South Africa Exchange Visa Checklist

The Exchange Visa is for people aged no more than 25 taking part in a cultural, economic or social exchange programme run by a South African state department or public higher education institution together with a foreign state department. Based on the official guidance (dha.gov.za), September 2026.

Who it is for

• People aged 25 or under in a cultural, economic or social exchange programme administered by a South African state department or public higher education institution together with a foreign state department.
• Or people under 25 who have an offer of work of no more than one year.
• Apply at any DHA regional office or the nearest South African mission.

Duration

• Depends on the length of the programme, usually no more than 12 months.
• Cannot be renewed or extended.
• After it ends you must live outside South Africa for at least 12 months before applying for a temporary residence permit.

Core documents

• Completed and signed application form.
• Original passport plus a copy certified by the issuing authority, with a valid endorsement showing current status; valid for at least 30 days beyond the intended departure date.
• Apply in person, not earlier than 60 days before the current visa expires (within 7 working days if the current visa has less than 30 days).
• Medical report, not older than 6 months.
• Police clearance from countries where you lived more than 12 months in the past 5 years, issued within 6 months.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate where applicable.
• Family documents where applicable (marriage or customary marriage, spousal relationship, divorce decree, custody order, death certificate, parental consent or sole guardianship, adoption certificate, separation order).
• Proof of payment of the applicable fee.

Study / institution route — additional

• A valid return ticket, or a written undertaking by a state department or learning institution to cover return or repatriation costs.
• Proof of South African-registered medical cover for the whole exchange period.
• Confirmation from the DBE/DHET or the South African learning institution that it organises or manages the programme (activities, terms and duration, full responsibility for the student).
• The foreign institution confirming the applicant's details, enrolment and the programme start date.

Under-25 work offer route — additional

• A return ticket, or an employer's written undertaking to cover return or repatriation costs.
• Proof of South African-registered medical cover for the exchange period.
• The employer's written undertaking: to pay compliant remuneration, provide benefits and needs, and report non-compliance or failure to leave on time to the Director-General.

Not published

The specific application fee and the exact form of evidence for verifying the under-25 age are not published on the page used here, so neither is asserted here. The official page is organised as core requirements plus two “in addition” branches; keep the applicable branch clear.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Exchange Visa for?
Foreign nationals aged no more than 25 taking part in a cultural, economic or social exchange programme administered by a South African state department or public higher education institution together with a foreign state department, or those under 25 with an offer of work of no more than one year.

How long is it valid?
It depends on the length of the programme, usually no more than 12 months, and it cannot be renewed or extended.

What must I do after it ends?
You must live outside South Africa for at least 12 months before you can apply for a temporary residence permit.

Where do I apply?
At any DHA regional office or the nearest South African mission.

What extra documents does the study-institution route need?
A valid return ticket or a written undertaking by a state department or learning institution to cover return or repatriation costs, proof of South African-registered medical cover for the exchange period, and confirmation from the organising institution.

What is not published?
The specific application fee and the exact form of evidence for verifying the under-25 age are not published on the page used here, so neither is asserted here.

Related: the the South Africa Business Visa checklist, document translation and copies, and the checklists hub.

Source: Department of Home Affairs, South Africa (dha.gov.za), "Types of visas" — retrieved 2026-09-29. Requirements change, so confirm the current position on the official page before you apply.