Exchange visas may be issued to foreigners under the age of 25 who wish to participate in cultural, economic, or social exchange programs carried out by a state body or a state higher education institution jointly with a foreign state body. Applications are submitted to any regional office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or to the nearest South African embassy, ​​mission, or consulate abroad.

The validity period of the exchange permit depends on the duration of the program for which it is issued and usually does not exceed 12 months. Exchange authorization cannot be renewed or extended.

If you successfully apply for an exchange permit, you will not be able to apply for a temporary residence permit until you have lived outside the Republic of South Africa for at least 12 months.

If you need an exchange visa to participate in a program run or organized by an educational institution in South Africa jointly with a foreign educational institution/authority (Section 22 (a) of the Immigration Act 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002)), the following are required:

• Duly completed application BI-1738 form
• A passport valid for at least 30 days after the end of the intended visit
• Payment of the established fee
• Vaccination certificate if required by law
• Confirmation of the availability of funds to cover living expenses during the stay in the Republic in the form of:

1. bank account statements
2. cash
3. or traveler's checks

• Undertaking of the host party in the Republic of South Africa
• Confirmation of medical insurance
• A cash deposit equivalent to the cost of the return ticket, or an undertaking by the relevant institution to cover the costs of deportation, if necessary
• Medical and radiological findings
• A police certificate from each country in which you have lived for 12 months or more since the age of 18
• A letter from the Ministry of Education or a South African public higher education institution confirming that it is responsible for the organization/administration of the program, describing the activities and their duration, and confirming that it assumes full responsibility for the student during his/her stay in the country
• A letter from a foreign authority confirming the student's data, including confirmation of the student's registration at a higher educational institution abroad, as well as the date of commencement of studies.
• A report from a South African public authority or educational institution referred to in regulation 19 (3).

If you need an exchange visa to participate in a program managed or organized by a public authority (Section 22(a) of the Immigration Act 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002)), you must provide the following:

• A duly completed BI-1738 application form 
• A passport valid for at least 30 days after the end of the intended visit
• Payment of the established fee
• Vaccination certificate if required by law
• Confirmation of the availability of funds to cover living expenses during your stay in the Republic in the form of:

1. bank account statements
2. cash
3. or traveler's checks

• Undertaking of the receiving party in the Republic of South Africa
• Confirmation of medical coverage 
• Medical and radiological findings
• A cash deposit equivalent to the value of the return ticket or an undertaking by the relevant institution to cover the costs of deportation, if necessary, together with proof of the return ticket
• A letter from a government agency confirming the status/existence of the exchange program
• A letter from an educational institution abroad confirming your enrollment, or a letter from a government agency in a foreign country confirming your participation in the program and their awareness of the exchange program
• Annual reports from the sponsoring body describing the progress of program implementation. In the absence of a sponsoring body, reports must be provided by the educational institution or a government body.
• A police certificate from each country in which you have lived for 12 months or more since the age of 18.

To apply for an exchange visa issued under section 22 (b) of the Immigration Act 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002), you must submit the following documentation to the nearest South African embassy, ​​mission or consulate in your country of origin:

• A duly completed application BI-1738 form
• A passport valid for at least 30 days after the end of the intended visit
• Payment of the established fee
• Vaccination certificate if required by law
• Confirmation of the availability of funds to cover living expenses during the stay in the Republic in the form of:

1. bank account statements
2. cash
3. or traveler's checks

• Undertaking of the receiving party in the Republic of South Africa
• Confirmation of medical insurance
• Medical and radiological findings
• A cash deposit equivalent to the value of the return ticket or an undertaking by the relevant institution to cover the costs of deportation, if necessary, together with proof of the return ticket
• Police certificate from each country in which you have lived for 12 months or more since the age of 18
• A statement from a potential employer confirming that:

• the position for which the exchange permit will be issued exists
• that your remuneration meets the work requirements
• the employer will provide for your welfare and needs while working for his company
• the employer will inform the Department if you do not comply with the terms and conditions of your permit 
• you will leave the country after your permit expires.

• You will not be able to apply for a permanent residence permit for 2 years after the exchange permit expires.