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International PDRFs

Visa Information

The information below should assist you in obtaining the necessary visa for entry into South Africa. It is recommended that the visa is secured before you resign from your current position or make expensive travel arrangements. It is unlikely, but long delays may make it impossible for you to take up the Fellowship offer.

The information provided below should be sufficient for you to secure the appropriate visa, but you can find further information about visa applications at: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/apply-for-a-south-african-visa

Type of Visa

IMPORTANT: As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow you should apply for a Visitors Visa Section 11 (1)(B) (iii) endorsed “for postdoctoral research at the University of Witwatersrand”.

Where to apply

You should apply at the nearest South African diplomatic or consular representative in your country. For details of your nearest consular representative, please visit www.dfa.gov.za/webmissions/index.html.

Applicants living in countries where South Africa is not represented may apply to the Director-General: Home Affairs, Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa. The appropriate website is www.dha.gov.za.

What documents are needed when applying

To apply for the visitor’s visa a copy of the formal invitation letter offering you the Fellowship is required together with:

  1. The visa application form is available online from vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica/visitor-visa-section-3.html (Handwritten forms will not be accepted by the Department of Home Affairs);
  2. A passport, valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit;
  3. Statement and/or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of your visit – your letter of invitation will be sufficient;
  4. Original medical certificate: form BI-811 (obtainable from the embassy);
  5. A yellow-fever vaccination certificate (if required);
  6. Original radiological report: form BI-806 (obtainable from the embassy);
  7. Police clearance certificate(s), not older than six months at the time of submission, in respect of each country in which the applicant resided since the age of 18 years and lived in for 12 months or longer, or a written undertaking with receipt(s) attached thereto;
  8. Proof of sufficient financial means (i.e. the cost of the Fellowship as indicated in the letter of invitation from Wits);
  9. A letter from the University explaining that it will cover the cost of your return air ticket in the UNLIKELY case of your repatriation (this is sent to you with your letter of invitation);
  10. Two colour passport photographs;
  11. Prescribed fee normally in cash (obtainable from the embassy).

CAUTION: You are advised to confirm with the consular representative that these are all the current requirements, as regulations do change from time to time and embassy to embassy.

Please confirm with the Consular representative in your country the turnaround time of processing a visa application as it varies from country to country.

Visa for your Spouse and Family

Should you wish to bring your spouse and family with you, you should apply simultaneously for an accompanying spousal visa as prescribed by the South African Embassy. The University is not allowed to provide letters of invitation for spouses that are not also taking up Postdoctoral Fellowships.

Current Work Permits

Postdoctoral Fellows with current work permits are required to get the work permit endorsed to carryout postdoctoral research concurrently at Wits. In some cases, Fellows are issued with an Exceptional Skills work permit, with the endorsement to carry out research at Wits. In such cases, the Wits offer of a Fellowship should include a statement that the research is aligned to the work the Fellow will be doing.

Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office

Should it be necessary, the Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office provides further support to international Postdoctoral Fellows. The office can provide advice and assistance on immigration matters aimed at dealing with exceptional circumstances.

The Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office is located on the Ground Floor, Solomon Mahlangu House Braamfontein East campus and can be contacted at Telephone: +27 (0) 11 717 1054; Fax: +27 (0) 11 717 1059 or E-mail: studysa.international@wits.ac.za.

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