INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE INTERNATIONAL / FOREIGN STUDENTS

For the purpose of registration and study in Johannesburg Polytechnic, we define an International Student as a student who comes from a foreign country which requires a study permit to study in the Republic of South Africa.

As such the following are not International Students:

• A Citizen of South Africa with a Green ID Book

• A permanent resident with a Green ID Book

• A recognized refugee with a red ID card or with a Section 24 Permit

• An Asylum Seeker with a Section 22 Permit

All other nationalities must have a valid student permit to study in Johannesburg Polytechnic.

Acceptance by the Polytechnic  OR FEES PAYMENT of an applicant does not bind the Department of Home Affairs OR the consular in a South African Embassy or High Commission 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. 

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.

• Repatriation guarantee: All students must have repatriation guarantees from the S.A Embassy/High Commissions that issue the study permit.

1. The repatriation guarantee is equivalent to a return air ticket.

2. This document must have the official embassy receipt or it is not accepted as a valid document.

3. A letter of sponsorship is not enough evidence that a repatriation guarantee has been paid.

4. If a research student spends one year in South Africa she/he must have both a repatriation guarantee and a return ticket.

• Proof that you have sufficient funds to cover living expenses.

• A medical report (part of the application form) and particulars regarding medical cover.

• 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.

• 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 our student admissions 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. 
 

COURSES REQUIRING A STUDENT PERMIT

All courses requiring more than 3 months of study requires a student permit. However we DO NOT give letters of admission for short courses to individual students not unless they are being seconded by a company abroad. This is to avoid students who come for short courses only to overstay their visas.

CONDITIONS OF ISSUING A STUDENT LETTER OF ADMISSION

PROSPECTIVE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA.

Currently the Polytech will only issue letters of admission to prospective students outside of South Africa intending to do any one of the following courses:

• CAT Full Qualification (Must register for the 9 Modules and pay for all nine modules upfront)

• CIMA-Full Qualification (Must register for at least 9 modules and pay for all nine modules upfront(

• ACCA Professional Scheme ( Must Register for the at least 9 Modules and pay for all nine Modules upfront.)

A letter of admission will NOT  be ISSUED where a prospective student is coming to undertake one, two or three modules in one  full year whilst he/she is outside the republic. In this case you should apply for distance learning or apply for a Temporary Resident Permit as a Visitor, then come to apply directly with us for the short course. In case you opt for distance learning, we will send you BPP Books, Study guides as well as revision kit at an affordable fee.

PROSPECTIVE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INSIDE SOUTH AFRICA

The above conditions do not apply for students who are already in the republic and have a valid work permit. In this case a Part-time student permit SHOULD be applied from the department of home affairs provided the student has a valid Work Permit. Under no circumstances will Johannesburg Polytechnic issue a letter of admission without prove that the student is working validly in the republic. This may entail production of an original  valid working permit as endorsed in the passport as well as a letter from the employer.

Prospective students holding a Temporary Resident Permit of 3 Months and below and would like to apply for a study permit MUST ALSO pay tuition fees for at least 6 modules in advance before such a letter is issued. This money is refundable in event that a permit is denied by the relevant authority (Consular service at a High Commission/Embassy or at the Department of Home Affairs while in the republic). 

Please note that you must provide a valid passport number during registration as it is the one we use to determine whether a permit was given or not in case you decide to have a refund. Under no other circumstances will we refund tuition fees whatsoever. Please note that Application Processing Fees are not refundable under no circumstances.

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, Section 22

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.

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. 

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. The  work must be study related to your discipline of choice. 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.

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.

Lost/stolen passport
If your passport is stolen or lost on campus, you are advised to report the incidence to the admissions office. 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.

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. 

Student Accommodation 

Johannesburg Polytechnic does not have own accommodation for students. However we make arrangements for students who have no accommodation if contacted well in advance. The student will pay all the requisite amount plus R300.00 for the college to seek an accommodation. This fee is not refundable should the student feel that the accommodation is not suitable for them. Please note that we only deal with reputable agents to get accommodation for our students. Since 2000, South Africa and Johannesburg City has seen tremendous increase of students seeking accommodation. Braamfontein is the student centre, a clean place where life revolves around student life. You will be happy if you can find accommodation in Braamfontein, for one thing you won't have to take any transport to and from school. Braamfontein is a walking distance to the college. 
 

There are several agents who will help you to get accommodation in Braamfontein, however be ready to pay a deposit and sign a lease for at least one year. If you wouldn't mind telecommuting, there are several accommodations which are outside the CBD, these includes areas like Yeoville, Hillbrow (But take caution if you are new in Johannesburg) and Berea. All the same accommodation ranges from R1500.00-R2000.00 per month per person. Sometimes it is advisable for you to come in advance and seek accommodation before resuming your classes. All accommodation for rent requires a deposit equivalent to 3 months rental, so a typical deposit will range from R4000.00 to R6000.00. depending on the accommodation. Most of the accommodation agents provide a bed, (no beddings) a reading desk, a chair and in some buildings broadband internet is available (but you have to pay a monthly fee). Single or bachelor flats are generally preferable but they are also expensive. So plan your finances well in advance to avoid taking expensive flats only to regret later.

Entertainment in form of a common TV room is available as well as a common kitchen which is shared amongst the students. You might also find that you share this accommodation with other students from different colleges and universities. Please note that it is very important that you get accommodation with a reputable agency so that things like proof of residence (water bill, electricity bill or Telkom account) giving a proof of where you are staying and mostly needed by banks (for FICA purposes) to open student accounts will not be a problem. 

Below find some of the agents and their websites where you can find affordable accommodation.