Johannesburg Polytechnic International Student Information

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Johannesburg Polytechnic International Student Information

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Information for Prospective International Student:
We are always excited when we receive new international students at our institution, however in recent years, the Department of Home Affairs has noted an abuse of the Provisional Letters of Admission where prospective students receive student permits but do not attend their courses, and the senate has decided to review the rules and regulations governing issuance of admission letters.
With the new immigration regulations, there has been fundamental changes on the onus of the Polytechnic in lieu of reporting and documentation of International students.
As from 1st April 2014 all international students must hold a valid student visa for Johannesburg Polytechnic.

 Introduction
For the purpose of registration and study in Johannesburg Polytechnic, we define an International Student as a student who comes from a foreign country which requires a study permit to study in the Republic of South Africa.
As such the following are not International Students:

  • A Citizen of South Africa with a Green ID Book or Smart Card
  • A permanent resident with a Green ID Book or Smart Card
  • A recognized refugee with a red ID card or with a Section 24 Permit
  • An Asylum Seeker with a Section 22 Permit

All other nationalities must have a valid student visa to study at Johannesburg Polytechnic.

 Student Visa
Study Visas
An applicant who is not a South African citizen or who does not have South African residence status (PR/Asylum Seeker/Refugee) must have a study visa to enter South Africa for the purpose of attending a course of study at the Polytechnic. The Polytechnic is not permitted by the Department of Home Affairs to admit and teach an applicant until a study visa is produced.
As it may take several months to obtain a study visa, international students are advised to apply as early as possible. Remember it is your obligation to get the study visa before you commit yourself to enroll with us, the only obligation we have is to issue you with a letter of provisional admission.
Acceptance by the Polytechnic OR FEES PAYMENT of an applicant does not bind the Department of Home Affairs OR the consular in a South African Embassy or High Commission in any way to grant permission to enter the country, to grant a study permit or to allow him/her to reside in South Africa. The Polytechnic does not undertake to obtain a permit for an applicant. If you need to make further enquiries, they should be addressed to the nearest South African Embassy or one of the Regional Offices of the Department of Home Affairs. The International Office provides the necessary information to returning students with renewals.
How and when to apply
You are required to apply for a study permit at the South African High Commission (Commonwealth countries), Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission in your country of origin. If there is no South African representative in your country, you must apply to the South African High Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission nearest to your home country.
Applications should ideally be done 2 months prior to your date you intend to come for study so that the consulate will have enough time to process it. Extensions can be done in the Republic, at VFS GLOBAL Centres around the country, however you must note that you are supposed to do it 2 months before the expiry of the current student visa and if you don’t do it you might be  declared UNDESIRABLE.
If you are declared undesirable, you might be refused entry into the Republic from 1 year upto 10 years depending on how long you have overstayed your visa.
Applications for study – not student visa should be received at the college as follows:

  • 1st Semester: Before 25th January
  • 2nd Semester: Before 25th July

APPLICATIONS FOR STUDENT VISAS AT VFS GLOBAL CENTRES
You will apply online and will be given a date to submit your paper work at the reception centre. Please visit www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica for more information
Study visa  are valid for the duration of the course for which they are issued, alternatively 36 months for school and 24 months for other institutions.
As a holder of a study visa you may also apply for permission to work for the purposes of getting work experience, as part of your studies to obtain a diploma or degree by submitting:

  • An offer to do practical training
  • Consent from the educational institution
  • Proof that your are still a registered student

The Department’s consent to get practical training as part of your studies is issued free of charge provided that you are a registered student and that your study visa remains valid for the entire duration of the training period.
Alternatively, as a foreigner studying at a higher educational institution with a valid study visa, you may work part-time for no more than 20 hours per week. However, you may not work during academic vacations.
The overriding consideration in processing applications for study permits are that:

  • No foreigner may displace a South African citizen/resident at a local educational institution
  • The student must have proof of sufficient funds to pay for day-to-day living expenses, accommodation as well as tuition fees during his/her stay in South Africa
  • The student must have adequate medical cover with a registered South African medical scheme and proof thereof

APPLICATION FEES (VFS GLOBAL)

Category Department of Home Affairs Application Fee VFS Service Fee
Study Visa R 425.00 R 1350.00
Study Visa (South African Parent) R 0.00 R 1350.00
Photocopy (Optional Service) R 1.00 (per copy)
Premium Lounge (Optional Service)  R 500.00
SMS (Optional Service)  R 20.00
Internet Kiosk (Optional Service) Available in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban 100

All fees are inclusive of VAT and to be paid in South African Rand. Above listed fees are non-refundable once the application is received by VFS Global and Department of Home Affairs.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

