South African Exchange Programme Visa

The Exchange Programme Visa enables individuals to take part in recognised academic, cultural, or professional exchange initiatives in South Africa. These programmes are created through formal agreements between South African institutions and their international counterparts and are endorsed by the Department of Home Affairs. Applicants can reside in South Africa for the duration of their approved programme, fostering knowledge exchange, cross-cultural collaboration, and professional growth.

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Full Name(Required)

Contact Number

Email Address(Required)

Please select the visa category you require assistance with:(Required)

How old is the child?(Required)

Does the child's parent/ guardian have valid status within South Africa?(Required)

What is your marital status?(Required)

What is the status of your spouse?(Required)

What is the number of foreign nationals you are looking to employ?(Required)

CS - Do you currently have a formal offer of employment from a registered South African company?(Required)

CS - What is your highest level of Education?(Required)

CS - What is your expected annual income for the position you have been offered?(Required)

CS - How many years of work experience do you have?(Required)

CS - Is your prospective employer a member of the Trusted Employer Scheme?(Required)

* Trusted Employers who have received this status form the DHA often meet the following criteria: - Have invested more than R100 million into the South African Economy - Employ more than 150 staff

CS - In which country did you complete your highest qualification(Required)

CS - What position have you been offered(Required)

CS - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

GWV - What is your highest level of education?(Required)

GWV - In order to qualify for a General Work Visa, you must have an offer of employment from a South African employer. What is your expected annual income for the position you have been offered?(Required)

GWV - How many years of work experience do you have?(Required)

GWV - Is your prospective employer a member of the Trusted Employer Scheme?(Required)

* Trusted Employers who have received this status form the DHA often meet the following criteria: - Have invested more than R100 million into the South African Economy - Employ more than 150 staff

GWV - Are you proficient in one of South Africa's 11 official languages?(Required)

ICT - Are you being sent on a secondment or assignment to South Africa?(Required)

ICT - Have you been employed in your current position for longer than 6 months?(Required)

ICT - What is the expected duration of your secondment/ assignment?(Required)

RV - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

RV - What is the expiry date of your current visa(Required)

RV - Are you currently residing in South Africa?(Required)

RV - Do you have an offer of employment from a South African employer?(Required)

RWV - Are you currently employed by a foreign entity outside of South Africa?(Required)

RWV - Do you earn an annual salary exceeding R650,000? (UDS $37,000 / EUR 33,000)(Required)

RPV - Do you have a monthly irrevocable income of at least R37,000? (*add)(Required)

RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least R1.8 million?(Required)

RPV - Do you intend on working part time or conducting business while in South Africa?(Required)

RPV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

STWA - What is the duration of your assignment in South Africa?(Required)

STWA - Does your current employer support your work in South Africa?(Required)

SV - Do you have an enrollment letter from a recognized learning institution?(Required)

SV - What level of education will you be completing in South Africa?(Required)

VV - What is your intention in South Africa?(Required)

VV - What is you intended duration of stay in South Africa?(Required)

RNW - What visa do you currently hold?(Required)

Please specify other(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current visa(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current Critical Skills Work Visa?(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current Intra Company Transfer Work Visa?(Required)

PR - What Visa do you currently hold for South Africa?(Required)

PR - Have you received a permanent offer of employment?(Required)

PR - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_CS - What is the expiry date of your current Critical Skills Work Visa?(Required)

PR_CS - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_GWV - What is the expiry date of your current General Work Visa?(Required)

PR_GWV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_GWV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_ICT - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_ICT - Have you been offered Permanent employment by a South African employer?(Required)

PR_RV - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

PR_RV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_RV - Have you maintained your relationship with your South African partner/ South African PR holder?(Required)

PR_RV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_RPV - Do you receive an irrevocable income of at least R37,000 per month (Rental income, dividends, interest, pension, ect )(Required)

PR_RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least ZAR 1,8 million(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - Have you maintained your relationship with your South African partner/ South African PR holder?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

RV - What is the duration of your relationship?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - What is the duration of your relationship?(Required)

Do you have an offer of employment from a South African employer?(Required)

RPV - Do you have a monthly irrevocable income of at least R37,000?(Required)

RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least R2.4 million?(Required)

RPV - Do you intend on working part time or conducting business while in South Africa?(Required)

RPV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

Are you being sent on a secondment or assignment to South Africa?(Required)

PR - Do you have direct family members that are South African Citizens or Permanent Residence holders?(Required)

BV - Do you intend to establish or invest in a business in South Africa?(Required)

What type of business do you intend to operate or invest in?(Required)

BV - Are you able to invest a minimum of R5 million into the South African economy?(Required)

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GWV - Total Points(Required)

Country(Required)

Important Notice: Applications are accepted only from the countries listed below.

