you can only use the tourist visa for tourism purposes. If you are travelling to the country mainly for taking part in a course, you will no longer be eligible for a tourist visa.
“It is strongly recommended that all international students contact any nearby South African consulate or embassy before making any travel arrangements”.
Citizens of some countries can also visit the country without a visa for tourism and will be able to take part in a short course.

South African exchange visas for Foreign Students
If young visitors wish to participate in an economic, cultural, or social programme in the country, they can do so with an exchange visa, which includes school and university programmes.

Validity of exchange permits is the duration of the programme, and cannot exceed more than 12 months, and cannot be renewed or extended.
The exchange visa is only for foreigners who are not older than 25 years of age who can participate in an organized program by an institution in the country.
• A filled application form of an exchange visa
• pay the fees of visa application
• Validity of an eligible passport with a minimum of 30 days after the actual departure date from South Africa
• A financial means proof, medical insurance proof, radiology and medical reports, and vaccination certificate (if needed).
• Information regarding the programme and institution organizing it, along with an invitation letter.
• A foreign educational institutional letter who is participating in the programme.
• A clearance certificate from the police from the countries where the applicant, since the age of 18, resided for 12 or more months.
• Other supporting documents

How to get a Student Visa for South Africa?
Most of the international students will need to get a visa for the purpose of the study. To attend their specific course(s) in the country, read on how you can get the visa.

Where to Apply for a South Africa Student visa?
In most cases you should need to submit the application to the South African consulate or embassy in person. The immigration authorities can be contacted if you are already living in South Africa.
Please note: “The diplomatic missions of South Africa abroad will only provide you with services regarding visa application upon appointment”.

South Africa Student Permit Requirements
Applicants older than 18 need to provide these, to submit the application form successfully
• Accurate information is provided in all parts of an application form.
• Fees of visa processing .
• You need a valid Passport, which has the validity of a minimum of 30 days after the actual departure date from South Africa.
• Information regarding travel such as address(es) and itinerary where the applicant will reside in the country.
• Proof that the applicant can afford the institutional costs in the country.
• If a third party takes responsibility for all the costs for the international students, then provide their ID copies.
• Relevant medical records, vaccination certificates and radiology reports (if needed).
• Clearance certificates from the police (where applicable).
• An educational institution’s official letter confirming that they have offered the traveller a place to study.
• Other supporting documents.

A passport with at least 2 labelled visa blank pages presented at the consulate or embassy for the permit application.
If the Student is minor, then these documents are required:
• A notarized consent letter from guardian/parent.
• Birth certificate.
• Where applicable, legal/adoption guardianship certified copies.
• Information regarding the address of the person who will be the legal guardian of the traveller/student in South Africa.

How long is a South Africa student visa valid?
The duration of the study permit is the entire duration of the course or degree. For secondary schools, the duration is up to six years, while for primary schools, the duration is up to eight years.
(It could take 3-4 weeks in processing for visas exceeding 90 days).

Can you Work on a South Africa study permit?
You should apply for a proper work visa, if you are interested in working in the country. The study permit is only for studying in South Africa. However, students on a student visa can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week.

Why Should you study in South Africa?
Internationally famous universities are available in South Africa, such as “the University of Stellenbosch and Witwatersrand and Cape Town”. These are the top 3 African universities.
“You will be able to live in an extraordinary and unique country by moving here, with famous multicultural urban centres and natural attractions.”

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Renowned businessman Paul Harris said people who want to leave South Africa for good because they think there is no future in the country should think again.
Harris is widely celebrated as one of South Africa’s great entrepreneurs, behind some of the country’s most successful businesses.
These include Rand Consolidated Investments, Rand Merchant Bank, and FirstRand. He also helped to establish the Ingwelala, Mabula, Welgevonden, and Thorny Bush game reserves.

Harris shared his thoughts about South Africa and emigration during an interview with The Relocated South African podcast, hosted by Jan Hugo.
This interview took place amidst serious challenges in South Africa, which prompted many people to consider leaving the country and moving overseas.
The United Nations’ International Migrant Stock report showed a steady outflow of skilled South Africans over the last thirty years.
The UN’s data shows that in 1990, approximately 295,400 South Africans were living internationally. By 2000, it reached 495,000, and by 2010, it rose to 705,000.

