Universities South Africa (USAf)
All foreign undergraduate applicants must apply for matriculation exemption through Universities South Africa. The application process is the responsibility of the applicant. Generally, the process should be complete before applying to the University of the Free State. In exceptional circumstances, exceptions are possible in accordance with the UFS rules. The latest, the letter of exemption from USAf must be submitted prior to registration. Please
click here for further information and to apply.
It is your responsibility to obtain a study visa before arriving in South Africa to commence your studies. Please note that your study visa is issued for study at one institution and you would have to apply for a change of conditions should you wish to change institutions.
You are required to apply for a study visa at the South African high commission, embassy, consulate or trade mission in your country of residence. If there is no South African representative in that country, you must apply at the nearest South African high commission, embassy, consulate or trade mission. The following are the current requirements to be submitted to the South African embassy/ consulate in your country to obtain your study visa: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/types-of-temp-res-permits
PLEASE NOTE
The holder of a study visa for studies at a higher-education institution may conduct part-time work for a period not exceeding 20 hours per week (
http://www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica/study-visa-content.html)
Work and Business Visa
ENDORSEMENT FOR PART TIME STUDIES FOR HOLDERS OF GENERAL, CRITICAL SKILLS, INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER WORK VISAS AND BUSINESS VISAS.
A holder of a valid temporary residence visa issued for the categories mentioned below will be allowed to register and undertake part-time studies with Institutions of Higher Learning as defined by the Immigration Regulations of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) during the validity period of their respective visas.
- General work visa;
- Critical skills work visa;
- Intra-company transfer work visa; and
- Business visa;
The holders of the above-listed categories of temporary residence visas will no longer be required to submit requests to the Department for “endorsement “of study as a secondary activity. This provision allows for part-time study ONLY. Institutions of Higher Learning registered with the Department of Higher Education are advised not to allow these categories of applicants to study full time on these visas.
The duration of the course/qualification must not exceed the period of validity of the primary visa. A register of such learners must be kept by the institution of learning and be made available to the Inspectorate of the Department of Home Affairs for inspection when required. This Directive replaces the secondary activity endorsements for study as previously provided for in Directive 31 of 2008
Asylum Seeker
He/She is a person who has fled his or her country of origin and is seeking recognition and protection as a refugee in the Republic of South Africa, and whose application is still under consideration.
In case of a negative decision on his application, he has to leave the country voluntarily or will be deported.
Eligibility Procedure: Asylum Seeker
Refugee
He/She is a person who has been granted asylum status and protection in terms of the section 24 of Refugee Act No 130 of 1998.
Under the 1951 United Nations Convention, a refugee can be a “convention refugee” who has left his home country and has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or a membership in a particular social group.
Under the same convention, a refugee can also be a person “in need of protection” whose removal to his home country would subject him personally to a danger of torture or to a risk to his life or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.
Permanent Residency
General Information
Applications for permanent residency in South Africa are considered in terms of Section 26 (Direct Residency Permits) and Section 27 (Residency-on-Other-Grounds Permits) of the Immigration Act 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002) and read with Regulation 33 of the Immigration Regulations. In terms of granting Permanent Residency Permits, emphasis is placed on immigrants who are able to make a meaningful contribution to broadening the economic base of South Africa.
To make an application for a permanent residency permit, applicants must first submit representation to the Minister of Home Affairs motivating why he or she should be declared not to be a prohibited person or an undesirable person.
Direct residence permits
This category of permit is applicable to foreigners who have been residing in South Africa on the basis of their work permits for a minimum period of five years, their spouses and also to dependents of South African citizens/permanent residence permit holders.
To apply for a direct residency permit you need to complete Form BI-947.
Residency-on-other-grounds permits
Study Visa
How to apply for a Study Visa
The applicant must first be accepted by the University on academic grounds before they may apply for a study visa. For this the applicant needs a provisional admission/acceptance letter from the University Faculty. Without this letter this person will not be able to obtain a valid study visa.
POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH VISA – VISITOR’S VISA SECTION 11(1)(B)(iii) RESEARCH
Applications for this visa is for Post Doctoral research positions (exceeding 3 months to 3 years.
Medical Cover
In terms of the Immigration Amendment Act 19 of 2004 any prospective student to the Republic of South Africa, must be in possession of medical cover with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act, 1998 Act 131 of 1998. In order to comply with the above requirement, the University requires proof of full medical cover with a South African based medical aid scheme for a full calendar year.
Recommended medical covers represented on campus:
Momentum Health (Ingwe Option)
Compcare