blackCat Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 I've been offered a position to do a PhD in England beginning in June 2011 and running for 3 years and so I will need to get a study visa which is valid for 3 years. BUT, my passport expires in June 2012 (so 15 odd months time). Does anyone know if its possible to still get that (3 year) visa in a passport that will expire before the visa does? Or should I rather renew my passport here first before applying for a visa. My only concern with that is that applying for a new passport can take forever here and I don't want to end up in the situation where I cant make any plans (book flights, accommodation etc...) because I'm sitting around waiting for a new passport. Do any of the well traveled cyclists have some valuable advice for me?How long does a new passport generally take to get? Anyone with recent experience?Can I get a visa in a passport that expires before the visa does? Thanks peeps! Happy riding
kosmonooit Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 Congrags! I am almost sure you will need a passport valid for the length of the visa but check. The Brits have outsourced Visas now since their change in policy you might be able to call, before you had to go to the consulate and wait. You should be able to get a new passport within a month or so. Its not that bad. Where are you going to study and what?
Wayne Potgieter Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 All visa's (regardless of country) must expire at least 6 months before the passport expires. In other words, you gotta have 6 months on top of your visa/intended duration of stay. You need a new passport dude. But dont stress, i just renewed mine, hardly took 3 weeks, they were actually quite jacked.
Berg Man Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 Maybe get the passport renewed now as I heard on the radio this moning that the price of passports is going up from R200 to R400 from next Friday.
greenhorn Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 UK Visa takes 3 days (for a business one), not sure how long the student one will take. That is assuming all docs are in order. They have outsourced the issuing of visas, so its pretty efficient (but costly)New passport takes about 6 weeks, but its a moving target at the moment.If your visa is in an expired passport, its ok, but you then have to travel with both the expired and new passport. Given that you have a bit of time, probably best to get a new passport, then the visa. Use a pasport consultant, they are generally worth the fee, as they get you past the queues for fingerprints etc (to use a passport guy costs about R600 in Jozi, not sure how much in CT) UK visa site is www.vfs-uk-za.com
blackCat Posted March 25, 2011 Author Posted March 25, 2011 Thanks guys, Spoke to the british embassy - looks like i can get a three year visa in a my current passport no problem. And then apply for a new passport and travel with both. A visa is still valid in an expired passport. But as soon as a apply for a new passport the old one gets canceled so I don't want to risk applying now and then having to wait too long for the new passport. Anyway, thanks for the input, much appreciated!
mon-goose Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 went to malmesbury and passport and id took less than a month to get
Lou Zealand Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 My study visa was in my passport that expired during my studies (SA Study Visa when I was undertaking PhD studies @ PMB). No hassle. The authorising agency can update the new passport with a duplicate stamp/sticker. I am supposed to update my new passport with my permanent residence status however (fingers crossed) customs have been pretty relaxed when I show them either my ID book or my old passport with the requisite details. Enjoy your studies. Praytell, which University and what are you reading?
Riprap Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 SA Citizens may legally have two passports. Get a Maxi passport with more pages when you apply for the new one.
gummibear Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 SA Citizens may legally have two passports. Get a Maxi passport with more pages when you apply for the new one. You may find yourself with some serious problems if you do.
mark ellis Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 yeah you can get in your current passport and they will put new visa stamp in new passport when you need it, no problems
mark ellis Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 SA Citizens may legally have two passports. Get a Maxi passport with more pages when you apply for the new one. I have british and SA, I have to travel with a letter from the SA HC stating I have permission to do so, no letter and I am eligable for a 20K fine! stupid if you ask me, the letter cost about 1 grand!
Riprap Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 I have british and SA, I have to travel with a letter from the SA HC stating I have permission to do so, no letter and I am eligable for a 20K fine! stupid if you ask me, the letter cost about 1 grand! Misunderstood, legally two South African Passports.
Eugene Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 I have british and SA, I have to travel with a letter from the SA HC stating I have permission to do so, no letter and I am eligable for a 20K fine! stupid if you ask me, the letter cost about 1 grand! My 9 year old daughter has a German passport (as my wife). We were told that we could re-enter SA using my wife's letter (same as the one mentioned above). When we arrived back, the twat at customs did not want to let her back into SA (she was 6 at the time), because she did not have her own letter. Despite my protests, he would not believe me until I flashed him my SARS ID card. Then he let her in. When I got back to work, I did some research and he was wrong, she could have re-entered on my wife's letter.
Addicted to trail Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 I have british and SA, I have to travel with a letter from the SA HC stating I have permission to do so, no letter and I am eligable for a 20K fine! stupid if you ask me, the letter cost about 1 grand! Oh Flip!! Are you serious? is that if you travel with both passports? or just because of the fact that you own two? im in the same boat, but have never heard of needing a letter?
mon-goose Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 I have an SA and Irish passport and haven't had any problems travelling with both. I leave SA and arrive back with the SA one and arrive at my destination, and leave, on the Irish.... assuming it's an EU country. I haven't had any letter
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