south african books English Language Schools

Good news for International English Language learners

EduSA recently settled a lawsuit, which will allow foreign nationals to gain study visas to study English as a foreign language at their member institutions in South Africa. Background As of May 2014, English Language Training (ELT) have struggled with not being formally recognised as learning institutions in South Africa and therefore international students have […]

New Zealand to require visas to visit SA

New Zealanders will now require visas to Visit SA

In response to New Zealand withdrawing visa free travel for South Africans, South African Minister of Home Affairs announces a withdrawal of visa free travel for New Zealand Passport holders. New Zealand Withdraws In 1996, visa-free travel was implemented for all South African passport holders wishing to visit New Zealand for up to three months. […]

Closing Dates For VFS Centres over the Festive Season

Closing Dates For VFS Centres over the Festive Season

VFS Global has announced the closing dates for their South African application centres over the festive season. The last day for submissions will be on the 21st of December 2016. Thereafter, they will be open for collections only on the 22nd and the 23rd of December 2016. They will be closed over the following public […]

DHA increases airport staff for the 2016/17 festive season

Minister Malusi Gigaba announces plans that the government has put in place to deal with the large capacity of people entering the country over the festive season. In a media briefing that took place at the O.R Tambo Airport on 8 December, Malusi Gigaba discussed the mandate for facilitation of travellers during the 2016/17 festive […]

British passport

South African visa requirements updated for all UK majors

As posted on the VFS United Kingdom application site for South African visas, “A financial undertaking or support by a foreigner (parents/ spouse of an applicant who is not a South African citizen) is no longer recognized in terms of the South African Immigration Regulations.” All applicants, aged 18 and older, applying for a visitor’s […]

VFS Zimbabwe opening

VFS application centre to open in Zimbabwe

VFS application centres to open in Harare and Bulawayo on 1 December 2016. These application centres will accept applications and documentation on behalf of the South African Missions. The trading hours of the application centres will run from Monday to Friday for 8:00 am to 12:00 and 13:00 to 15:00. These VFS centres will close […]

Mos Def apologises and leaves South Africa

Yasiin Bey, also known as Mos Def, a US rapper and actor apologises and leaves South Africa after contravening the South African Immigration Act earlier this year. DHA held a media briefing on Tuesday, 22 November 2016, to announce the developments. When he attempted to leave the country at the Cape Town International Airport earlier […]

Uk Flag in the shape of South Africa

Closing dates for South African Visa Application centres in the UK

If you’re a UK citizen who is looking to travel abroad and considering South Africa as the destination then this announcement applies to you. If you’re currently preparing to submit your visa application to any of the centres around the UK you should take note. Please note the following closing dates for the South African […]

South African study visa

International Students given a blanket extension due to protests

All international students affected by the current student protests with South African study visas, issued for tertiary studies, expiring on or before 31 December 2016 have been given a blanket extension on their visa with a conditional date of 31 March 2017. After receiving representations from tertiary institutions and stakeholders about the matter, the Home […]

Department of Home Affairs investigated by Carte Blanche

Department of Home Affairs investigated by Carte Blanche

Visa woes in spotlight Carte Blanche, the popular investigative journalism program, has aired a scathing report of the Department of Home Affairs. It does not make for easy watching. The report, titled “Visa Vitriol”, explores the appointment and role of Visa Facilitation Service(VFS), the bungling and delays foreigners experience during visa applications and the extraordinary […]