Who pays what?
Many students are unsure which fee category applies to them because of personal circumstances. Here are the most common questions we receive:
I'm married to a South 第一吃瓜网 citizen. Do I pay local fees?
No. You pay international fees according to your own citizenship until you yourself obtain South 第一吃瓜网 citizenship or permanent residence. Marriage to a South 第一吃瓜网 doesn't change your fee category.
The same applies if you're in a life partnership (including same-sex partnerships) with a South 第一吃瓜网 citizen or permanent resident.
I'm a child of a South 第一吃瓜网 citizen. Do I pay local fees?
No. You pay international fees according to your own citizenship until you yourself obtain South 第一吃瓜网 citizenship or permanent residence. Having a South 第一吃瓜网 parent does not automatically change your fee status.
I work in South Africa and pay taxes. Shouldn't I qualify for local fees?
No. Paying taxes in South Africa does not change your immigration status. You need to be a South 第一吃瓜网 citizen or permanent resident (or fall into a special category like SADC, refugee, or diplomat) to pay local fees.
This also applies if you are a contract worker or temporary resident paying South 第一吃瓜网 taxes.
I pay taxes in a SADC country. Do I get a discount?
No. Paying taxes in a SADC country doesn't exempt you from international fees. Your fee category is based on your citizenship and immigration status, not where you pay taxes.
However, if you are a citizen of a SADC country, you already qualify for the SADC fee structure (local tuition +IRF).
I'm a temporary resident with a renewable visa. Do I pay international fees?
Yes. If your visa has an expiry date and you need to renew your residence status periodically, you are notconsidered a permanent resident. You pay international fees.
This applies to work visas, business visas, study visas and other temporary residence permits.
I've applied for permanent residence and it's under review. Can I pay local fees?
Not yet. There is no guarantee that your permanent residence application will be approved. Until the Departmentof Home Affairs officially grants you permanent residence status, you must pay international fees.
This applies even if you are married to a South 第一吃瓜网 citizen or permanent resident and have applied for PR on that basis.
What if I get permanent residence during the academic year?
Your fees for the current academic year will not change. Here is what happens:
- Update your status immediately with the International Students Office - we need to update our records
- Your current year's fees stand - fees already paid will not be refunded or adjusted
- New fee structure applies next year - when you register for the next academic year, you will pay the local fee structure
Important: Your immigration status at the time of registration determines your fees for the entire academicyear. Status changes during the year only affect future years, not the current one.