The Requirements for a Visa

For a visit / period of stay exceeding ninety (90) days, in the case of a prescribed unpaid internship (“Onbetaalde Stage”), an exchange permit may be issued to a foreign student, to conduct an internship at a South African company / institution – the following documentation is required for such applications:

• A letter from the applicant’s higher educational institution abroad in English (or accompanied by a sworn English translation) confirming that the applicant is a student and for his or her course of studies a compulsory internship is prescribed (i.e. work experience forms part of studies) and also confirming the place and duration of the internship.
• A letter from the South African company/institution confirming the duration of the internship, its relationship to the agreement/programme of the education institution and the work-related activities to be conducted by the student intern.
• A declaration from the applicant in English that he or she will not engage in any form of remunerated or non-remunerated work other than that covered in the letter from the company/institution.
• A duly completed permit application Form BI-1738.
• Valid Passport (a passport valid for no less than thirty (30) days after departure from the Republic of South Africa, and containing at least two (2) blank pages for endorsements.
• Non-Dutch passports must contain a valid long term or permanent residence permit for the Netherlands.
• Two original recent identical photographs.
• Proof of sufficient funds by means of bank statements 3 months back to prove that the applicant can cover envisaged living expenses during sojourn in South Africa.
• Police Clearance certificate in respect of each country the applicant lived in for 12 months or longer since the age of 18 years: so-called “Verklaring omtrent het gedrag”. (A letter of request must be obtained at the Consulate and presented at your Town Hall).
• Flight reservations – the dates must correspond with the dates of the duration on the letters from the applicant’s higher educational institution AND the company where the internship will take place.
• Medical report (BI-811) and Radiological report (BI-806).
• The host organization/institution in South Africa should provide proof that they are responsible for the student/intern and guarantee the repatriation of the student/intern. If not, a repatriation guarantee in the amount of € 750 (Euro) should be paid.
• Proof of medical cover confirming area of coverage and period of validity in South Africa.
• Non-refundable processing fee (banknotes only): 50 Euro.
• EU nationals who are exempt from Dutch residence permit conditions to provide proof of residence registration by obtaining an International Basic Administration of Personal Details Extract (“Uitreksel van Gemeentelijk Basis Adminstratie”) from your local Town Hall (Gemeente).
• The organ of state or learning institution that has organized or is administering the programme of cultural, economic or social exchange shall report to the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs on the stages and the completion of the relevant programme in the prescribed manner.