- Home Affairs removes the requirement to submit medical reports with visa and permanent residence applications.
- The waiver applies immediately to all future applications and those already awaiting a decision.
- The directive was issued under the Immigration Act and published in the Government Gazette.
People applying for South African visas and permanent residence permits no longer have to submit medical reports.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber has issued a blanket waiver, removing this long-standing requirement. The change is effective immediately for both new applications and those pending a decision.
The directive only removes the requirement to submit a medical report. All other documentary and legal requirements for visa and permanent residence applications remain unchanged.
This waiver is set out in Ministerial Immigration Directive No 10 of 2026, published in Government Gazette No. 55016 on 17 July 2026. Schreiber signed the directive on 8 July 2026, under Section 31(2)(c) of the Immigration Act, 2002.
Blanket waiver takes effect
The directive exempts applicants for temporary visas and permanent residence permits from submitting the medical reports that were previously required under the Immigration Regulations.
Schreiber said he has granted a waiver to applicants seeking to temporarily stay in South Africa, as well as those applying for permanent residence, removing the requirement to submit a medical report. This exemption covers the requirements contained in Regulations 9(1)(c) and 23(1)(f) of the Immigration Regulations.
New and pending applications covered
The directive states that the waiver is effective from the date it was signed. It applies to future applications as well as those that have already been submitted and are still awaiting a decision.
This means that applicants whose visa or permanent residence applications have not yet been finalised will also benefit from the removal of the medical report requirement.
Officials instructed to implement directive
Schreiber has directed that all officials working in the permitting environment be informed of the new requirements.
He also instructed that the contents of the directive be published on the VFS website so that visa and permanent residence applicants are aware of these changes.
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