  • Duly completed online form. Handwritten forms will not be accepted by Department of Home Affairs.
  • Applicants are requested to get original documents for verification while submitting photocopies for any visa / permit category
  • Original passport
  • Copies of passport and previous visas
  • Original Bank payment / Electronic Fund Transfer receipt for each applicant
  • Original and Copy of Bank Receipt per applicant in case of Repatriation / Bank Guarantee paid in Department of Home Affairs Account
  • Appointment Letter
  • Passport valid for no less than 30 calendar days after expiry of the intended visit.
  • A medical report.
  • A radiological report.
  • Unabridged birth certificate.
  • Police clearance certificates in respect of applicants 18 years and older, in respect of all countries where person resided one year or longer since having attained the age of 18.
  • A vaccination certificate, if required by the Act.
  • In the case of a minor (i.e. a person under 18):
    • the particulars of the person, including a juristic person, residing in the Republic, who is, or has accepted to act as such learner’s guardian, including a confirmatory letter from that guardian; and
    • written consent for the intended stay from both parents or from the custodian parent, along with proof of sole custody in the latter case..
  • In the case of a foreign state accepting responsibility for the applicant in terms of a bilateral agreement, a written undertaking from such foreign state to pay for the departure of the applicant.
  • Proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act, 1998 (Act No 131 of 1998).
  • Proof of sufficient financial means- Bank Statements with at least R5000.00 Balance for upkeep

Johannesburg Polytechnic will provide you with:

  • An official letter from the relevant institution confirming provisional acceptance at that institution and the duration of the course.
  • An undertaking by the registrar of the learning institution to provide proof of registration of the learning institution as contemplated in the relevant legislation.
  • An undertaking by the registrar of the learning institution to submit to the Director-General a report on students who are no longer registered with such institution and a notification when the student has completed his or her studies or wishes to extend such studies.

In respect of the renewal of a study visa:

  • An official letter from the relevant institution confirming continued studies at that institution and the duration of the course.
  • Proof of registration of the learning institution as contemplated in the relevant legislation.
  • An undertaking by the registrar of the learning institution to submit to the Director-General a report on students who are no longer registered with such institution and a notification when the student has completed his or her studies.
  • In the case of a minor (i.e. a person under 18):
    • the particulars of the person, including a juristic person, residing in the Republic, who is, or has accepted to act as such learner’s guardian, including a confirmatory letter from that guardian; and
    • written consent for the intended stay from both parents or from the custodian parent, along with proof of sole custody in the latter case.
  • In the case of a foreign state accepting responsibility for the applicant in terms of a bilateral agreement, a written undertaking from such foreign state to pay for the departure of the applicant.
  • Proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act, 1998 (Act No 131 of 1998).
  • Proof of sufficient financial means.

PROCESSING TIME

  • All applications accepted at the Visa Facilitation Centre will have an average processing time of – 8 weeks (approximate timeline) for the decision to be returned from Department of Home Affairs. You can track your application online on VFS Global website to determine status of your application.

http://vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica/study_visa.html or call: +27124253000 or email: info.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
Block release students
These are students who attend the Polytechnic for a period of less than three months. These students may enter South Africa on a visitor’s visa and are therefore not required to obtain a study permit. Block release students are also exempted from the requirement of medical aid cover.
Lost/stolen passport
If your passport is stolen or lost on campus, you are advised to report the incidence to the admissions office. You also need to report this to the police station in order to get an affidavit. The International Office will then issue the student with a copy of the passport (the page containing your personal details and passport number) and a copy of the study permit. You then proceed to your embassy to apply for a new passport. You will also need to go to Home Affairs through a VFS Global Visa reception centre to have a study visa endorsement. Please note that due to high incidences of lost documents, we require that you deposit a certified copy of your study permit endorsed on your passport before you resume classes. This is to enable us help you in case you lose your passport. Students should also not carry their passports around, you are advised to make a certified copy of your Passport at the nearest Police Station and keep the documents at your residence. Only walk with certified documents and student card, just in case the police might require them.
Passport renewals
Passport renewals are done at the embassies of your home country in South Africa. Most embassies are represented and a full directory is available from International office.

 Courses Requiring student Visa

All courses requiring more than 3 months of study requires a student visa. However we DO NOT give letters of admission for short courses to individual students not unless they are being seconded by a company abroad. This is to avoid students who come for short courses only to overstay their visas.
CONDITIONS OF ISSUING A PROVISIONAL LETTER OF ADMISSION TO PROSPECTIVE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA.
Currently the Johannesburg Polytechnic will only issue letters of admission to prospective students outside of South Africa intending to do any one of the following courses:

  • CAT /FIA Full Qualification (Must register for all the 9 Modules and pay for all 9 modules upfront)
  • CIMA-Full Qualification (Must register for at least 9 modules and pay for at least 9  modules upfront)
  • ACCA Professional Scheme (Must Register for at least 9 Modules and pay for at least 9 Modules upfront.)
  • MICT- Full Qualifications only for the duration of 1 year.