In 2020, 900,000 South Africans lived abroad, and this number surpassed 1 million in 2024. This translates to an average of 74 people leaving every day between 2020 and 2024.
It has reached such concerning levels that the Allianz Risk Barometer for 2025 showed that the shortage of skilled workers has become one of South Africa’s biggest risks.

Despite South Africa’s challenges and the increasing popularity of emigration, Harris advised people to think carefully before making such a decision.
He is well-positioned to discuss this topic as he previously left South Africa but decided to return and make it his home.
“I emigrated. Whatever way you look at it, it takes five years out of your life. Before you go, it is all you think and talk about,” he said.
“When you arrive in the new country, it is a struggle to find where you should live, who you are going to make friends with, and what home you can buy.”

People who emigrate typically maintain strong connections with those at home, and they continue to visit South Africa on holidays.
He advised people to avoid obsessing about emigrating and instead make the most of their lives in South Africa. However, that does not mean working overseas is not advised.

“Going out and getting a more worldly view is important and fantastic. Your people who want to work overseas, go for it,” he said.
“However, if you are leaving South Africa for good because you do not think there is a future here, you should think again.”

South Africa is a great country with excellent opportunities
Harris said that despite the country’s serious problems, it is one of the greatest countries to live in, offering immense opportunities.
He highlighted that South Africa faced numerous challenges in the past, including the Boer War, World Wars, Apartheid, and the transition to democracy.
Despite all these difficult times, the country survived. He added that South Africa faced much bigger challenges in the past than it does now.
He argued that South Africans are resourceful and aspirational and have solved many of the challenges associated with living in South Africa.

This includes private security to protect against crime, private education, and private healthcare to bypass poor state hospitals.
He admitted that these options are not available to all South Africans and that you need to be wealthy to benefit from them.
However, if you are in this position, the country offers excellent opportunities and gives you the ability to make a real difference in people’s lives.
He gave the example of his daughter, who runs a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that helps young children learn to read.
“She helps 220,000 kids to read. Her network includes 20,000 computers in schools across South Africa, and employs 800 people,” he said.

He said experiencing the excitement of the kids in the townships working on the computers leaves everyone with a tear in their eyes.
“South Africa offers you the opportunity to contribute. It is off a very low base, which means a small thing can make a difference,” he said.
“There is nothing that can replace that for me. An environment where you can make a huge difference.”

He said many South Africans sit around and complain about the country and its problems. “Forget about that. Get on with it and go and do something,” he said.
“I am not saying for one moment that there are not massive frustrations. However, that is part of the path to achieve something.”

Porters roam the narrow streets of Laleli in central Istanbul carrying parcels ready for shipment to customers all over the world.
The maze of alleys that lead down to the Sea of Marmara have long been the centre of the "suitcase trade" to sub-Saharan Africa, a route through which merchants carry goods back and forth in their baggage.
But Laleli's informal shipping scene, once a bustling hub of cross-continental trade, is now facing growing pressure from rising costs and tougher residency rules imposed by Turkish authorities.

African traders, who helped drive demand for Turkish goods through the "kargo" system -- small-scale shipping services between Turkish wholesalers and buyers across Africa - say business has slumped, even as official export figures continue to rise.
While some still make round trips, most trade now moves through shipping services.
For agents like Fadil Bayero -- a Cameroonian who runs a kargo business that ships clothing, cosmetics and home textiles from Turkey to clients across Africa -- business is slow.

Turkish products have a very good reputation in Africa, he said.
"Before this room was filled to the ceiling. Today it is half-empty," the 39-year-old said.
Like many Africans in the neighbourhood, he claimed that shipments have dropped, even as Turkish exports to Africa have generally soared -- from $11.5 billion (R207 billion) in 2017 to $19.4 billion last year.
Turkish textiles, once known for their affordability, have grown more expensive in recent years.
Merchants say inflation -- above 35 percent since late 2021 -- has pushed African buyers toward cheaper suppliers in China and Egypt.

