South Africa Study Visa- How to apply from Nigeria
Despite the fact that South Africa's educational system went through a lot during the apartheid, it has still been able to thrive. South Africa has the highest quality of tertiary education in the whole of Africa and records show that more international students apply yearly to study in South Africa. Nigerians who want to study in South Africa require a visa and getting a South Africa Study visa is not a very stressful process if all the necessary documents are provided.
Requirements for a South Africa Study Visa
South Africa Study visa is also called the study permit and is under the long term visa category as it is valid for the duration of your course. Before applying for this visa, you must have been granted admission into a recognized South African school. If you want to apply for a scholarship at the South African institution, it should be done after you have gotten the visa.
The study visa grants its holders the liberty to work part-time for just 20 hours a week and can also be used by the dependents of people with a work visa. South Africa uses VFS global for all visa applications so applicants are to submit their applications along with the supporting documents in person to VFS global limited offices in Nigeria.
Considering studying in the United States? Find out all you need for a USA student visa here.
The supporting documents are:
- A BI-84 application form completely filled and signed strictly with a Black pen.
- Nigerian International passport valid for three months after the supposed completion of your course in South Africa. The passport should have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
- Photocopy of the passport data page and copies of present and previous passports.
- Two recent passport photographs (45x45mm) with a white or plainly colored background.
- A self-introduction letter or cover letter in which the applicant talks about themselves and reasons for wanting to travel to South Africa.
- If your school does not have any accommodation reservation for you, then you have to present documents showing that you have accommodation in South Africa.
- WAEC certificate or other results of previous degrees earned.
- Bank statements showing you can support yourself through your course. The statements must show that you have at 3,000 rands per month for the duration of your stay.
- Yellow Fever vaccination (yellow card) is required. the card should contain the applicant's full name, date the vaccination was taken and other personal details such as gender and age.
- A medical report stamped and signed by a renowned medical practitioner in Nigeria. It should show that you are free of contagious illnesses.
- A police report issued by local authorities in Nigeria, showing that the applicant has no criminal records.
Interested in other South Africa visa types available? You can find details on them here.
South Africa Visa Fees for Nigerians
| Visa fee | N8,600 |
| Service fee | N25,470 |
| Courier Service | N4,500 per passport |
These fees are subject to change based on the exchange rate at the time of the visa application.
Visa Processing Time
It takes approximately 8 weeks (2 months) to process a South African Study Visa from Nigeria. It can, however, be longer depending on individual circumstances.
South African Embassy in Nigeria
Address: Sterling Bank Plaza, 3rd Floor, Plot 1083. Mohammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja.
Telephone: (+234) 9 462 4200
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.dirco.gov.za/abuja/
VFS application center in Nigeria
- Address: 38, Lobito cresent, Wuse 2, Abuja
- Telephone: 01 46 28 098
- Opening hours: 08:00am to 3:00pm, Mondays to Fridays.
Do you need further help with processing your South Africa Study Visa? Ask us here, we can help you!