South Africa: Medical Report Requirement Waived for Certain Visa Types

Update July 20, 2026: The Department of Home Affairs has published a directive clarifying that the waiver of the medical report requirement also applies to visa and permanent residence applications that are currently pending adjudication.

June 10, 2026: Effective immediately, individuals submitting temporary residence visa applications in South Africa and individuals submitting permanent residence permit applications both in South Africa and abroad are no longer required to submit a medical report as part of their supporting documentation. The previously required medical reports confirmed that the applicant had undergone a medical examination and did not have serious infectious diseases or medical conditions that could pose a risk. This initiative is expected to further streamline South Africa’s immigration process by reducing unnecessary administrative barriers, building on previous reforms such as the elimination of the radiology report for certain visa and permit types in 2023.  

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.