How Visa Runs Work to Extend Your Visa

Visa runs are basically leaving the country just before the expire date of a Tourist Visa and come back into the country at least a week later. This is the more extreme option for visa renewal, which only make sense for a SBS or Titus Project student given the length of time needed to complete your studies.

There are some risks to visa runs, which are worst-case scenarios, but we want you to be informed:

  • The possibility that you will not be given another three months, or that you would be given a shorter amount of time (a month or even only one additional week)

  • There is a risk of entering the country in future times being more difficult.

This being said, most of our experiences with visa runs have turned out to be successful.

THE WAY THAT IT WORKS:

  • After the length of time you have been given for your visa (typically three months), you leave South Africa to another country. This cannot be a bordering country of South Africa.

  • You then return to South Africa at least a couple of days later, but preferable a week or longer (this can be done in the breaks between the quarters). 

  • Upon returning to South Africa you will (hopefully) get another three months visa. 

  • These visa runs have to be done at least 2 times for a 9 months course.

VISA RUNS :