Please select the Visa Type you need to verify:(Required)

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This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Benefits of the Exchange Programme Visa

Experience cultural and academic immersion in South Africa

Gain valuable international and professional development

Stay legally for the full duration of your approved programme

Build global networks and collaborative opportunities

Exchange Programme Visa Requirements

Requirements depend on whether your programme is:

Run by a South African learning institution with a foreign counterpart

Organised by a South African organ of state

For employment purposes under a state-sponsored exchange

Programmes run by South African learning institutions in conjunction with foreign counterparts (Section 22(a))

If you are joining a study or cultural programme organised between a South African learning institution and a foreign counterpart, you’ll need to provide proof of enrolment, medical cover, and financial means. The required documents include:

Completed application form BI-1738

Valid passport (at least 30 days after intended stay)

Payment of the prescribed fee

Vaccination certificate (if required)

Proof of financial means (bank statements, available cash, or travellers’ cheques)

Undertaking(s) by host(s) in South Africa

Proof of medical cover

A return ticket or written undertaking from the institution covering deportation costs

Medical certificate
Police clearance certificates from all countries lived in for the last 5 years for 12 consecutive months since age 18
Letter from the South African Department of Education or higher institution confirming programme details, duration, and responsibility for the student
Letter from the foreign organ of state confirming student’s details, registration abroad, and start date of studies

Report from a South African organ of state or learning institution (per Regulation 19(3))

Programmes administered or organised by a South African organ of state (Section 22(a))

Completed application form BI-1738

Valid passport (at least 30 days after intended stay)

Payment of prescribed fee

Vaccination certificate (if required)

Proof of financial means (bank statements, available cash, or travellers’ cheques)

Undertaking(s) by host(s) in South Africa

Proof of medical cover

Medical certificate

A return ticket or undertaking from institution to cover deportation costs

Letter from an organ of state confirming the existence and status of the exchange programme

Letter from educational institution abroad confirming enrolment, OR letter from a foreign state organ confirming participation and awareness of the exchange programme

Annual reports from sponsoring body on programme progress (or, where no sponsor exists, reports from the SA educational institution or organ of state)

Police clearance certificates from all countries lived in for the last 5 years for 12 consecutive months since age 18

Exchange permits for employment purposes (Section 22(b))

Applications must be submitted at the nearest South African embassy, mission, or consulate abroad.

If your exchange programme involves a temporary work placement in South Africa, you must provide both the standard visa documentation and additional proof from your employer regarding the role and conditions of employment. The requirements include:

Completed application form BI-1738

Valid passport (at least 30 days after intended stay)

Payment of prescribed fee

Vaccination certificate (if required by the Act)

Proof of financial means (bank statements, available cash, or travellers’ cheques)

Undertaking(s) by host(s) in South Africa

Proof of medical cover

Medical Certificate

A return ticket or undertaking by institution to cover deportation)

Police clearance certificates from all countries lived in for the last 5 years for 12 consecutive months since age 18

Statement from prospective employer confirming:

- - The position for which the exchange permit is issued exists

- - Remuneration meets South African labour standards

- - Employer will provide for the applicant’s welfare and needs during employment

- - Employer will notify the Department if the applicant breaches permit conditions or leaves South Africa

- - Applicant will depart the Republic when the permit expires

Exchange Programme Visa
Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for an Exchange Programme Visa?

Foreign nationals under the age of 25 who have been formally accepted into an approved exchange programme administered by a South African organ of state or higher education institution in collaboration with a foreign institution or government.

How long is the visa valid?

The visa is valid only for the duration of the approved exchange programme, typically up to 12 months. It cannot be renewed or extended.

Can I extend my Exchange Programme Visa?

No, extensions are generally not granted. Applicants must leave South Africa at the end of the programme.

Can I work while on this visa?

No, the Exchange Programme Visa is issued strictly for participation in the approved programme and does not permit general employment.

What happens if my programme ends early?

The visa will lapse when the programme concludes. You are required to depart South Africa immediately upon the end of your programme.

Do I need medical insurance?

Yes, proof of adequate medical coverage for the entire duration of your stay is generally required by the Department of Home Affairs.

Can my family join me on this visa?

No, family members are not automatically included. They must apply separately under the appropriate visa category if they wish to accompany you.

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For more information or to clarify your eligibility, contact Xpatweb. Our immigration specialists can help you understand the process, documentation, and programme requirements — without acting as your formal application agent.

South African Exchange Programme Visa

CONTACT US

Benefits of the Exchange Programme Visa

Experience cultural and academic immersion in South Africa

Gain valuable international and professional development

Stay legally for the full duration of your approved programme

Build global networks and collaborative opportunities

Exchange Programme Visa Requirements

Exchange Programme VisaFrequently Asked Questions

CONTACT US

Useful Tools

Exchange Programme Visa
Frequently Asked Questions