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Ready to Go to South Africa
Study Permit Information
This information will guide you through the process of obtaining a study permit for the Republic of South Africa. The additional documentation required by Arcadia University will be sent to you regarding this process via a special UPS mailing.
Please read this entire page very carefully.
Blank Pages: ALL students must have three blank pages in their passport upon entry into South Africa (thus all students should have at least four blank pages when leaving the US). This is an immigration requirement and anyone who does not have three blank pages will be denied entry. Please check your passport for these extra pages and make sure to request new pages if you do not have a sufficient amount.
Study Permit Basics
- Processing Time : Approximately 10 business days
- Processing Fee : US$72.00 money order or certified bank check only
US citizens attending summer programs do not require a Study Permit. Instead, US citizens on short-terms programs are eligible to enter South Africa on a visas waiver that is granted at the airport upon arrival. No prior clearance is necessary. This waiver is valid for 90 days. Semester students and students studying in South Africa for more than 90 days must obtain a Study Permit.
Students without a US passport must check the RSA Home Affairs website to confirm what visa regulations apply.
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Required Components
All required forms can be found by visiting http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/homeaffairs/trp.htm#study%20permit.
- A duly completed application form (BI-1738) signed by the applicant.
- Passport valid for no less than 30 days upon completion of study. Passport must have two unused (blank) visa pages. Will be returned to applicant with the visa attached.
- Two passport-sized photos.
- Notarized copy of birth certificate.
- Roundtrip flight itinerary.
- Medical report Form BI-811)
- Radiological report (chest x-ray) or TB skin test (Form BI-806)
- Proof of medical insurance to cover applicant during stay in South Africa (provided by Arcadia)
- An official letter from the host institution confirming acceptance. (provided by Arcadia)
- An official letter certifying enrolment from the institution of learning concerned in the United States. (provided by Arcadia)
- Proof of financial means in the form of a bank statement or a notarized letter from the parents stating their financial responsibility.
- State police clearance certificate (criminal background check) for all applicants 18 years of age or older, from all previous countries of residence where the student lived for more than one year.
- In the case of a minor (under 21), a notarized letter of consent from the parents.
- Proof of US status, in case of applicants who are not US citizens e.g. I-20 for F1 visa holders, greencard etc.
- A repatriation cash deposit of $1000.00 in case of all applicants studying in South Africa for one year or more.
- A vaccination certificate if an applicant is passing through yellow fever belt area before entering or during stay in South Africa.
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Mailing Instructions
- Mailing Fee: US$16.00 FedEx overnight
New York, Los Angeles or Chicago Applicants
Fees must be paid in postal money order or certified bank check payable to South African Consular General (SACG). The postal money order or certified bank check must be made out with the exact amount as no refunds will be made. Cash and personal check payments are not accepted. Do not issue more than one postal money order or certified bank check for all fees payable.
Washington, DC Applicants
Please note that from 1 April 2008, the Embassy in Washington DC will no longer accept mailing/postage fee from applicants in order to return documents. Applicants must enclose a self-addressed, pre-paid FedEx envelope at the time of application for documents (such as passport, visas and permits) to be mailed back to applicant. The applicant's name and address must be indicated as both the sender (return address) and receiver (addressee) on the prepaid courier envelope. All courier envelopes/labels must have a tracking number.
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Where to Send Your Application
Please check the list of South African diplomatic or consular representative offices below to see where you should submit your completed application
For residents of Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia:
The South African Consulate General in New York City
Attention: Home Affairs Section
333 East 38th Street, 9th Floor
New York NY 10016
Tel: (212) 213-4880
Fax: (212) 856-1575
Email: consulate.ny@foreign.gov.za
Website:http://www.southafrica-newyork.net
For residents of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin:
The South African Consulate General in Chicago
Attention: Home Affairs Section
200 South Michigan Avenue, 6th Floor
Chicago IL 60604
Tel. (312) 939-6517
Fax: (312) 939-2588
Email: sacgconsular@sacg.xohost.com
Website: www.southafricachicago.com
For residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming:
The South African Consulate General in Los Angeles
Attention: Home Affairs Section
6300 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Tel. (323) 651-0902
Fax: (323) 651-5969
Email: info.losangeles@foreign.gov.za
Website: www.link2southafrica.com
For residents of Alabama, District of Colombia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands:
The South African Embassy in Washington, DC
Attention: Home Affairs Section
3051 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 232-4400
Fax: (202) 244-9417
Email: consular.wa@foreign.gov.za
Website: http://www.saembassy.org
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Questions?
For assistance with this process, please contact your program manager, Traci Chupik, at 1-866-927-2234.
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