FOR SBS OR TITUS PROJECT STUDENTS
As a School Leader you are responsible for seven things in regards to visas for the students that you accept:
1. COMMUNICATE WITH STUDENTS WHAT THEY NEED TO DO FOR A VISA
Direct them to the Student Visa Hub where there will be step by step information about the visa applying process for SBS or Titus Project/ students.
The ideal route is that they apply for and receive a Volunteer Visa which is classified as a “Temporary Residence Visa Exceeding 90 Days 11(1)(b)(II)”.
It is also important that they apply for a multiple entry visa - as they will want the ability to come and go for breaks.
If there will be a Titus Project after the SBS, students will be applying for a one year visa to give the option of students to join the Titus Project.
It is vital that they do not apply for the wrong visa - as it is not a visitors or a study visa. They should not mention studying anywhere in their application as due to the fact that we are still in the accreditation process of becoming an official registered educational institute, this would be a red flag to their application and for YWAM Muizenberg. Reiterate to the student that it is vital that they state the purpose of their visit is to volunteer with YWAM.
If they are rejected for this visa, they can apply for a Tourist Visa (this information is on the Student Visa Hub for them as well)
2. Communicate the option for a Titus Project
3. Request a visa letter for the students
Next, request a Visa Letter from the Visa Team. This process happens through the website and is the best way for us to have the information that we need to help you. You can email follow up questions to the Visa Team, but do not send anything via Whatsapp or send students to our team members.
4. support students if their visa is rejected
If their application for the TRV (the Volunteer Visa which is classified as a Temporary Residence Visa Exceeding 90 Days 11(1)(b)(II)) is rejected, they will next have to apply for a Tourist Visa (the students can find information for the steps for this process on the Student Visa Hub).
There are some risks to extending their visa, which are worst-case scenarios, but we want them to be informed:
They need to apply for an extension within 30 days after entry into South Africa.
There are costs to extending a visa - R1775 for the visa application, plus printing costs.
The possibility that that they would be given a shorter amount of time (a month or even only one additional week).
If their application is rejected, they will be forced in a short frame of time to leave the country, unless they seek to appeal the outcome.
They cannot legally leave South Africa while their application is pending - this will likely result in them being blacklisted from South Africa for at least a few years if they do leave. The implication is that they may need to stay longer in South Africa than they had planned (beyond the dates of the school). In this scenario, they must continue as a volunteer with YWAM, but there is no housing or food provided (as they would no longer be a student). So they will need to be able to cover the costs of however long you are in South Africa. YWAM can provide further information as far as housing options if it comes to it.
This being said, most of our experiences with visa extensions have turned out to be successful.
Alternatively, students can do a visa run (see tab to the left) - but this is the most expensive option and is not guaranteed.
5. COMMUNICATE TO STUDENTS CONSIDERATIONS FOR THEIR TRAVELING DURING COVID
Information about this process can be found to the left and we try to update it often
6. CHECK THEIR VISA ON ARRIVAL
It is vital that as a school leader you check their visa when they receive it, or when they arrive in country, and if anything unusual comes up, get in contact with the Visa Team and the Training Department as soon as possible. Do this by sending an email to the Visa Team, and cc’ing Training (training@ywammuizenberg.org).
A Temporary Residence Visa - should be a multiple entry visa for the length of the school
A Tourist Visa - should be a multiple entry visa for (hopefully) 90 days
Confirm that they got a stamp (which would be if they didn’t get a multiple entry visa) - this stamp will be the final answer for when they would need to leave the country.
7. SUPPORT STUDENTS THROUGH ANY EXTENSIONS NEEDED
Information about this process can be found to the left - all students that go the route of getting a Tourist Visa will have to apply for an extension