But for Bayero, the explanation lies elsewhere.

"It's not inflation that's the problem, it's the arrests. Many people have been deported," he said.
Since 2022, Turkey's migration policy has toughened, with the authorities blocking new residence permit applications in several districts of Istanbul, including Fatih, where Laleli is located.

The goal is to limit the proportion of foreigners to 20 percent per neighbourhood.
"The stores, the streets, everything is empty now," said Franck, one of Bayero's colleagues.
"Look out the window -- the sellers sit all day drinking tea while waiting for customers."

A few streets away, Shamsu Abdullahi examined his spreadsheets.

In his dimly lit room, dozens of bundles are stacked on the white tiled floor, awaiting shipment.
Since January, he and his two colleagues have shipped over 20 tons of goods by air freight and filled the equivalent of 15 maritime containers.
The Nigerian has also made around 15 round trips to his homeland, bringing 80 kilos (176 pounds) of goods with him on each journey.
"My residence permit expires in two months, and I think the authorities won't renew it," he said.
He and his associates generate over a million euros a year in revenue.

"It's money spent in Turkey that fuels the local economy," he said.

Historian Issouf Binate, a lecturer at Alassane Ouattara University in the Ivory Coast, said much of the trade is informal, making it hard to track.
"It's difficult to provide figures on the volume of Turkey's exports to Africa because many businesses are informal," he said.
"Kargos" are "transitional businesses", with improvised activity shared between friends or family members.
Many in Laleli now believe that the golden age of the "kargo" and suitcase trading is over.
"In one year we went from about three tons of shipments per week to 1.5," said a young Congolese who has lived in Istanbul for five years and asked not to be named.

"Even if we still manage to find low-cost products, we cannot compete with China," he added.
Arslan Arslan, a Turkish merchant who sells African dresses a few metres (yards) away, painted the same picture.
"Before, I had customers from morning to evening... but the authorities sent them back."
Now Arslan searches for his African customers on social media.
"I'm on Telegram, Instagram, Facebook. But here, everything has become expensive," he said.
"I've lost 70 percent of my revenue in a year."

The bureaucracy is frustrating and vigilance is required, but this country’s natural beauty and affordable cost of living are hard to beat
Writer Johnny Prince met his wife in Cape Town 10 years ago

I first landed in Cape Town back in 2004, at 22 years old, for a one-year study-abroad programme with the University of Edinburgh. I’d never set foot on the African continent before, but I was completely hooked the moment I stepped off the plane. My mind was blown, seeing a buzzing city surrounded by incredible scenery, from Table Mountain to the Atlantic Ocean.
Something about the energy of Cape Town got under my skin. After my study year ended, I headed back to Edinburgh to finish my economics degree, but I knew I’d be returning.

After hundreds of phone calls and messages, a friend I had met in Cape Town and I came up with the idea to start a travel company running gap year adventures in South Africa for UK students. I moved back to Cape Town in 2008, when we ran our first trip. The early days were a blur of school talks and dodgy projectors, but the end result was a series of successful three-month overland journeys across South Africa.

The business evolved into tailor-made travel, starting with friends and word of mouth. Then, in 2014, I co-founded a new travel company, Timbuktu.
South Africa has more than lived up to my expectations. It is an incredible country. You can hike in the Drakensberg mountains, drive across the Karoo desert, sip world-class wine in the Cape Winelands and spot lions in Kruger National Park. Cape Town itself is such a great mix of just about everything – mountains, beaches, restaurants, shopping (so my wife tells me!) and culture.

Prince says South Africa’s diverse landscapes make it an exciting place to live
South Africa has a very entrepreneurial spirit with amazing talent, especially creatively, and it’s a great place to build a team. The operating costs in South Africa are relatively low, which is a huge advantage in scaling a business, locally and internationally. The flip side is the bureaucracy! There’s a lot of red tape and restrictions around banking and international payments. There are also very strict labour laws, heavily weighted towards employees, which is great in theory, but it can make it tough to move quickly when you’re trying to grow.

