Medical Treatment Visa
🇿🇦 South Africa visas · Tourism
What it is
A visitor's visa for foreign nationals travelling to South Africa for medical treatment. Issued for a maximum of six months at a time; treatment longer than three months requires a temporary residence permit. The application must include full details of who is responsible for the medical and hospital fees (proof of medical cover if an employer or scheme is liable).
Key facts
- Category
- Tourism
- Duration
- Issued for up to 6 months (DHA / Immigration Act).
- Processing time
- Up to 12 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 6 months
- Extendable
- No
- Path to permanent residence
- No
- Dependants
- No
- How to apply
- Vac
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (Immigration Act §7(1)(i))
- ZAR 425
Key requirements
- Passport valid for no less than 30 days after the intended departure
- Letter from the treating South African medical institution / practitioner
- Full details of the person or institution responsible for the medical and hospital fees (proof of medical cover where applicable)
- Proof of financial means for living expenses
- Payment of the prescribed fee (DHA Tariff, Medical Treatment Permit §17)
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 30 July 2026.