International students
We understand that moving to study in a different country can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. We're here to help make your journey a little easier.
What you get
Banking
Send and receive money easily with a MyMo Account that offers immediate international transfers and low transaction fees.
Bursaries and funding
Get valuable information on funding and bursary opportunities to help you cover your tuition and other expenses
Free lifestyle benefits
Take advantage of exclusive deals at over 80 retailers designed for student life through Varsity Vibe
Banking
Enjoy a simple and affordable, world-class banking experience with the MyMo Account. Simply visit one of our branches once you get to South Africa to open your account.
Find your nearest branch using the branch locator.
A MyMo Account offers:
- A gold card with unlimited swipes
- Flexible fees that allows you to pay for only what you use
- Lower rates when you withdraw cash at one of our selected retailers or at any ATM
- Safe online shopping when you create a Virtual Card
- Start shopping immediately with your virtual card on the Banking App while you wait for your gold card to be delivered to your branch
- Zero data costs when you use the Banking App
- Contactless payments with Tap to Pay
- Premium Varsity Vibe access which gives you even more benefits and discounts, at no cost
Did you know: If your parent or sponsor banks with a Standard Bank Non-Resident account, they can speed up the time it takes for funds to clear in your account if they link you as a beneficiary.
Bursaries and funding
Feenix is a crowdfunding platform specifically designed to help students fund their education and tackle student debt. While Feenix is available to all South African students, it is also available to international students who are refugees, asylum seekers and permanent residents.
Lifestyle benefits
Varsity Vibe offers access to exclusive deals and discounts at over 80 retailers nationwide.
Discounts and offers you can look forward to include:
- Restaurants and take-aways
- Food delivery services
- Gym membership fees
- Retail and fashion outlets
- Sporting events and festivals
- Beauty therapy and pharmacies
- Textbook Trader which allows you to buy and sell university textbooks anonymously
How to get access to Varsity Vibe deals:
- Open a MyMo Account by visiting your nearest branch when you arrive in South Africa
- Download the Varsity Vibe app and create your profile
- Upgrade to VV Premium for free
- Tap the blue Standard Bank icon
- Follow the on-screen instructions
*Discounts at various retailers are subject to change.
Your Shyft global wallet
Shyft, an award winning App, enables you to buy, sell, send and spend foreign currency with no fixed monthly fees. Using the app is free and you can make payments to anyone, anywhere with international bank transfers or Shyft-to-Shyft payments.
Shyft also provides you with the platform to invest in international shares most on the US stock markets including the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq-100. You have the freedom to select the industry you would like to invest in depending on your risk appetite and you can also track the performance of your portfolio.
Read more about Shyft Global Wallet
Saving and investments
Did you know that you also have access to growing your money by saving it in a PureSave, Tax-Free Savings, Fixed Deposit or Notice Deposit Account. You can open these accounts for free on your Banking App.
You can also take advantage of competitive rates by investing in international shares through Shyft.
-
Banking
-
Bursaries and funding
-
Lifestyle benefits
-
Your Shyft global wallet
-
Saving and investments
Enjoy a simple and affordable, world-class banking experience with the MyMo Account. Simply visit one of our branches once you get to South Africa to open your account.
Find your nearest branch using the branch locator.
A MyMo Account offers:
- A gold card with unlimited swipes
- Flexible fees that allows you to pay for only what you use
- Lower rates when you withdraw cash at one of our selected retailers or at any ATM
- Safe online shopping when you create a Virtual Card
- Start shopping immediately with your virtual card on the Banking App while you wait for your gold card to be delivered to your branch
- Zero data costs when you use the Banking App
- Contactless payments with Tap to Pay
- Premium Varsity Vibe access which gives you even more benefits and discounts, at no cost
Did you know: If your parent or sponsor banks with a Standard Bank Non-Resident account, they can speed up the time it takes for funds to clear in your account if they link you as a beneficiary.
Feenix is a crowdfunding platform specifically designed to help students fund their education and tackle student debt. While Feenix is available to all South African students, it is also available to international students who are refugees, asylum seekers and permanent residents.
Varsity Vibe offers access to exclusive deals and discounts at over 80 retailers nationwide.
Discounts and offers you can look forward to include:
- Restaurants and take-aways
- Food delivery services
- Gym membership fees
- Retail and fashion outlets
- Sporting events and festivals
- Beauty therapy and pharmacies
- Textbook Trader which allows you to buy and sell university textbooks anonymously
How to get access to Varsity Vibe deals:
- Open a MyMo Account by visiting your nearest branch when you arrive in South Africa
- Download the Varsity Vibe app and create your profile
- Upgrade to VV Premium for free
- Tap the blue Standard Bank icon
- Follow the on-screen instructions
*Discounts at various retailers are subject to change.
Shyft, an award winning App, enables you to buy, sell, send and spend foreign currency with no fixed monthly fees. Using the app is free and you can make payments to anyone, anywhere with international bank transfers or Shyft-to-Shyft payments.
Shyft also provides you with the platform to invest in international shares most on the US stock markets including the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq-100. You have the freedom to select the industry you would like to invest in depending on your risk appetite and you can also track the performance of your portfolio.
Read more about Shyft Global Wallet
Did you know that you also have access to growing your money by saving it in a PureSave, Tax-Free Savings, Fixed Deposit or Notice Deposit Account. You can open these accounts for free on your Banking App.
You can also take advantage of competitive rates by investing in international shares through Shyft.
Useful articles
Frequently asked questions for international students
If you are coming to South Africa to study, you probably have a lot of questions. From applying for a study visa to which bank account you can open, here are some answers to help get you started.
Help pay your student debt through Feenix Crowdfunding
You are driven by your goals, and getting a tertiary qualification is often the first step many of us take in our journey towards success.
Medical aid requirements for international students in South Africa
Starting your life as an international student can be exciting but also overwhelming. One crucial step is ensuring your well-being by getting medical aid. This isn't just a checklist item; it's peace of mind in a new environment.
What you need to know about applying for a South African study visa
If you’re planning to come to South Africa to study, you’ll need to apply for a study visa.
What you need to know about scholarships and bursaries for international students
Whether you’re looking for a bursary or scholarship, you can secure financing for your studies before coming to South Africa or while you’re already studying in the country.
What you need to know about working while on a study visa
Like many other students in South Africa, you might want to find a job to help pay for your studies, pay for extra day-to-day needs, or earn a little extra to explore your new city or country.