South Africa has removed one of the longstanding documents required in many immigration applications.
Under Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026, applicants for South African visas and permanent-residence permits no longer have to submit the immigration medical report previously required under the Immigration Regulations.
The directive was signed by Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber on 8 July 2026 and published in Government Gazette No. 55016 on 17 July 2026.
The most important detail is the effective date:
The waiver took effect on 8 July 2026, the date the minister signed the directive - not the later gazette publication date.
It applies not only to future applications but also to applications that were already pending adjudication when the directive came into force.
For thousands of foreign workers, students, spouses, retirees and permanent-residence applicants, this removes a document that previously required a medical practitioner to complete the prescribed immigration medical certificate.
But applicants should be careful not to misunderstand the change.
The directive removes the medical report requirement. It does not automatically abolish every other health, police, insurance, vaccination or category-specific document that may apply to a visa application.
Quick Answer
IMMIGRATION AND VISAS
South Africa Removes Medical Reports From Visa Applications
Aug 7, 2026
Aug 7, 2026
29 min read
Published
Updated:
South Africa has removed one of the longstanding documents required in many immigration applications.
Under Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026, applicants for South African visas and permanent-residence permits no longer have to submit the immigration medical report previously required under the Immigration Regulations.
The directive was signed by Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber on 8 July 2026 and published in Government Gazette No. 55016 on 17 July 2026.
The most important detail is the effective date:
The waiver took effect on 8 July 2026, the date the minister signed the directive - not the later gazette publication date.
It applies not only to future applications but also to applications that were already pending adjudication when the directive came into force.
For thousands of foreign workers, students, spouses, retirees and permanent-residence applicants, this removes a document that previously required a medical practitioner to complete the prescribed immigration medical certificate.
But applicants should be careful not to misunderstand the change.
The directive removes the medical report requirement. It does not automatically abolish every other health, police, insurance, vaccination or category-specific document that may apply to a visa application.
Quick Answer
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has issued a blanket waiver of the requirement to submit a medical report with:
Visa applications for temporary sojourn in South Africa; and
Permanent-residence permit applications.
The waiver is contained in Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026.
It:
Took effect on 8 July 2026
Applies to future applications
Applies to applications currently pending adjudication
Removes the immigration medical-report requirement
Does not require applicants to submit an individual waiver request for that medical report
Has been communicated to Home Affairs officials, Visa Facilitation Centres and consular services
Has also been published by VFS Global for South African visa and permit applicants
If an old checklist still asks for the DHA-811 or BI-811 medical report, applicants should check the latest Home Affairs, VFS or South African mission guidance before paying for a medical examination.
What Exactly Did Home Affairs Change?
Directive No. 10 of 2026 uses the Minister of Home Affairs' waiver powers under section 31(2)(c) of the Immigration Act, 2002.
The directive waives the requirements contained in:
Regulation 9(1)(c) for visa applicants; and
Regulation 23(1)(f) for permanent-residence applicants,
insofar as those provisions concern submission of a medical report.
That wording matters.
The directive is not a temporary concession allowing someone to stay in South Africa while an application is delayed.
It is a document-requirement waiver.
In practical terms, the medical report is no longer supposed to be treated as a mandatory supporting document for applications covered by the directive.
When Did the Medical Report Waiver Take Effect?
The directive was:
Signed: 8 July 2026
Published in the Government Gazette: 17 July 2026
The directive expressly says that it comes into operation on the date of signature.
That means the operative date is 8 July 2026.
This distinction is important for people who submitted applications between 8 July and 17 July.
The waiver was already in force during that period even though the gazette publication followed later.
Does the Waiver Apply to Applications Already Submitted?
Yes.
The directive explicitly says it applies to:
All future visa applications
All future permanent-residence applications
Applications currently pending adjudication
This is one of the most significant parts of the change.
If an applicant already submitted a visa or permanent-residence application and the case is still waiting for a decision, Directive No. 10 applies to that pending application.
Applicants should not assume that they need to obtain and add a medical report simply because the application was lodged before the directive was published.
