Education in South Africa for Ukrainians
Exchange visas may be issued to foreigners under the age of 25 who wish to participate in cultural, economic or social exchange programs run by a government agency or a public higher education institution in conjunction with a foreign government agency. Applications are submitted to any regional department of the Department of Home Affairs or to the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad.
The validity of the exchange permit depends on the duration of the program for which it is issued and usually does not exceed 12 months. An exchange permit cannot be renewed or extended.
If you have successfully applied for an exchange permit, you will not be able to apply for a residence permit until you have resided outside of South Africa for at least 12 months.
If you require an exchange visa to participate in a program run or organized by an educational institution in South Africa in conjunction with a foreign educational institution/body (Section 22(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act 13 of 2002)), you must do the following:
- A duly completed application form BI-1738.
- A passport valid for at least 30 days after the end of your planned visit
- Payment of the established fee
- Certificate of vaccination, if required by law
- Confirmation of the availability of funds to cover living expenses during the stay in the Republic in the form of: bank statement, cash or traveler's checks
- Invitation of the host party in the Republic of South Africa
- Proof of health insurance
- A cash deposit equivalent to the cost of the return ticket or a commitment from the relevant institution to cover the costs of deportation, if necessary
- Medical and X-ray reports
- A police report from each country in which you have lived for 12 months or more since the age of 18
- A letter from the Ministry of Education or a public higher education institution of South Africa confirming that it is responsible for organizing/administering the program, describing the activities and their duration, and confirming that it assumes full responsibility for the student during his/her stay in the country
- A letter from a foreign authority confirming the student's data, including confirmation of the student's registration at a higher education institution abroad, as well as the date of commencement of studies.
- A certificate from a South African government agency or educational institution referred to in regulation 19(3).
If you require an exchange visa to participate in a program run or organized by a government agency (section 22(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act 13 of 2002), you must provide the following:
- A properly completed BI-1738 application form
- A passport valid for at least 30 days after the end of the planned visit
- Payment of the prescribed fee
- Certificate of vaccination, if required by law
- Confirmation of the availability of funds to cover living expenses during the stay in the Republic in the form of: bank statement, cash or traveler's checks
- Provision of a host in the Republic of South Africa
- Proof of health insurance
- Medical and X-ray reports
- A cash deposit equivalent to the cost of the return ticket or a commitment from the relevant institution to cover the cost of deportation, if necessary, together with proof of return ticket
- A letter from a government agency confirming the status/existence of the exchange program
- A letter from the educational institution abroad confirming your enrollment or a letter from a government agency in the foreign country confirming your participation in the program and their awareness of the exchange program
- Annual reports from the sponsoring organization describing the progress of the program. In the absence of a sponsoring organization, the reports must be provided by an educational institution or government agency.
- A police certificate from each country in which you have lived for 12 months or more since the age of 18.
To apply for an exchange visa issued under section 22(b) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act 13 of 2002), you must submit the following documentation to the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate:
- A duly completed application form BI-1738
- Passport valid for at least 30 days after the end of your planned visit
- Payment of the established fee
- Certificate of vaccination, if required by law
- Proof of funds to cover living expenses during the stay in the Republic in the form of: bank statement, cash or traveler's checks
- Provision of a host in the Republic of South Africa
- Proof of health insurance
- Medical and radiological reports
- A cash deposit equivalent to the cost of the return ticket or a commitment from the relevant institution to cover the cost of deportation, if applicable, together with proof of return ticket
- A police report from each country in which you have lived for 12 months or more since the age of 18
- A certificate from a potential employer confirming that
- that the position for which the exchange permit is issued exists
- that your salary meets the requirements of the job
- the employer will ensure your well-being and needs while working in his/her company
- the employer will inform the Department if you do not comply with the terms of the permit
- you will have to leave the country after the permit expires.
- You will not be able to apply for a permanent residence permit for 2 years after the expiry of your exchange permit.