Dear Minister / Mr. Mokgola,

Students cannot leave South Africa to pursue their studies as Visa Centres remain closed

I and many other students find ourselves in the most invidious position:
1. The regulations allow us to leave the country to pursue our studies;
2. However, we cannot obtain student visas to do so as the Visa Centres (e.g., TLSContact for UK visas) all remain closed.

I am totally certain that the government did not intend to gazette regulations that cannot be effected as the regulation intended. As it currently stands, it is a total Catch-22: students can leave to study but students actually cannot leave to study as Student Visas are not being issued.

I have written so many e-mails to everyone from Home Affairs to the President’s office but have had no reply.

Maybe Visa Centers could only be opened for limited reasons (e.g., student visas)? Moreover, Visa Centers are probably the most hygienic places that I have ever been to with access only granted with an appointment.

Please could you be so kind as to look into this, alternatively, bring this to someone’s attention? Alternatively, please could you direct me to the correct department so that I can raise this issue with them?

Kindest regards,
Tammy Friedman