₦airaland Forum

satihel:
Good morning all
I saw this thread and was encouraged at the level of feedback and successes in visa application.

Please i need help. My husband was denied the south African visa at the Abuja office some time in January 2017. The reason of his visa reques was for a medical residency exchange program at the university of Kwazulu natal SA. We attached the relevant documents and also a letter of invitation from the school describing the details of the program.

In the rejection letter, they stated that if he attempts to re-apply, his application would not be attended to until 6 months from the date the rejection letter was issued. Unfortunately his program has started, and we had paid for his return ticket. This has made us shift his flight with its attendant cost. (very depressing). The reason for rejection were that the documents "not convincing" or credible (PS.All documents were legitimate)

My question is "can we reapply NOW despite the warning stated on the rejection letter. We had called some visa agencies and the feedback were mixed as some said nothing could be done about it until 6 months later and others said we should disregard the warning and reapply. The cost of reapplication and the possible shift in flight is really mind and pocket draining for us.

Kindly advice on what to do please.

@satihel please tell him to reapply in Lagos. Same thing happened to my friend in Abuja, coincidentally he is also a medical doctor. They denied him saying that he used fake documents despite the fact that all his documents were genuine. He reapplied in Lagos same week he was denied in Abuja and his visa came out about 4 weeks later. I hope this helps someone. Cheers!

Gbollyblaze:
Hello house,

I finally got my visa today! Praise God!.

However, i applied for critical skills and got exceptional skills - 2years.

Does anyone know why this was issued rather than the critical skills? And is it renewable?

Congrats.

Exceptional skills is the old name for critical skills permit, it's similar.

You can renew the visa when it expires, albeit, you can apply for a permanent residence immediately with the current visa you have and God willing, you can get it even before your current visa expires.

Cheers!

Keneking:
So how come some of us on the forum claim to have Work Permit with Master's Study Visa...I can not understand how they succeeded.

Study permit allows you to work 20hrs per week and not during holidays though I'm aware one must get a written permission from DHA to do that. I guess those that have work permit and doing masters probably applied for the critical skills work visa during their masters. Cheers!

TokyoBulls:
Your best bet is a knowledge transfer from biological to medical sciences and it is possible if your BSc Biochemistry grades are very tight. You need SAQA to evaluate your WASSCE certificate and BSc certificate and transcripts then you apply to an appropriate school to study Medicine. You will get some waivers having studied a biological science first degree. There are people here who will gladly guide you in the process.

That said, you must however understand that getting into medical school in SA is very competitive as there are very few medical schools in South Africa as opposed to Nigeria and they are usually very expensive. South African Indians usually send their children to medical schools abroad and then they go back to SA to write their medical licensing exam to practice in SA. Due to the limited number of medical students SA universities can take, the SA government had bilateral agreement with countries like Cuba such that South Africans can go to Cuba to study medicine and then come back to SA upon graduation to practice in public hospitals in SA without writing their licensing exam. In summary, I'll say it's cheaper to study medicine in Nigerian Public University and then go to SA to write their licensing exam to practice there but if you have the money and wherewithal, it's not impossible to get into a public university in SA to study medicine, though it may be very competitive because SA will consider South Africans and permanent residents first, the other option will be trying a private university like Monash University, they operate in SA and Australia.

Cheers!

Freshnextlevel:
can somebody pls let me know if is only tuesday the VFS accept study visa application

They don't actually accept application on Tuesdays, they verify your documents on Tuesday, you go to pay on Wednesday and then submit on Thursday. But you can only start the process on Tuesday (7:00am), it's sort of a chain reaction.

NB: It's not VFS for study permit, it's SA High Commission, VFS in Nigeria is only for short term visa to SA, however VFS handles all visa (change/renewal) applications in SA, including PR application.

Cheers!

stevetop:
People can I take agbo jedi into SA?

You can take agbo jedi, agbo inuwo, agbo awoka aromolegun, agbo konafuru, agbo iba, *smiles* so long as it is packaged and in a sealed container as though it is processed, the other option is to bring it like that but you will risk it being seized by their quarantine control team in the airport but they may not even disturb you.

Cheers!

fratermathy:
Thank you for your detailed response bro.

What other schools are tuition free or extremely cheap for PhD studies other than UKZN?

For the SAQA, will they accept university statement of results? And is the result of the evaluation mostly positive or negative for Nigerians.? My first degree was a state University and masters in a federal university.

