Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

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

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.

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.