Bank Account and SIM Card in South Africa
Open a student bank account after you register at your university. Register your SIM card with your passport. This is the RICA law: every SIM card must be registered to a person. Prices are in South African rand (ZAR).
Example bank
Recent Transactions
Example: groceries
Example: rent
Example: data bundle
This is a picture to show how it looks.
Student Banking in South Africa
Two banks with accounts for foreign students.
- MyMo Account for international students.
- ZAR 6.95 a month.
- Open it at any branch.
- Account for foreign nationals with a passport and visa.
- ZAR 7.50 a month.
- Some features need proof of income.
Monthly Fees
| Bank | Monthly Fee (Student) |
|---|---|
| Standard Bank MyMo | ZAR 6.95 |
| Capitec | ZAR 7.50 |
*Fees may vary. Always check the latest information on the bank's official website.
Before you go to the bank
Register at your university first, and bring your passport, study visa and proof of address.
How to Open a Bank Account
Follow these steps once you have arrived.
Register at your university
Get your student card first.
Collect your documents
Get the documents on the list below.
Visit a branch
Go in person. Capitec scans your fingerprint to check it is you.
Start banking
At Standard Bank you can use a card inside the app (a virtual card) while you wait for your plastic card.
Essential Documents:
- Passport - Valid passport.
- Study visa - A study visa that has not run out.
- Proof of address - A paper that shows where you live. Standard Bank asks for it. Some universities give a letter that confirms your housing.
- Student card - Take your student card with your passport. The University of Cape Town (UCT) asks for this.
Additional Documents (If Available):
- Bursary or scholarship letter - At Capitec, this letter shows you have money coming in. It unlocks more account features.
Tips
Your bank account from home is not a South African account. Open a South African account for daily money.
SIM Cards and RICA
Every SIM card in South Africa must be registered under RICA before you can use it.
Buy a SIM
At the airport or in local shops, including supermarkets.
Register it (RICA)
Bring your passport. If you register in a shop, they may also ask for proof of address.
Wait for the SMS
With Vodacom (a South African phone company), you get an SMS (text message) when your SIM is registered and active.
- RICA registration is free.
- You can also register a Vodacom SIM online yourself. This is called Self RICA.
- From a mobile phone in South Africa, call 112 in an emergency.
Tips for Money and Phone
Simple tips for your first months.
Tell your bank at home
Tell your bank you are travelling, so your card is not blocked abroad.
Use a local account
A South African account saves you the bank charges of sending money from abroad for rent and daily costs.
When you leave
When you leave South Africa, Standard Bank can change your account to a non-resident account (a type for people who live abroad). Visit a branch before you leave.
Check your home phone plan
Ask your phone company at home if your phone works in South Africa, and what it costs to use it abroad (roaming).
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