The cost of living, compared to the UK, is incredible. You can have an amazing lifestyle without the eye-watering prices of London (especially when it comes to renting property and eating out).

In terms of lifestyle, it really couldn’t be more different to the UK. Here, my days revolve around the outdoors – surfing before work, hiking at the weekend, and visiting some of the best restaurants and vineyards in the world. Endless blue skies and sunshine help too!
Of course, there are downsides. The social inequality and economic issues are huge. Many people live in poverty and there are high levels of crime in certain areas. Pockets of racial tension still exist too, after the country’s apartheid past.

Safety is probably the biggest question mark for most people and, when you look at the bigger picture across the country, it’s sadly not unjustified. However, it is very location specific. I have now lived in Cape Town, in various locations, for nearly 20 years and have always felt very safe in most central and coastal suburbs. You definitely learn to be more vigilant, however. You have to be aware that there is a lot of petty crime on the streets, related to the high levels of poverty and unemployment. This means not leaving anything visible in your car, not walking alone at night and avoiding certain areas.

Visas are the less glamorous side of moving to South Africa. My initial visa was relatively straightforward as it was a study visa linked to my course in Cape Town, but it only gave me a year in South Africa. When we started our first travel company – which was based in the UK with an office in Cape Town – I got an Intra-Company Transfer work visa, which allowed me to work in South Africa for up to four years. I then managed to renew that visa for another four years.

When we started Timbuktu, which is based in Cape Town, I got a Critical Skills visa with the help of an immigration lawyer. Finally, after five years and jumping through more hoops than I can count, I got Permanent Residency status, which allows me to live and work in South Africa indefinitely.

Navigating the visa landscape can be overwhelming – and it has become more challenging in recent years, with long wait times and fewer options – but finding a good immigration lawyer is a game changer. Finding one early on is my best advice.
‘The direction feels hopeful,’ says Prince of the atmosphere in Cape Town Credit: Getty

Since I first moved here, Cape Town feels more international. There has been a huge increase in tourists visiting and working remotely due to the lifestyle benefits. There’s an influx of new apartment hotels and Airbnbs along the Atlantic coast, where we live. From a business perspective, the number of people starting businesses and investing in the country is higher, which is fantastic to see. There’s also been a shift in the social fabric. When I first arrived, racial tension was much more visible, but now I think there’s more integration, collaboration, and progress. There’s still work to do, but the direction feels hopeful.

My (now) wife and I met in Cape Town 10 years ago. We both love living here and it definitely feels like home, particularly since we bought a house in the coastal neighbourhood of Sea Point two years ago. We are both very free-spirited and don’t make long-term plans, but neither of us can imagine life without Cape Town in it.

My advice for anyone moving to South Africa is to say yes to everything (within reason!). Be open, be patient, and embrace the adventure. Things like setting up bank accounts and navigating paperwork can take longer than you’d like, but the rewards and lifestyle far outweigh any of these frustrations.
If you come with an open heart and a flexible mindset, you’ll discover a country bursting with natural beauty, creative energy, and a lifestyle that’s hard to beat.

How to move to South Africa
Immigration lawyer Nora Dawud, founder of Cape Town-based Black Pen Immigration, breaks down some common visa options for British citizens.

Retired Person’s Visa
Requirements: Monthly income of at least ZAR 37,000 (approximately £1,600) from passive sources (e.g. pensions, annuities or investment returns).
Work Visa (e.g. Critical Skills Visa)
Requirements: Qualifications and experience in fields listed on South Africa’s critical skills list and an offer from a South African employer.

Financially Independent Permit (Permanent Residency)
Requirements: Proof of net worth of at least ZAR 12 million (approx. £500,000), plus payment of ZAR 120,000 (approx. £5,000) upon approval.
Processing times: Between eight weeks for a work visa and up to two to four years for a financially independent permit, depending on specific circumstances.

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Money, they say, is the root of all evil. And this is what often happens when a family member has a role to play when it comes to devolving assets for a deceased estate when they have been appointed as executors.
Several court cases deal with misdeeds or conflicts of interest by family members of someone who has died and are then in a position of power when it comes to wrapping up the dead person’s estate.

