No jargon, no legalese. Just clear answers to the questions people actually search — kept current for 2026. If you'd rather we just handle it, start your application.
The honest answer is yes — and most people should. Here's exactly what a lawyer does, why they charge R18,000–R30,000, and how to get the same result for R3,500.
Read the full guide →The full walkthrough — who qualifies, documents, how to apply, cost and timing, all in one place.
Read →10 min read · updated May 2026Study visaEnrolment letters, medical aid and funds — what study extensions need, and how they differ.
Read →7 min read · updated Apr 2026Repeat extensionsThe honest limits on repeat extensions — and what to do if you need to stay longer.
Read →5 min read · updated Apr 2026The complete checklist for a Section 11(1)(b) extension — what each item is, what counts, and the common mistakes that cause rejections.
Read →8 min read · updated Mar 2026RequirementsWhat Home Affairs looks for in your statements, how many months, and what to do if a sponsor is supporting you.
Read →8 min read · updated Mar 2026RequirementsThe covering letter trips people up. What to write, how long it needs to be, and how Sal can draft it for you.
Read →8 min read · updated Mar 2026Government fees, VFS service fees and the real all-in cost — versus what a lawyer would charge for the same paperwork.
Read →5 min read · updated May 2026VFS processBooking online, walk-in availability, biometrics, and what actually happens at the counter — broken down by city.
Read →7 min read · updated Mar 2026TimingPreparation time, processing time, and the all-important question: are you legal while you wait?
Read →5 min read · updated Apr 2026What a lawyer actually does for a routine extension, and how to get the same result for a fraction of the price.
Read →9 min read · updated May 2026Edge casesOverstaying is serious. An honest look at your options — and when you genuinely do need a lawyer.
Read →6 min read · updated Feb 2026TimingThe question that causes the most anxiety, answered plainly — and why applying on time is what protects you.
Read →5 min read · updated Apr 2026