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    Visa Guide · 🇿🇦 South Africa

    South Africa Exchange Visa from Bangladesh

    Long Term Visa for structured educational, cultural, economic, or social exchange programmes involving South African and overseas partner institutions.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The South Africa Exchange Visa is a Long Term Visa for Bangladeshi nationals and eligible residents taking part in a formal exchange programme administered or organised by a South African learning institution or organ of state together with an overseas learning institution or foreign state institution. This page focuses on the section 22(a)/(b) exchange-programme framework.

    Applications from Bangladesh are handled by the South African High Commission in New Delhi and must be submitted through VFS Global New Delhi. The visa may be issued only for the approved exchange-programme period, so the supporting institutions should clearly establish the programme, participation, activities, terms, duration, and responsibility arrangements. 

    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-1738 Exchange Visa Application Form: Fully completed Form DHA-1738 in black ink and block letters, signed by the applicant with information consistent with the passport and exchange-programme records.
    5. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter explaining the exchange purpose, programme, intended activities, duration, accommodation, funding arrangements, home address, and contact details.
    6. South African Exchange Programme Letter: Letter from the Department of Basic Education, Higher Education and Training, relevant organ of state, or South African learning institution confirming the programme, activities, terms and conditions, duration, and responsibility for the participant where applicable.
    7. Foreign Institution / State Confirmation: Letter from the overseas learning institution or foreign state institution confirming the applicant’s particulars, enrolment or participation, and the relevant programme commencement details.
    8. Exchange Programme / Participation Evidence: Any additional programme schedule, placement, nomination, enrolment, scholarship, or institutional record needed to connect the applicant clearly to the approved exchange arrangement.
    9. Financial Means & Sponsorship Evidence: Recently bank-certified statements for the last 6 months showing sufficient funds for the stay. If another person or institution funds the applicant, the supporting letter and financial records should clearly show that responsibility. Where South African bank statements are used, they should be attested by South African bank and South African Police Service.
    10. 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.
    11. Police Clearance Certificate (where applicable): Applicants aged 18 or over should provide police clearance certificates for countries where they have resided for 12 months or longer since turning 18, in line with the current Exchange Visa requirements.
    12. Return Travel / Responsibility Undertaking: Proof of a valid return air ticket or a written undertaking by the organ of state, learning institution, or employer accepting responsibility for the applicant’s return or deportation costs, as applicable.
    13. South African Medical Cover: Proof of medical cover for the full exchange period with a medical scheme registered under South Africa’s Medical Schemes Act.
    14. Medical & Radiological Reports: Submit the prescribed medical report and the required radiological report in original. The medical report should reflect the applicant’s general state of health and meet the current validity requirements.
    15. Civil Status Documents: Provide relevant marriage, divorce, custody, adoption, separation, death, or other civil-status records where applicable to the applicant and the current requirements.
    16. Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh.
    17. 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

    Validate the Exchange Programme

    Confirm that the proposed activity forms part of a recognised exchange programme involving the required South African and overseas institution or organ of state.

    Step 2

    Complete DHA-1738 Around the Programme

    Complete DHA-1738 carefully and align the applicant details, programme purpose, dates, South African address, and funding information with the supporting letters.

    Step 3

    Align the Partner-Institution Letters

    Obtain the South African programme confirmation and corresponding foreign institution or state letter so both records describe the same exchange arrangement.

    Step 4

    Prepare Funds & Other Supporting Evidence

    Arrange the required financial records, medical cover, return responsibility, police clearance, and any currently applicable medical or radiological evidence.

    Step 5

    Organise the New Delhi Submission File

    Prepare the complete application file for lodging through VFS Global New Delhi under the South African High Commission.

    Step 6

    Lodge the Application & Pay Charges

    A prior appointment is currently not required. Submit the complete file at VFS New Delhi and pay the applicable visa and VFS charges through the prescribed process.

    Step 7

    Track the Decision & Check Conditions

    Follow available VFS updates and, after passport return, confirm the visa validity, programme period, entries, and endorsed conditions before travel.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    Exchange programme is not clearly established

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the institutional and programme evidence needed to show that the application fits the Exchange Visa category.

    Partner letters do not align

    How UnivEase helps

    We help align the programme, activities, dates, responsibilities, and applicant details across the South African and overseas letters.

    Return or medical-cover responsibility is unclear

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the return-ticket or undertaking evidence and the qualifying South African medical cover required for the exchange period.

    Funding or Police Clearance evidence is incomplete

    How UnivEase helps

    We provide checklist-based guidance on financial records, police clearance, civil-status documents, and other New Delhi requirements relevant to the applicant.

    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 Exchange Visa around a clearly documented programme.

    Get clear guidance on DHA-1738, exchange-programme letters, financial and medical-cover evidence, fees, VFS New Delhi submission, and passport-return steps before you apply.

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