If Home Affairs or a processing centre requests additional documents in a particular case, however, the applicant should read that request carefully and verify whether it concerns the now-waived immigration medical report or a different document required for another reason.
Which Applications Are Covered?
The wording of the directive is broad.
It refers to applicants for a visa to temporarily sojourn in the Republic and applicants for a permanent residence permit.
That means the waiver is relevant across South Africa's temporary-residence visa and permanent-residence systems wherever the underlying Immigration Regulations required the medical report.
Depending on individual eligibility and application location, this can include applicants pursuing categories such as:
Study visas
General Work Visas
Critical Skills Work Visas
Intra-company Transfer Visas
Business visas
Relative's visas
Retired Person Visas
Exchange visas
Certain visitor visas for longer stays or authorised activities
Accompanying-family or dependant applications where the regulation previously required the medical report
Permanent-residence applications
The waiver does not mean that every listed category has identical application requirements.
Each visa type still has its own supporting documents, eligibility conditions and application procedures.
What Was the South African Immigration Medical Report?
Before the waiver, many applicants were required to submit a prescribed medical report, commonly associated with the DHA-811 or BI-811 medical certificate.
The form was completed by a medical practitioner and dealt with the applicant's general medical condition and certain recurring health conditions.
For applicants in countries where medical appointments, certification or access to the prescribed form were difficult, the requirement could add cost and time to the immigration process.
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Directive No. 10 removes the requirement to submit this immigration medical report for covered visa and permanent-residence applications.
Do You Need to Submit Something Else Instead?
The directive does not create a replacement medical document.
It waives the requirement to submit the medical report.
In other words, applicants should not assume they must replace the old medical certificate with:
A doctor's letter
A general health certificate
A hospital report
A private medical examination
A self-declaration of health
unless another specific rule or visa category independently requires such a document.
The safest approach is to follow the latest official checklist for the exact visa category while applying Directive No. 10 to the old medical-report item.
Is the Radiological Report Also Required?
Applicants should distinguish the medical report from the old radiological report.
They are not the same document.
The 2026 medical-report waiver does not itself remove the radiological report because that requirement had already been dealt with earlier.
In May 2024, South Africa's Second Amendment of the Immigration Regulations deleted the definition of a "radiological report" from the Immigration Regulations as part of broader visa-reform measures.
Home Affairs also publicly described the 2024 reforms as removing the requirement to submit a radiology report.
So the correct timeline is:
2024: The radiological-report requirement was removed through immigration-regulation reform.
8 July 2026: Directive No. 10 waived the remaining immigration medical-report requirement.
Applicants may still find old medical or radiological forms hosted on government or VFS webpages.
The existence of an old downloadable form does not by itself prove that the form is still required.
Always compare old forms with the latest directive and current application checklist.
Has the Police Clearance Requirement Been Removed?
No.
Directive No. 10 concerns the medical report.
It does not say that police-clearance certificates are abolished.
Police-clearance rules have been amended separately over time, including changes to the period of residence that may trigger a police-clearance requirement.
Applicants should follow the current police-clearance requirements for their specific immigration category and application location.
Do not omit a police certificate simply because the medical report has been waived.
What About Yellow-Fever Certificates?
A yellow-fever vaccination certificate is a separate travel-health and entry issue.
Directive No. 10 does not say that South Africa's yellow-fever rules are cancelled.
Travellers whose journey originates in or passes through a country that triggers South Africa's yellow-fever requirements should continue checking current Port Health and immigration guidance.
A medical report for a visa application and a yellow-fever vaccination certificate serve different legal and public-health purposes.
The waiver of one does not automatically waive the other.
What About Medical Insurance or Medical Cover?
Medical insurance or medical cover is also a separate issue.
For example, certain immigration categories- particularly study-related applications - may have their own medical-cover requirements.
Directive No. 10 removes the prescribed medical report, not every requirement containing the word "medical."