You are welcome bro. I know of DUT that also gives tuition fee waiver, not sure of other schools but SA universities aren't too expensive for PG studies, depending on your course of study. I heard SAQA accepts statement of result, not sure though. SAQA will issue a certificate if your document is authentic, it is National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level that may vary. Cheers.

fratermathy:
Hello house, I am currently a Masters students in Nigeria, soon to graduate. I intend to apply for PhD studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal but I have some questions:

1. Is it true that PhD candidates don't pay tuition fees in UKZN?
2. Are there any other know schools that are tuition free for Nigerians at the PhD level?
3. What is the typical cost of accomodation like [in naira]?
4. Can I work as a teaching assistant or lecturer while undertaking my PhD research?
5. Is it easy to get a visa for PhD studies?
6. How much is flight fee to SA [cheapest range]
7. Are there academic opportunities for PhD holders in SA?
8. What are the salient factors I must take into consideration?
9. How much do I need to survive on a monthly basis as a PhD student?
10. How fast is SAQA in verifying result? Do I need to include WAEC or NECO for SAQA verification?
11. Will SAQA send the result direct to the school or I will do that myself?
12. Do I need to send transcripts to both SAQA and the University I am applying to?

Please do well to tell me anything I haven't asked already. I know the questions are many. You don't have to answer all, just tell me the one you have an authoritative idea on. I really appreciate!


Thanks!

1. True
2. Yes there are
3. Accommodation ranges from 30K to 80K per month, depending on location and whether it is shared or not. And you pay monthly not yearly.
4. Yes you can work as a teaching assistant or part-time lecturer, depending on the opportunities in your field of study.
5. Yes, it's very easy to get study visa for PhD, so long as you have all the required documents.
6. It depends on your destination in SA and on airline, ranging from 120K to 180K, it fluctuates, you may even get cheaper flights if you book way before your travel date.
7. Lots of academic opportunities for PhD holders in SA, it depends on what you mean by academic opportunities.
8. Salient factors - don't live more than your means, watch the company you keep in SA and be focused on your work, most importantly - God factor.
9. It depends on your lifestyle, but food ain't expensive in SA, the last time I checked. Public transport is also very cheap.
10. SAQA ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months or more, depending on when your school verifies your documents. Yes you need your WAEC or NECO, including scratch card that they will use to check your result online, it's a new requirement.
11. SAQA will send your document to your school for verification after which they will issue you a SAQA certificate.
12. Usually you will need to send to both but different universities have different requirements.

Be prayerful, hopeful and optimistic, and it will make more sense if you can confirm if your supervisor has funding for postgraduate students, it will make you have a very soft landing but there are scholarship opportunities as well, though competitive for foreigners but it's not impossible to get, depending on your field of study.


NB: I stand to be corrected on any above if anyone has any recent info about any of the questions, please share.

Cheers!

Shine1177:
Source: http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/education/2016/04/22/foreign-graduates-of-sas-universities-can-soon-apply-for-permanent-residence

Make hay while the sun shines.

Wonderful. Another reason to study in SA. This is the second time Gigaba is talking about it, he mentioned it late last year as well, guess it's close to implementation. International students, graduates & intending graduates should be hopeful that it will be implemented soon. Cheers.

Please fellow nairalanders, let us try to be civil with our comments so as not to defeat the main purpose of the thread. I think the point has been made beyond reasonable doubt that as a PG student you have better opportunities in SA than Nigeria and you should have plans of going back home to improve Nigeria after you've made it. Apologies to those offended by comments of others. Cheers!

staggerlee:
I do see all the probs in Naija, but also there are more millionaires in Naija than in SA, I mean in dollars. If we dedicate the way we get visas to thinking of biz ideas and looking for biznesses in naija soon and soon we ll strike gold. Coming to do masters here u go spend millions, no odd jobs for students like the US to suppliment if we channel those millions to setting up something in naija u will flourish

You keep focusing on the rich people in Nigeria, you need to look at the bigger picture, the common man working tirelessly to enrich the rich people, not everyone is good doing business, I beg to disagree that you need millions to go for a masters in SA, as you didn't break a sweat to do your PG studies in SA, some other people don't break a sweat, also, there are schools in SA that give full tuition fee waiver for PG studies and you can even apply for scholarships even though it's quite competitive, it's not impossible to get. I agree there are no odd jobs but there are tutorship opportunities and some schools in SA even give free accommodation to PG students. Tell me you were sad when you got your PR. Or that you will return your PR when going back to Nigeria then I'll agree with you that you are really sure you don't need to have a plan B when going back to Nigeria. The point is, PG studies in SA or any other country in the world opens your eyes to opportunities and removes the limitation you get in Nigeria due to the lack of basic amenities. You've got that eye opener thats why you are going back home to invest in the economy. I think you should rather encourage more people to get that eye opener than discourage them, they don't have to stay after their PG studies but the basic thing is that they will leave as a better person, if not financially then intellectually.

