PhD Programmes

International students normally need the appropriate South African study visa before travel for a full programme. Current official guidance points applicants to DHA-1738, an admission letter, financial means, medical cover and other supporting documents. The exact checklist, submission route, currency, fee and timing depend on the mission or application centre serving the applicant. A provider's DHET status does not itself guarantee visa approval.

Completed current DHA-1738 form

Passport meeting the current validity and blank-page rules

Official admission or provisional-acceptance letter

Proof of tuition and living-cost funds

Proof of qualifying South African medical cover

Medical and radiological reports where required

Police-clearance evidence where required

Birth, consent and guardian documents for minors

Proof of payment and mission-specific photographs or biometrics

Return-ticket deposit or undertaking where the current checklist requires it

Processing time: No single guaranteed national processing time applies to every South African mission. Use the responsible mission's current published estimate and submit early enough for document, biometric or additional-evidence requests.

Visa fee: Initial application fees and service charges vary by mission and country. For domestic renewals, UCT reports R425 plus a R1,750 VFS service fee effective 22 June 2026; recheck both before payment.