SA Migration International

News Articles

Foreign students urged to renew study visas

Source: Cape Argus, 07/10/2016

Cape Town - Foreign students at UCT have raised concerns about the
possible impact of the shutdown of academic activities, which could
extend the academic year beyond the expiry dates of their
visas.

All UCT campuses are closed until Friday after disruptions escalated
earlier this week.

The university had already lost two weeks of the academic programme
when it re-opened on Monday, but disruptions continued.

Last week, vice-chancellor Dr Max Price warned that if the shutdown
went beyond a third week, the university might not be able to complete
the academic programme this year and that this would have serious
consequences.

On Thursday, university spokeswoman Patricia Lucas said UCT had 5 278
international students - 2 538 of whom were postgraduate students and
2 740 undergraduate students.

"UCT has issued a strong call to those international full-degree
students who need to extend their study visas in order to continue
studies at UCT next year, to immediately begin work on their renewal
application. We have provided all the information they need for the
study visa extension process online."

She said UCT had also lobbied Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba
to authorise an extension for international students whose study visas
would have expired before they would have completed their
examinations, given the need for an extension of the academic
programme.

A similar extension was granted by the Gigaba last year following
student protest action over rising fees.

"UCT is also lobbying the Department of Home Affairs through the
International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) for this
extension to be granted. We are following up closely with the office
of the minister and IEASA and will provide an update to students once
it is received.

Student Representative Council chairman Rorisang Moseli said the SRC
had received many questions from international students who had
concerns about their visas and the international students chairman had
liaised with the minister.

Search

Latest News

... Read more...
... Read more...
... Read more...
... Read more...

If you are visiting SA or already here on a visa, take this as a public-interest warning. In 2025, a quiet, but sharp, shift has taken hold inside parts of home affairs adjudication ranks: applications are being refused almost mechanically if they were not submitted at least 60 days before visa expiry.A wave of refusals repeating near-identical wording:The applicant did not submit his/her application no less than 60 days prior to the expiry date of his/her.

The rigid application of this rule, devoid of consideration for mitigating circumstances, raises serious concerns about the fairness and legality of such administrative decisions.

... Read more...

... Read more...
... Read more...
... Read more...
... Read more...
... Read more...