MEDICAL VISA

This is a permit issued to foreigners intending to visit South Africa for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment

A medical treatment visa may be issued for a maximum period of six (6) months at a time.

Except in the case of medical treatment OR if the applicant is the spouse or dependent child of the holder of a business or work visa, the holder of a port of entry visa, visitor’s visa and medical treatment visa may not apply for a change of conditions of an existing visa, unless he or she is in possession of a letter issued on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs that good cause had been demonstrated for the submission of such an application.

Important Information on Applying for South African Visas

Applicants for visas will be required to apply in person at the South African mission. No appointment necessary.

PLEASE NOTE:

IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH REGULATION 2(1) (A) OF THE IMMIGRATION ACT OF 2014, ONLY MACHINE READABLE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (MRTDs) WILL BE ACCEPTED ON SUBMISSION OF VISA APPLICATIONS AND AT PORT OF ENTRY. THEREFORE, NO EXTENDED PASSPORTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Checklist: Application filed at Missions

  • Machine readable valid passport with at least two (2) unused (blank) pages labeled Visa when presented at the Embassy or Consulate; one page for affixing the visa or permit by the embassy/consulate and the other page for endorsement of entry/departure stamp by the South African Immigration Services. Passport must be valid for 30 more days after the intended return date from South Africa.

    PLEASE NOTE: In order to comply with Regulation 2(1) (A) of the Immigration Act of 2014, only machine readable travel documents (MRTDs) will be accepted on submission of visa applications and at Port of Entry. Therefore, no extended passports will be accepted.

  • A duly completed application form DHA-1738 signed by applicant
  • Certified/notarized copy of bio page of the passport
  • Two (2) passport photos with white or light background
  • Proof of itinerary/reservation of round trip air tickets. Please do not purchase air tickets until you obtain a South African visa.
  • Proof of sufficient financial means or provision for the costs indirectly related to the treatment (in a form of recent three (3) months bank statement stamped by the bank
  • Proof of legal status for non-U.S. citizens (Certified/notarized copy of greencard, H1B, F1, J1, etc.)
  • Proof of hotel accommodation (confirmed hotel reservation) or a letter of invitation from the host with proof of address (relative or friend) in South Africa
  • Proof of host’s legal status in South Africa (copy of I.D. Book/ passport if South African citizen) or copy of passport and a copy of visa or residence status in South Africa, certified by the South African Police Service.
  • A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if the applicant traveled or intends traveling from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic area.
  • Medical report on prescribed form (physical). The certificate must not be older than six (6) months at the time the applicant submits an application.
  • Radiological report on prescribed form (chest X-ray). Radiological report is not required in respect of children under the age of 12 years or a pregnant woman. The certificate must not be older than six (6) months at the time the applicant submits an application.
  • Original FBI certificate (full criminal background check report) and original police clearance certificate from each country where the relevant applicant resided for 12 months or longer after attaining the age of 18 years in respect of criminal records or the character of that applicant, which certificate shall not be older than six months at the time of its submission.
  • Non-refundable fee of $36.00 money order for processing
  • Letter from the applicant’s medical practitioner or medical institution within the Republic of South Africa confirming-
    • that space is available at the medical institution;
    • the estimated costs of the treatment;
    • whether or not the disease or ailment is treatable or curable;
    • the treatment schedule; and
    • the period of intended treatment in the Republic.
  • The details of, and confirmation by, the person or institution responsible for the medical expenses and hospital fees; (Provided that in a case where the applicant’s medical scheme or employer is not liable for expenses incurred, proof of financial means to cover medical costs).
  • The particulars of the persons accompanying the applicant
  • Attention New York Applicants: The South African Consulate General in New York will no longer accept prepaid envelope/labels from FedEx and UPS with immediate effect. Applicants are welcome to enclose only USPS self-addressed, pre-paid courier envelope for this office to facilitate return services.
  • Attention Washington, DC Applicants:  With immediate effect, the South African Embassy in Washington, DC will no longer accept a $16.00 fee to facilitate return services, but will accept a prepaid envelope with a tracking number from either FedEx or US Postal Service.
  • Processing time for long visas exceeding 90 days may take up to 3 to 4 weeks.
  • Where to submit your application