staggerlee:
I left Nigeria cos I was tired of just having a first degree, I wanted more and SA provided me the opportunity to do my research. I left Naija without breaking a sweat Thanks to God. Mind you have not said no one should not leave naija, but dont stress yourself to leave. What has changed in Naija since I left? Nothing! but people have changed, at least those I choose to align with. Everyone in my close cycle have stepped up. Like I say it depends on what you focus on that you will see. My mind set have changed, have decided to see the wealth. I left Naija on sunday, the airport was so full, yet we all complain no FOREX, no be FOREX those that are traveling go spend? I have decided to come back to Nigeria (maybe not fully cos I have a family here in SA) because 1. I am tired of living in another mans country 2. There is a limit a non south african by origin can rise to 3. I have business proposals I want to push into the Nigerian space 4. I am a Nigerian and I want to push the Nigerian project. 5. We live a fake life in SA, to buy car is credit, house is credit, clothes credit. I need to make real cash. for now naija is the only place that offers me that opportunity

I rest my case. Thanks for the insight, really appreciate. Credit facilities in SA is a discussion for another day. I agree with you, you can never be a first class citizen in another man's country and a person in diaspora must be able to go back to Nigeria with something tangible to invest in the economy. I'll like to say again, you align with people that are well too do in Nigeria. God bless Nigeria. Cheers!

staggerlee:
First I find it hard to believe that anyone can get masters and phd in 3 years. In down town New York people are suffering. No where u go in the world, pple dey suffer, it now depends on what or who u focus on. Every policy in Naija has enriched some people, why can't we focus on those that benefit. Its about time to change our focus. Yes I saw fuel queues, yes I saw mad traffic, but that didn't limit my movement in anyway, I got what I had to do sharply. Naija is a place u can sleep with 1 naira and wake up as a millionaire. People have become millionaires because of dollar scarcity. My brother u need to shift ur antenna small (like wazobia tv advert on radio)

I guess we are entitled to our opinion. But just before I rest my case, May I ask the reason why you left naija for SA when you did? And if you have any regrets? Also, what got better in naija from when you left till now that makes you want to return to naija? maybe we can take a que from your experience and stay back in Nigeria. Thanks.

staggerlee:
Hello forum, I just got back from Lagos, I have not been in lagos for 2 years. So I visited for 2 weeks. All I could see are opportunities. Really I don't see why people stress themselves to come to SA, as a matter of fact I am winding up my activities in SA and coming to come back to Lagos, I have given myself 3 years to do this. None of my friends that I left in lagos is on the same levelthey are all doing better. Apart from kia and hyudia there is no brand new car less than 5 million, yet people buy brand new cars daily and u can't see a 2015 model of car still on display as brand new, most 2015 cars are sold. Its only in Nigeria a house can be 250 million and u see pple paying cash upfront.
I think Nigeria has all the potentials, staying in another man's land isn't it at all. Mind you, by the grace of God I can never apply for any kind of visa in SA again as I am a permanent resident permit holder so I am not saying all these because I am frustrated.

@staggerlee, I must say you've got rich friends, go to the grassroot level, you'll know the struggle is real. Let's not consider the wealth difference. You get stuck in gridlock hold up everyday, trips you make in minutes in SA will take hours in Nigeria, you practically have to pay for generator because power supply is not good, from my observation on this group, most Nigerians come here to study, I presume you also got your PR going through the study route in SA. There is no gain saying that if you are dedicated to your PG studies, you finish ur postgraduate degree within minimum time in SA. I know many people that finished their full time masters in 3yrs in Nigeria and they even said theirs was fast, meanwhile, I know quite a banner of people in SA that finished their masters and PhD within 3yrs with publications and they've got their PR. Don't forget that you are going to Nigeria as a better person than when you came to SA and you are going to invest in the Nigerian economy which is what we need. Nigeria needs us to give back than take from it, hence, I guess people are coming to SA to be able to study then go back to Nigeria to invest their intellectual and financial resources in the economy, I don't think that should be discouraged. I don't mean to be pessimistic about Nigeria but the suffering is much in Nigeria than in SA. I stand to be corrected.

iyaaliyah:
@stevetop, thanks for answering my last questions.

