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Applicants
should know that they will be asked why
they wish to study in South Africa, and
will also need to specify how their
intended research would benefit South
Africa and/or if research links could be
established between South Africa and the
student’s home country. An applicant may
ask the academic department in which
he/she wishes to pursue studies for a
supporting letter. An applicant must
also submit a letter from the
Polytechnic (from the faculty registrar
or faculty assistant registrar) showing
that the applicant has been admitted as
a candidate, and will be registering if
he/she obtains a study permit.
Acceptance
by the Polytechnic of an applicant does
not bind the Department of Home Affairs
in any way to grant permission to enter
the country, to grant a study permit or
to allow him/her to reside in South
Africa.
The
Polytechnic does not undertake to obtain
a permit for an applicant. If you need
to make further enquiries, they should
be addressed to the nearest South
African Embassy or one of the Regional
Offices of the Department of Home
Affairs. The International Office
provides the necessary information to
returning students with renewals.
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How and
when to apply
You are
required to apply for a study permit at
the South African High Commission
(Commonwealth countries), Embassy,
Consulate or Trade Mission in your
country of origin. If there is no South
African representative in your country,
you must apply to the South African High
Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade
Mission nearest to your home country.
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The
repatriation guarantee is
equivalent to a return air
ticket.
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This
document must have the official
embassy receipt or it is not
accepted as a valid document.
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A
letter of sponsorship is not
enough evidence that a
repatriation guarantee has been
paid.
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If a
research student spends one year
in South Africa she/he must have
both a repatriation guarantee
and a return ticket.
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Proof
that you have sufficient funds to
cover living expenses.
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A
medical report (part of the
application form) and particulars
regarding medical cover.
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There is
a cost involved in applying for a
study permit and the relevant South
African Embassy/High
Commission/Trade Mission in your
country of origin will advise you of
this cost.
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Some
South African Embassies and
Consulates may require a letter from
Johannesburg Polytechnic stating
that you will not be taking the
place of a South African citizen and
that Johannesburg Polytechnic will
inform them if you deregister. If
you require this letter, please
contact the international office.
Should you
be resident in South Africa and apply
for a study permit there is a cost
payable to the department of Home
Affairs, either in cash or by means of
bank-cheque or bank guaranteed personal
cheque. No other forms of payment will
be accepted by the Department of Home
Affairs.
Please check with the South African
immigration office whether you are
required to pay the fee for re-entry
visa. Citizens from a number of
countries are exempt from this fee.
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Refugees and Asylum seekers
A refugee is a foreign national who has
refugee status accorded by the UNHCR,
has a South African identity book which
is stamped as refugee status, and is
valid for 2 years until permanent status
is awarded. If not, accorded status
reverts to ‘asylum seeker’. The Refugees
Act, Act No. 130 of 1998 (Section 27)
provides refugee students the right to
study without a study permit.
A person is
classified as an asylum seeker in South
Africa if in possession of a valid
permit issued under the Immigration Act,
Act No 13 of 2002 (Section 13)
Department of Home Affairs.
Tuition fees
are similar to local South African
students and they pay local application
fees. No medical aid cover is required.
NB:
Registered students are required to
update their records with the
International Office each time they
renew their permit.
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Diplomats
Diplomats
have the same status as South African
students. Their permits are facilitated
by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Children of
diplomatic staff under the age of 23
years are exempt from a study permit.
Spouses of
diplomatic staff do not automatically
qualify for exemptions from a study
permit. Foreign Affairs will consider
each application on its merits.
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Practical training permit
Although not many of our courses require
this permit, you might consider it, it
is a permit issued with a study permit
enabling a student to work towards the
completion of his/her
Diploma/Certificate/qualification. This
work must be study related. No other
work is allowed.
A student on a practical training permit
may not be paid in any way at all. The
permit is obtainable when applying for
the initial study permit. The Faculty
needs to provide you with a letter
indicating that you will be required to
work towards the completion of your
diploma/certificate in order for you to
be issued with this permit. Please note
that there is a fee payable to obtain a
training permit.
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Block
release students
These are students who attend the
Polytechnic for a period of less than
three months. These students may enter
South Africa on a visitor’s visa and are
therefore not required to obtain a study
permit. Block release students are also
exempted from the requirement of medical
aid cover.
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Lost/stolen passport
If your passport is stolen or lost on
campus, you are advised to report the
incidence to Campus Security. You also
need to report this to the police
station in order to get an affidavit.
The International Office will then issue
the student with a copy of the passport
(the page containing your personal
details and passport number) and a copy
of the study permit. You then proceed to
your embassy to apply for a new
passport. You will also need to go to
Home Affairs to have a study permit
endorsement.
Please note
that due to high incidences of lost
documents, we require that you deposit a
certified copy of your study permit
endorsed on your passport before you
resume classes. This is to enable us
help you in case you loose your
passport.
Students
should also not carry their passports
around, you are advised to make a
certified copy of your Passport at the
nearest Police Station and keep the
documents at your residence. Only walk
with certified documents, just in case
the police might require them.
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Passport
renewals
Passport renewals are done at the
embassies of your home country in South
Africa. Most embassies are represented
and a full directory is available from
International office. |
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