A letter of admission will NOT be ISSUED where a prospective student is coming to undertake one, two or three modules in one full year whilst he/she is outside the republic.
CONDITIONS OF ISSUING A PROVISIONAL LETTER OF ADMISSION TO PROSPECTIVE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INSIDE SOUTH AFRICA
The above conditions do not apply for students who are already in the republic and have a valid work permit. In this case a Part-time student permit SHOULD be applied from the department of home affairs provided the student has a valid Work Permit. Under no circumstances will Johannesburg Polytechnic issue a letter of admission without prove that the student is working validly in the republic.
This may entail production of an original valid working permit as endorsed in the passport as well as a letter from the employer.
Prospective students holding a Temporary Resident Permit of 3 Months and below and would like to apply for a study visa MUST ALSO pay tuition fees for at least 9 modules in advance before such a letter is issued. This money is refundable in event that a permit is denied by the relevant authority (Consular service at a High Commission/Embassy or at the Department of Home Affairs while in the republic) Please refer to Regulations 12-19 on the Registration form for information regarding refunds.
Please note that you must provide a valid passport number during registration as it is the one we use to determine whether a permit was given or not in case you decide to have a refund. Under no other circumstances will we refund tuition fees whatsoever. Please note that Application/Registration Processing Fees are not refundable under any circumstances.

Refugees and Asylum seekers
A refugee is a foreign national who has refugee status accorded by the UNHCR, has a South African identity book which is stamped as refugee status, and is valid for 2 years until permanent status is awarded. If not, accorded status reverts to ‘asylum seeker’. The Refugees Act, Act No. 130 of 1998 (Section 27) provides refugee students the right to study without a study permit.
A person is classified as an asylum seeker in South Africa if in possession of a valid permit issued under the Immigration Act, Section 22
Tuition fees are similar to local South African students and they pay local application fees. No medical aid cover is required.  NB: Registered students are required to update their records with the International Office each time they renew their permit.
 Practical training permitAlthough not many of our courses require this permit, you might consider it, it is a visa issued with a study visa enabling a student to work towards the completion of his/her Diploma/Certificate/qualification. The work must be study related to your discipline of choice. No other work is allowed. A student on a practical training visa may not be paid in any way at all. The visa is obtainable when applying for the initial study visa. The Faculty needs to provide you with a letter indicating that you will be required to work towards the completion of your diploma/certificate in order for you to be issued with this visa. Please note that there is a fee payable to obtain a study visa.
Medical Aid Cover in South Africa
In terms of the Immigration Amendment Act 19 of 2004 any prospective student to the Republic of South Africa, must provide proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act, 1998 Act 131 of 1998. Although some insurance products are accepted to secure a study visa, be they South African or other wise, the Johannesburg Polytechnic recommends that a student takes Medical Aid products. This is to ensure that you are protected should anything happen to you whilst you are in the college.
To comply with the regulations, the Polytechnic recommends a South African based medical aid scheme for the full calendar year, until 31 December of that year. Such cover may cover the minimum of hospitalization, emergencies and day-to-day cover including medicine, doctor’s visits. Please note that short based courses of less than three months DO NOT require a study permit neither do they require medical aid cover.
It is thus advisable to make the necessary financial arrangements for the medical aid cover prior to your entry into South Africa. Should you rely on sponsorship, please ensure that you advise your sponsor of this requirement as soon as you get sponsorship or acceptance. It is not sufficient for any student to produce a letter indicating medical cover sponsorship. The sponsor must organize payment for the required medical aid cover directly to the Medical Aid Company, separate to that of the tuition fees.
For more details about all Medical Aid providers in South Africa, contact:
SA Medical Scheme

Ingwe Health Prime-cure (Recommended by Johannesburg Polytechnic for international students)

