Dear Sir,

RE: Regulations which allow students to leave the country : effect cannot be given to the letter of the law as students cannot obtain Student Visas to continue their overseas studies as visa centers are closed in South Africa

Basically, the government regulations allowing categories such as ‘Students” to leave the country cannot be effected as students cannot obtain Student Visas as all Visa Centers are closed.

Visa centers are not on the list of excluded businesses and should be able to resume business. Aside from that, Visa Centers are totally hygienic with people only being able to access them with an appointment.

I do not believe that the Government would publish regulations which were incapable of being followed through and it was their clear intention to allow students to pursue their studies overseas.

Please could you advise me and the many other students in my position of the following:
1. Would you have any idea when Visa Centers in Durban will open for limited activity such as providing visas to students who are due to start their studies in August / September overseas?
2. Alternatively, would you be able to suggest who I may approach to lobby for the re-opening of visas limited to the categories of people allowed to leave the country as per the regulations?
Thank you so much for your time.
Regards,
Tammy Friedman