Now, I read page by page of this thread and I say thank you, all that contributed. Though not expressly stated on this forum but it seems it is faster to apply for medical visa (if genuinely seeking medical treatment in SA) than visit visa. (pls, correct me if am wrong) so I will go the medical visa route cos I was thinking It Wd be the usual visit visa.

I am actually going for medical procedure in capetown that will keep me in SA for about a month I realised not many people are applying for medical visa, so the plenty questions are about student and visit visas.
I grabbed some info tho but pls, I still need answers to the following questions :
A. I saw forms B1-84 and B1-1784. Pls which one applies to a medical visa applicant?
B. Do I need letter of self introduction since I have a salary account I can use. Note pls: my husband runs his own business with a business account, private account and an1-84 existing company.
Is letter of self introduction different from application letter? (sorry, I read something like that in d previous pages)

C. How many months of bank statement is required for medical visa application? 3, 6months?

D. With my (medical) visa, is there any neighboring country I can visit for like 5days or any tour (site) we can book in capetown.

Meanwhile, @OgaTheTop2, were you allowed to see the city during your layovers?

Thanks.

I think B1-84 is the correct form. Letter of self introduction. is as it connotes, it's a letter written to introduce yourself to the high commission and stating your reason for applying for the visa and that you have sufficient financial means to cater for your living expenses and medical bill. 6 months bank statement will suffice since you are applying from Nigeria. You can visit any neighbouring country if you are given multiple entry visa. NB: you need to submit letter from your Nigerian doctor as well your doctor in mzansi, the doctor in SA must be working in private sector. Regards.

staggerlee:
I wasnt gonna help, I dont do business with faceless people on the internet

@staggerlee, you would have said you won't be able to help him ab initio and that you are giving him the rate of agents rather than saying "If u can pay 26 naira to a Rand", anybody that read that comment will think that you are just being mean bearing in mind that online gives an unrealistic value of 12.9, people are going through a lot to travel, an innocent comment like yours can give the person sleepless nights in the face of the falling value of the naira. Thanks #just saying.

xandeross:
Hello, have you submitted? i'm also in your shoes, i have all the documents ready, i just dont understand the rapatriation fee part, how much is it and if you have submitted can you enlighten me more on that please? i intend submitting in Lagos. thank you.

No need for repatriation fee. It's been cancelled.

staggerlee:
Am not sure you have been to govt hospital in SA, they are frustrating maybe except the ones in Western Cape.

I've been to quite a number of govt hospitals in SA and their care is good though some have long waiting periods but you will most definitely get optimal care. Cheers.

Solomonoware:
Pls I saw these on the vfs website when I tracked my application.... What does it mean pls........

You probably chose that your passport should be sent to you via courier(EMS) after processing, hence, they've probably sent it to EMS to send to you. Cheers!

meagainstdem:
Hi house, I'm stranded in cape town. I'v exhausted all the rand I changed from lagos and i'v looked round where I can get naira changed to rand in d whole of cape town to no avail. Pls can someone come to my aid as soon as possible? I'm having only R20 with me now. Also, any clue on accommodation? Finally, how do u guys transact money from nigeria in rand and naira. Nigerian govt no do well at all wit all their monetary policies. You are in foreign land wit a fat account in nigeria but you find it difficult to access it. Urgent response pls, I'm fed up!

Hello bro. So sorry about your being stranded. Cape Town is not a good place to get stranded. You can PM me ur number, I'll give you a call, I can be of help. Have you tried using the ATM or swiping your card in stores? Some of the cards still work.

bisi16:
Hi all,

Any consequences for not renewing medical aid when it expires? Mine is expired but I have 4months of study left. Thanks for your replies.

If you fall sick, go to a government hospital, you will be treated free of charge since you are on a study permit. Even if you have surgeries done, it's still free of charge in government hospital. Cheers!

meagainstdem:
Ha bros thank you. Man suffer small. Ok I will try d wakanow now and let u know how it goes. I want to ask if I can book that sunday that I want to go?

