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South Africa waives medical report requirement for Visa and Permanent Residence applications

🇿🇦 South AfricaEntry Rules1 recorded versionLast change 12 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The medical-report requirement is waived for temporary residence visa and permanent residence applications. The waiver applies to applications submitted in South Africa and abroad and, following the Department's clarification, to pending applications as well as new applications. All other immigration requirements remain in place.

Overview

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has officially launched the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system on 12 August 2026. This new digital platform is designed to modernise the country's immigration process, enhancing security through biometric verification and automated risk analysis while facilitating legitimate travel and combating visa fraud. It aims to streamline entry for short-term visitors and will eventually expand to cover all visa categories, including study, spousal, and work visas.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Temporary residence visa applicants
  • Permanent residence applicants
  • Applicants inside South Africa
  • Applicants outside South Africa
  • Applicants with pending applications
  • Work visa applicants
  • Study visa applicants
  • Business visa applicants
  • Critical Skills visa applicants
  • General Work visa applicants
  • Retired Person visa applicants

What changed in the latest version

Before

Applicants for a temporary residence visa and a permanent residence permit usually had to provide a medical report. This report confirmed that they had a medical examination. The report usually had to be less than six months old when they submitted it.

After

Applicants no longer need to provide a medical report for a temporary residence visa or permanent residence application. This waiver applies to applications made in South Africa and applications made abroad. The Department has also confirmed it applies to applications waiting for a decision, as well as new applications. All other immigration requirements remain in place.

This waiver makes the application process simpler for everyone applying for a visa or permanent residence in South Africa. It removes a document that was mandatory. Applicants will have less paperwork. They may also prepare their applications more quickly. This is because they no longer need to arrange and get a medical report. The directive changes the list of documents needed for new applications. It may also affect applications that are waiting for a decision. The text does not give details about how this change applies to ongoing applications. This change removes a step that could cause delays or extra costs for applicants.

Explained simply

Hey, if you want to move to South Africa or get a visa to visit for a long time, you used to have to get a doctor's check-up and turn in a report. But now, you don't have to anymore! South Africa has decided to skip that step for everyone applying for these things, making it a bit easier.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v3Effective 8 Jul 2026EffectiveHigh impact
    South Africa waives medical report requirement for Visa and Permanent Residence applications

    South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has issued Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026. This directive removes the need for applicants to provide a medical report. This applies to applications for a temporary residence visa and applications for permanent residence. The waiver applies whether the application is made inside or outside South Africa. It also covers applications that are already waiting for a decision.

Timeline

  1. Announced

    1 Jan 2026

    Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026, published in Gazette No. 55016, introduces a blanket waiver for the mandatory submission of a medical report for all visa and permanent residence applications in South Africa. This change simplifies the application process by removing a previous requirement. The directive became effective upon its gazetting.

  2. Takes effect

    1 Jan 2026

    Applicants for visas and permanent residence are not required to submit a medical report.

Other routes in this country

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