Buphe Premier Healthcare Solutions

Medical Aid Cover in South Africa
In terms of the Immigration Amendment Act 19 of 2004 any prospective student to the Republic of South Africa, must provide proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act, 1998 Act 131 of 1998. Although some insurance products are accepted to secure a study visa, be they South African or other wise, the Johannesburg Polytechnic recommends that a student takes Medical Aid products. This is to ensure that you are protected should anything happen to you whilst you are in the college.
To comply with the regulations, the Polytechnic recommends a South African based medical aid scheme for the full calendar year, until 31 December of that year. Such cover may cover the minimum of hospitalization, emergencies and day-to-day cover including medicine, doctor’s visits. Please note that short based courses of less than three months DO NOT require a study permit neither do they require medical aid cover.
It is thus advisable to make the necessary financial arrangements for the medical aid cover prior to your entry into South Africa. Should you rely on sponsorship, please ensure that you advise your sponsor of this requirement as soon as you get sponsorship or acceptance. It is not sufficient for any student to produce a letter indicating medical cover sponsorship. The sponsor must organize payment for the required medical aid cover directly to the Medical Aid Company, separate to that of the tuition fees.
For more details about all Medical Aid providers in South Africa, contact:
SA Medical Scheme

Ingwe Health Prime-cure (Recommended by Johannesburg Polytechnic for international students)

Buphe Premier Healthcare Solutions

Student Accommodation
Johannesburg Polytechnic does not have own accommodation for students. However we make arrangements for students who have no accommodation if contacted well in advance. The student will pay all the requisite amount plus R300.00 for the college to seek an accommodation. This fee is not refundable should the student feel that the accommodation is not suitable for them. Please note that we only deal with reputable agents to get accommodation for our students. Since 2000, South Africa and Johannesburg City has seen tremendous increase of students seeking accommodation. Braamfontein is the student centre, a clean place where life revolves around student life. You will be happy if you can find accommodation in Braamfontein, for one thing you won’t have to take any transport to and from school. Braamfontein is a walking distance to the college.
There are several agents who will help you to get accommodation in Braamfontein, however be ready to pay a deposit and sign a lease for at least one year. If you wouldn’t mind telecommuting, there are several accommodations which are outside the CBD, these includes areas like Yeoville, Hillbrow (But take caution if you are new in Johannesburg) and Berea. All the same accommodation ranges from R1500.00-R2800.00 per month per person. Sometimes it is advisable for you to come in advance and seek accommodation before resuming your classes.
All accommodation for rent requires a deposit equivalent to 3 months rental, so a typical deposit will range from R4000.00 to R8000.00 depending on the accommodation. Most of the accommodation agents provide a bed, (no beddings) a reading desk, a chair and in some buildings broadband internet is available (but you have to pay a monthly fee). Single or bachelor flats are generally preferable but they are also expensive. So plan your finances well in advance to avoid taking expensive flats only to regret later.
Entertainment in form of a common TV room is available as well as a common kitchen which is shared amongst the students. You might also find that you share this accommodation with other students from different colleges and universities. Please note that it is very important that you get accommodation with a reputable agency so that things like proof of residence (water bill, electricity bill or Telkom account) giving a proof of where you are staying and mostly needed by banks (for FICA purposes) to open student accounts will not be a problem.
Below find some of the agents and their websites where you can find affordable accommodation.

South Point Management Services
Web: http://www.spms.co.za; or www.staysouthpoint.co.za (Recommended by Johannesburg Polytechnic)
Email: egray@spms.co.za
Office: +27 11 489 1900

Young Women Christian Association
128 De Korte Street, Braamfontein
Office: +27 11 403 3830

 Dunwell Properties
Jorrisen Street Cnr De Beers Street Braamfontein
Office: +27 11 403 8707

Prospective International Students Denied Permit: Incase a Prospective student permit has been denied by the relevant authority i.e. department of home affairs in South Africa or South African Consular services in your country, a full REFUND  will be given less the following:

  • Banking Charges – for transmission to your bank account
  • Registration Fee = R1000.00
  • 35% Course Cancellation Fee

The student must fill a course cancellation / deferment form within 30 days (1 MONTH) of such refusal giving us the circumstances for cancellation, a copy of the passport showing a stamp for denial should be attached.
Please note that it will take 3 Months for processing refunds since we have to investigate whether you applied for a student permit and you were refused at the relevant department. Please note that in case you are found that you have already been issued with a student permit, you will FORFEIT all the fees paid and we will also forward your cancellation to the consulate or department of home affairs for cancellation of the permit. Cancellations after 30 days upon refusal will not be accepted and the student will FORFEIT all the fees.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHEN REGISTERING AT JOHANNESBURG POLYTECHNIC

  1. Copy of ID Documents/Refugee/Asylum Seekers Permit /Passport
  2. Copy of ACCA/CIMA/ICB/ ICSA/IMM Registration Number if already registered or any proof of registration with the professional body as a student. If not registered kindly request for assistance from our registration office.
  3. Copies of relevant academic transcripts (e.g. Matric Certificate/High School/University Certificates and Transcripts)
  4. Fully filled registration form
  5. Registration fee of R1000.00
  6. Tuition Fees Payments for the number of Papers selected