In one, a gentleman called Ronnie died and appointed his life partner, Susanna, and his tax practitioner as co-executors. Ronnie’s son, Sean, and Susanna were set to inherit his estate in accordance with Ronnie’s will.

This is not illegal. Capital Legacy explained that it is possible for someone to both be a beneficiary and executor of a will and, in fact, there are times when this makes practical sense. It said that, however, when family or friends are appointed, a co-executor is also appointed. Appointing a professional also means there’s a safety net because, if they become incapable of doing their duties, should they, for example, also die, there will be a contingency plan in place as someone else from their business can take over.

Sean felt the estate was being mismanaged and, so, went to the Cape Town High Court asking that the executors be removed and the Master replace them. He argued that the two executors, especially Susanna, had a conflict of interest because she couldn’t be fair when she was set to benefit.
According to Sean, he had been trying for some time to get the relevant financial documents from the executors and hadn’t received them. He also told the court he had asked the Master of the High Court for assistance, without success.
The Master of the High Court is meant to ensure that the process is carried out according to the Administration of Deceased Estates Act and the will's stipulations.

Detailed in the ruling is a key matter: a dispute between Sean and Susanna as to whether an AirBnB was part of Ronnie’s estate.
Susanna argued, with the tax practitioner supporting her, that Ronnie intended her to have the AirBnB so she could generate income and “cease her 30-year-long transcription services work which had become increasingly burdensome,” as the ruling said.

The rather lengthy court ruling concludes with granting Sean an order that Susanna and the tax practitioner are “hereby removed as executors of the deceased estate” and the Master had 30 days to appoint a new executor. As part of the ruling, the judge said that Susanna and the tax practitioner had to provide detailed documentation regarding their administration of the estate, including income and expenses, as well as assets.
Wayne Mostert, MD of ASI Wealth, explained that “the court found that Susanna, being both a beneficiary and executor, was in a position where her personal interests unduly influenced her ability to act impartially in administering the estate. This conflict of interest, coupled with concerns about transparency and documentation, contributed to her removal.”

What also concerned the court, said Mostert, was that “the tax practitioner aligned herself with Susanna,” which “undermined her objectivity and cast doubt on her ability to act in the best interests of all beneficiaries”.

As PM Attorneys explained in a blog, executors could “make decisions that personally benefit them”. Mostert said this had also been ASI’s experience.
The sad reality is that cases like these are not isolated, said Mostert. “Emotions run high during the winding up of estates, and appointing family members as executors often leads to tension, suspicion, or outright disputes, particularly where significant assets or families are involved,” he said.
PM Attorneys advised that executors who are beneficiaries should be cautious to maintain impartiality and fairness in estate administration. “Executors must act in good faith, following the instructions in the will and in accordance with South African law,” it said.

To mitigate such issues, the law firm advocates for the executor to be transparent, a viewpoint with which Mostert concurs. Or better yet, appoint an independent professional.

Independent executors are held to fiduciary standards and are legally obligated to act in the best interest of the estate, said Mostert. “They have systems in place, the necessary experience, and no emotional involvement, which allows them to carry out their duties objectively and in line with legal requirements,” he said.

Transparency is crucial in estate administration, noted Mostert. “It builds trust, reduces the likelihood of disputes, and ensures that beneficiaries feel respected and informed throughout what is often a very difficult time,” he said.
Mostert explained that estate planning is not just about writing a will: “It’s about putting the right structures in place to protect your legacy and ensure a smooth transfer of assets.”

Aspects that could lead to a conflict of interest:
1. Disagreements among beneficiaries
Other beneficiaries might think the executor is making decisions in their own favour rather than equally considering everyone's interests, which is especially common with larger estates.

2. Allegations of mismanagement or fraud
Claims of mismanagement or fraud can result in extended legal proceedings, to the detriment of all parties.

3. Lack of experience
Beneficiary executors may lack the experience needed for estate administration, potentially causing delays or legal issues due to mistakes.