Absa | Get a suitable youth or student banking account

Whether you’re in school, a tertiary student or simply want to save, we’ve got a bank account to get you en route to financial greatness.

Open a Student Account and save on monthly banking fees

Get more with a zero monthly fee student account.

Card with benefits

A student account for everyday transactions and loaded with cool perks at no extra cost.

Tell me more

Access to Study Loan

Finance your tuition fees, textbooks and more with a study loan.

Tell me more

Save for your future

Start saving for your dream goal with as little as R50 a month using Absa Instant Savings.

Tell me more

Get financially savvy with Absa

Expand your knowledge on money matters and understand your finances better.

Tell me more

What you need to open your account
To be 18 – 27 years old

Must be a full-time student studying towards an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or qualification of one year or more

A valid, bar-coded South African ID or passport

Proof of residence not more than three months old (e.g. proof of registration at a tertiary institution on their letterhead indicating your name and surname, an address and signature of a mandated official or a utility bill or cell phone statement).
Where to apply
Apply online.

Apply on the Banking App.

You can apply at your chosen student bureau, which is located at most tertiary institutions.

You can go to your nearest Absa branch with your necessary documents.
Talk to us

Speak to an Absa consultant to help you apply for a Student Account.

We can call you back or you can call us directly on 08600 08600.

Apply now Compare accounts

MegaU - the no monthly fee youth account

With zero monthly fees and loads of monthly value-adds, MegaU is the ideal bank account for under 20s. Want to take it to the next level?

Zero fees

No monthly fee, plus free card swipes and Absa ATM cash withdrawals.

Tell me more

What you need to open your account
Youths between the ages 16 to 20 years

Original birth certificate, a valid bar-coded South African ID, Temporary ID or a valid passport with a valid visa for foreign nationals

Proof of residence not older than three months (e.g. utility bill or cellphone statement)

Minors under the age of 16

Original unabridged birth certificate (for abridged certificates – also include one of the listed documents*) or valid passport with a valid visa for foreign nationals

Parent or guardian's proof of residence not older than three months (e.g. utility bill or cellphone statement)

Parental consent to open and manage the account

Parent or guardian's original bar-coded ID or Temporary ID or a valid passport with visa for foreign nationals

*Children raised by a grandparent/guardian/relative and abridged birth certificate holders

Proof of Legal Guardianship

A dated letter from the chief/tribal authority or municipal official of the area confirming guardianship of the child; or

A dated letter from the school the minor attends confirming the unofficial guardian or single parent; or

A dated baptism letter from a church; or

A dated letter from the hospital confirming they have record of single mother giving birth to said minor child
Apply at a branch or online

Open a MegaU account at an Absa branch or online.
Talk to us

Speak to one of our consultants for help with your MegaU account application.

We can call you back or you can call us directly on 0860 100 372
How to apply

Visit your nearest branch

Compare accounts

Reap rewards early with Absa Instant Savings

Want to reach your goals faster? Start saving when you’re young and you’ll be able to do exactly that. Get started with our Absa Instant Savings account to benefit with from great interest rates and more.

Zero fees

No monthly administration fees.

Save for your future

Start saving from as little as R50.

Monitor your savings

Immediate access and control over your savings.

Tell me more

What you need to apply for Absa Instant Savings
Requirements for ages 18 and older

A minimum opening amount of R50

South African citizenship

Identity document or birth certificate

Proof of residence, not more than three months old (e.g. utility bill, lease or rent agreement, cell phone statement).

Requirements for minors under the age of 18

A minimum opening amount of R50

South African citizenship

Identity document or birth certificate

Proof of residence, not more than three months old (e.g. utility bill, lease or rent agreement, cell phone statement)

Parental consent to open and operate the account

Parent or guardian’s ID document.
Apply at an Absa branch or online

Go to your nearest Absa branch with your necessary documents or apply online for your Absa Instant Savings account.
Apply at your student bureau

You can go to your chosen student bureau with the necessary documents to apply for your Absa Instant Savings account.
Talk to us

Speak to an Absa consultant to help you apply for a TruSave account.

We can call you back or you can call us directly on 0860 111 515.

Apply now Compare accounts

Switch to Absa

Switching to Absa couldn’t be easier. Simply choose the bank account that suits your lifestyle and fill in the online application.

Choose your account
MegaU Youth Account

Student Silver Account
Switch my debit orders and salary
Once you have opened an Absa account, you can switch your debit orders and your salary. All you need to do is:

Complete your online debit order and salary switching request here.

OR

Complete this debit order and salary switching request and email it to switchingenquiries@absa.co.za or fax it to 086 753 3537.

It is that simple!

Switch now

Once we receive your request, we will keep you updated of the progress. The next steps are:

You will receive an SMS or email (based on your preferences) to let you know that we have received your request.

We submit your request to each service provider and follow up with them until everything is switched. Here are companies that will not allow Absa to switch on your behalf; you can contact them to process your request.

There are some service providers that need more information to switch — so within 48 hours we will send you an update on the status of this, and the next steps to follow to help you complete the switching process.

Within two weeks after submitting your request you will receive confirmation of the deduction date for all successfully switched debit orders.

If there are still any outstanding debit orders not switched, within four weeks, we will send you confirmation of the deduction date for all successfully switched debit orders.

If there are any outstanding debit orders not switched within six weeks, we will contact you with an update and the next steps to be taken; but please don’t close your old account until all your debit orders and salary have been switched to ensure that your payments at these providers are always up to date.
Need more support? Talk to us

Call us on:

0860 100 372

Email us at:

switchingenquiries@absa.co.za
Switching FAQs
How long does it take to complete the switching form?

The online form takes a few minutes to fill in. Once you have completed the switching request, submit the form and we'll take care of the rest.

Email us at: switchingenquiries@absa.co.za

How can I track my switching request?

You can track your request through this link or by calling 0860 100 372.

What is important to remember when completing the form?

There are two options available:

Salary switch, which requires you to fill in your employer’s information.

Debit order switch, which requires you to complete a list of your current debit orders.

Complete all your personal details and don’t forget to provide us with your contact details.

Don’t forget to add your Absa account details and the details of your previous bank account.

When filling in the details of your debit orders, make sure that all reference numbers are filled in accurately, otherwise we will not be able to find your debit order.

How long does it take for the switch to be completed?

Switching will take up to six weeks to complete, depending on the service providers you have debit orders with. We will however keep you updated on the progress.

Does switching cost anything?

No, switching is free!

Do I need my spouse’s consent to switch a debit order?

No, you do not need your spouse’s consent to switch an Absa debit order. However, if the service provider needs more information they will contact you directly.

Do all service providers accept debit order or salary switching instructions from Absa?

No. Some service providers will only switch on your direct instruction and will not accept switching instructions from Absa.

All employers will only switch on your direct instruction and will not accept switching instructions from Absa.

We will however help you initiate the process by providing you with switching letters to send to these service providers and employers.

See the list of all service providers, who do not accept Absa-initiated debit order or salary switching instructions.

Will Absa be able to switch my internal stop orders and beneficiary payments?

Unfortunately not, but you can have this done by either visiting your nearest Absa branch or on Absa Online.

Can Absa change the date when a debit order is due?

No, only you can change your debit order due dates.

When do I need to close my old account?

You can close your old account after:

You have confirmation that all your debit orders and salaries have been switched.

Your first run of debit orders has come off your new account.

Your salary has been paid into your Absa account.