Zimbabwe student and scholar permits

The scholar permit is for children attending school in Zimbabwe; the student permit is for students at colleges and universities. Both are issued by the Chief Director of Immigration and are renewed as studies continue.

The Immigration Act requires the regulations to provide for students permits, alongside temporary employment permits and temporary permits, so the student permit is a statutory permit, not a visa.

Both permits require form I.F.5, an application letter to the Chief Director of Immigration, a letter of acceptance from the institution, a clearance letter from the Ministry of Education, a certified passport bio page, two certified photos, proof that tuition fees were paid in foreign currency, proof of accommodation and a radiological certificate. Scholars add an affidavit from a local guardian accepting custody during the studies; students add a police clearance from the country of origin not older than six months.

The scholar permit costs USD 100 and the student permit USD 200, plus USD 300 for each accompanying dependant. Extensions cost the same, and fees are non-refundable.

To extend, write to the Chief Director with a copy of the current permit and a letter from the institution confirming continuing studies; university students also attach their previous term or semester results. Dependants need a marriage certificate, birth certificates, police clearance for those over 18, passport bio pages and two photos each.

A college or university student may be accompanied by dependants, each costing an extra USD 300 on the initial permit and on each extension. The department asks for a marriage certificate where applicable, birth certificates for all children, a police clearance for each dependant over 18, passport bio-data pages and two passport photos per dependant. The scholar permit page does not list dependants.

Copies of documents from outside Zimbabwe must be notarised in the prescribed manner, Zimbabwean copies certified by a Commissioner of Oaths, translations made into English and originals presented. Time on a student permit does not count towards the ten years of lawful residence on a residence permit needed for domicile under section 3 of the Act. A lost permit can be replaced for USD 100. The head office in Harare (Chingaira Building, corner Leopold Takawira and Herbert Chitepo) answers at customercare@zimimmigration.gov.zw.