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    Visa Guide · 🇿🇦 South Africa

    South Africa Academic Sabbatical Visa from Bangladesh

    Visitor’s Visa for an approved academic sabbatical at a South African tertiary institution.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The South Africa Academic Sabbatical Visa is a Visitor’s Visa category for Bangladeshi nationals and eligible residents undertaking an academic sabbatical in South Africa. The application should be supported by a formal acceptance letter from the host tertiary institution and clear evidence of the sabbatical purpose, duration, funding and accommodation arrangements.

    South African immigration law provides for academic sabbaticals under section 11(1)(b)(i), with the authorised period determined by the relevant South African authority. Applications from Bangladesh are handled through VFS Global New Delhi, where a prior appointment is currently not required. 

    Document Checklist

    1. Passport (Original): Original passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure from South Africa, with at least two unused/blank visa pages. Submit the current passport together with the required copies.
    2. Previous Passport(s) & Travel History: Full clear copies of previous passports, including relevant visa and immigration pages, where available. Travel history should be disclosed consistently with the application and supporting records.
    3. Photograph (South Africa Visa Format): Provide 2 recent colour passport photographs, 35mm x 45mm, taken within the last 30 days against a plain white background and meeting the current South Africa VFS photo specifications.
    4. DHA-84 Visa Application Form: Fully completed Form 11 (DHA-84) in black ink and block letters, signed by the applicant with a signature matching the passport.
    5. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter explaining the academic sabbatical purpose, intended duration, host institution, accommodation and funding arrangements. It should clearly state who will bear the expenses, include the physical address and contact details of the applicant, and keep the academic purpose consistent with the institutional records.
    6. Tertiary Institution Acceptance Letter: Official acceptance letter confirming the applicant’s name and passport number, academic sabbatical purpose and duration, host institution address and contact details, and the responsible host’s name, designation and signature. A copy of the host’s ID attested by a Commissioner of Oaths or the South African Police Service should also be provided.
    7. NOC / Leave Approval: Letter from the applicant’s employer, university or institution confirming approved leave or sabbatical, applicant details, intended period in South Africa, and the authorised signatory’s contact information.
    8. Personal Bank Statements & Solvency Certificate: Original bank statements (personal and/or salary account) for the last 6 months, issued by the bank and showing the bank name and contact details. Statements must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank officer (e-statements not accepted), and accompanied by a bank solvency/financial standing certificate where required.
    9. Medical & Radiological Reports: Provide the current medical report and, where applicable, radiological report required by the VFS Academic Sabbatical checklist. Reports should meet the validity and exemption conditions applicable at the time of submission.
    10. Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): Original Police Clearance Certificate issued by the competent police authority for the applicant’s place of residence, confirming criminal record status (issued within the validity period required by the visa office / competent authority).
    11. Flight Reservation: Valid flight ticket or provisional reservation showing the intended travel dates and consistent with the application. Applicants should avoid purchasing non-refundable travel tickets before a visa decision.
    12. Hotel Reservation / Accommodation Booking: Hotel booking or other accommodation evidence covering the intended stay, showing the relevant address and dates and remaining consistent with the invitation and travel plan.
    13. Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (where applicable): Required if the applicant will travel through or stay in a yellow-fever-risk area before entering South Africa. Check the current South African yellow fever policy against the planned itinerary.
    14. Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh.
    15. Civil Status Documents: Marriage certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate, birth certificate, or family-related documents where applicable.
    16. Minor Applicant Documents (where applicable): For applicants under 18, provide the required birth, parental consent form, parent/legal guardian identification, custody or guardianship documents, and other supporting records required under the current minor-travel rules. 

    Process Roadmap

    Step 1

    Confirm the Sabbatical Purpose

    Confirm that the visit is genuinely for an academic sabbatical and that the planned activity, host institution and duration are clearly defined before preparing the application.

    Step 2

    Complete DHA-84 Consistently

    Complete Form 11 (DHA-84) in black ink and block letters, ensuring the academic purpose, travel period, host details and funding information match the supporting documents.

    Step 3

    Secure Institutional Confirmation

    Obtain the tertiary institution acceptance letter and the applicant’s NOC or sabbatical approval so both records present a consistent academic purpose and period.

    Step 4

    Prepare Financial & Supporting Evidence

    Arrange the required bank, medical, police-clearance, accommodation, travel and other supporting records relevant to the Academic Sabbatical application.

    Step 5

    Prepare for New Delhi Submission

    Bangladeshi applicants must submit through VFS Global New Delhi under the jurisdiction of the South African High Commission in New Delhi.

    Step 6

    Lodge the File & Pay Applicable Fees

    A prior appointment is currently not required. Present the complete application at VFS New Delhi and pay the applicable visa and VFS charges during submission.

    Step 7

    Track the Case & Review the Visa

    Follow available VFS updates and, after passport return, check the authorised validity, entries and conditions before making final travel arrangements.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    Academic purpose is not clearly defined

    How UnivEase helps

    We help align the sabbatical purpose, host institution, activities and duration across the application and supporting records.

    Institutional letters are incomplete

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the applicant, purpose, dates, host details and authorised-signatory information that should appear in the academic records.

    Funding or repatriation arrangements are unclear

    How UnivEase helps

    We help clarify the bank, sponsorship and institutional evidence needed to show how the stay and return arrangements will be supported.

    Health, police or supporting records are missing

    How UnivEase helps

    We provide checklist-based guidance on the current medical, radiological, police-clearance and other supporting requirements for New Delhi submission.

    VFS & Embassy

    Embassy

    South African High Commission, New Delhi
    Address: B-18 Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057, India.
    Telephone: +91-11-2614 9411-14
    Immigration Queries: Infoza.india@vfshelpline.com
    Website: Click Here
    Working Hours: Monday to Thursday, 08:30-17:00; Friday, 08:30-14:15.
    Consular & Immigration Section: Monday to Friday, 08:30-12:30. 

    Visa Application Centre

    South Africa Visa Application Centre, New Delhi
    Address: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001, India.
    Helpline: 02267866066 (Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00)
    Website: Click Here
    Submission Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00-16:00. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Prepare your South Africa Academic Sabbatical Visa application with a clear academic purpose.

    Get clear guidance on DHA-84, tertiary-institution letters, required documents, fees, VFS New Delhi submission and passport-return steps before you apply.

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