It's better you book way before your travel date bro, it's cheaper, but you can book that day too but it's going to be freaking expensive and you may only get business class. And try to print your boarding pass before going to the airport, it saves you some stress. Its usually open for printing 24hrs before the boarding time. Cheers.

yungokus:
Hi guyz, Goodmorning

Pls can anyone advice about the possibilty of applying for a new international passport before its expiry... my Int passport is expiring in 5months time but i need a new one because i intend applying for a visa but am aware no embassy issues visas on a passport that is less than 6months to its expiry. Pls guyz will d nigerian embassy in joburg issue me a new one?..i heard those guyz are terrors and will milk one dry but is it possible to get a new one there under those circumstance.

Lastly, after getting a new one does the old one remain valid as it will not be fully expired or i have to start using the new one pronto for new visas and stamps at POE?... also is it mandatory i transfer my old visas on the new passports or i leave them.

Pls kindly advice..Thanks

Usually, you apply for a new passport few months before the old one expires, at least that was what I did. All the pages of the of the old passport will be cancelled without prejudice, you have to travel with your old and new passports attached together with a rubber band. I don't know about applying for new passport from the Nigerian embassy in Joburg. Cheers!

meagainstdem:
Hello house, pls how do we book flight aside through d Internet. I sent someone to SA office in MMIA to make enquiry for me but they refused to grant her audience, saying I must appear physically. She was going to one agent or the other inside the airport, being given different prices. How will I be far outside lagos and will be required again to come to Lagos just for flight booking. Please house advise.

Good to know you've been granted the visa eventually after all the stress, I was following your hustle here and numerous lagos trips, sorry bro. About flight booking, You really don't have to go to the airport to book a flight, you can use wakanow, you do everything online and pay online, I've used them before, it's cheaper.... Cheers.

elijah101:
please house help

Febuary 10, 2016

South Africa High Comission
24 Molade Okoya Thomas Street
Victoria Island
Lagos
Nigeria.


Application for South Africa Visitor's Visa




Dear Sir / Madam;




I submitted my document for visiting visa .... i did like to know if the dear sir/ma comes before the heading but i submitted otherwise

does it matter

Don't worry bro, it does not matter, it's the content of the letter that is important to them.... But for learning sake, the salutation comes before the heading and the heading has to be in block letters if you don't underline. But don't bother yourself about that. Its fine the way you submitted it. Cheers!

elijah101:
please house help

Febuary 10, 2016

South Africa High Comission
24 Molade Okoya Thomas Street
Victoria Island
Lagos
Nigeria.


Application for South Africa Visitor's Visa




Dear Sir / Madam;




I submitted my document for visiting visa .... i did like to know if the dear sir/ma comes before the heading but i submitted otherwise

does it matter

.

segzy201:
@ muhaogunlo thanks for all d comments and guide my saqa status is saying complete nw just waiting for their mail to collect d certificate

That's good to hear, You are welcome bro. Best of luck in your endeavours, Cheers!!!

segzy201:
@ muhaogunlo i should not mind d status on d application den?

Don't worry about the status, it will only change when you are notified that your certificate is ready for collection...but you can just call SAQA just to confirm that your school has actually responded Cheers.

segzy201:
pls house if ur school reply saqa for d verification sent will ur status on saqa site change because i still have seeking verification but school seem to hv sent d mail to saqa

Don't stress bro, so long as your school has responded, be rest assured that soonest SAQA will ask you to come for your certificate, it will take some time for the evaluator to evaluate the verification and subsequently issue a final report and the certificate. Good luck bro. Cheers!!!

segzy201:
@ muhaogunlo its going to three month nw exactly 12-11-2015

Ok that's exactly 2mths 1day. Pls keep putting pressure on SAQA, Mail and call them everyday and also follow up with your school in Nigeria. And keep praying too, hopefully you'll get a positive response soonest.

Diamond1960:
I need a format of letter of self introduction for a friend who needed study visa... So Urgent please..

You can Google it bro, I'm sure you will get more than enough formats. Basically you just need to state your full name, Passport Number, address in Nigeria, what you are currently doing in Nigeria, your past international travel, your purpose of visit to The Republic, the school, the course, duration and probably accommodation arrangements you've made and statement that you won't overstay and will be responsible in RSA.

segzy201:
@ muhaogunlo, pls my school registrar said she didnt receive any mail from SAQA and my school registrar said she cant write mail to SAQA except a mail from SAQA. Pls what else can i do.

Pls hold on for the hard copy, it will definitely get to Nigeria. How long is it now that they sent u a message that an email has been sent for verification?