Applicants should distinguish among:
Medical report
Medical insurance
Medical aid or medical cover
Treatment documentation
Vaccination certificates
Public-health entry requirements
These documents serve different purposes.
What About a Medical Treatment Visa?
A medical treatment visa is an immigration category for a person travelling to South Africa for treatment.
It should not be confused with the medical report that has now been waived.
A person applying for a medical treatment visa may still need documents proving matters such as:
The planned medical treatment
The medical institution or practitioner
Treatment dates
Estimated costs
Financial arrangements
Accommodation or care arrangements
Directive No. 10 does not abolish the medical treatment visa or erase the category-specific evidence needed to prove the purpose of that application.
VFS Global Has Published the Waiver
The directive itself says its contents must be brought to the attention of officials in the permitting environment and must also be published on the VFS website.
VFS Global subsequently published an update dated 22 July 2026 stating that applicants are no longer required to obtain medical reports for visa and permit application purposes under the waiver.
That makes the change more than a document sitting in the Government Gazette.
It has been operationally communicated to the company processing many South African visa and permit applications.
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Applicants using VFS should nevertheless check the live checklist for their exact visa category before their appointment.
Why Some Embassy or Consulate Checklists May Still Show the Old Rule
South Africa's diplomatic network contains many visa pages, PDF checklists and downloadable forms.
Not every webpage is updated at the same time.
That creates a predictable problem after a rule change:
The law or directive changes first, while an older embassy webpage or PDF may continue to display the previous checklist.
This is already visible.
For example, the South African High Commission in Canberra now expressly states that, under Directive No. 10 of 2026, submission of a medical report for a visa or permanent-residence permit is no longer required.
At the same time, some other official South African mission webpages still display older visa instructions referring to a BI-811 medical report.
This does not mean Directive No. 10 applies in one country but not another.
It means applicants should verify whether the particular checklist they are reading has been updated after 8 July 2026.
What Should You Do If an Old Checklist Still Asks for a Medical Report?
Do not immediately assume the directive is wrong.
Instead:
1. Check the Date of the Checklist
Look for:
Publication date
Last updated date
PDF creation date
References to older immigration rules
A checklist created before 8 July 2026 may simply be outdated.
2. Check VFS Global
If your application is being processed through VFS, check the current VFS South Africa immigration website and the 22 July 2026 medical-report notice.
3. Check the South African Mission
If applying through an embassy, high commission or consulate, check the mission's latest visa page.
Some missions have already added the new waiver.
4. Keep a Copy of Directive No. 10
Applicants may find it useful to have the official one-page directive available during an appointment, especially while older checklists are being updated.
5. Ask for Written Clarification
If the mission or processing centre still insists that the waived medical report is mandatory, request clarification referencing:
Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026 — Blanket Waiver: Requirement to Submit a Medical Report for Visa and Permanent Residence Applications.
Whenever possible, obtain the answer in writing.
Do You Need to Apply for an Individual Medical-Report Waiver?
No separate individual waiver should be needed for the medical-report requirement covered by Directive No. 10.
The minister has issued a blanket waiver.
That is different from an applicant separately requesting discretionary relief from an immigration requirement.
The directive applies at the system level to the medical-report requirement it identifies.
Does the Waiver Reduce Visa Fees?
The directive does not state that application fees have been reduced.
Removing a supporting document can reduce the applicant's private costs—for example, the cost of a medical consultation or completing a prescribed form—but visa and VFS charges remain separate.
Applicants should use the latest official fee schedule for their visa category.
Do not rely on old blogs or visa-agent websites for current fees.
Does the Waiver Make Visa Approval Easier?
It simplifies the document list, but it does not guarantee approval.
Applicants must still satisfy the legal requirements of the visa or permanent-residence category they are applying under.
Home Affairs can still assess matters such as:
Eligibility
Purpose of stay
Employment or job-offer requirements
Qualifications
Financial means
Family relationship
Police clearance where required
Immigration history
Passport validity
Supporting letters
Category-specific documentation
The removal of one document should not be confused with automatic eligibility.
Does the Waiver Apply to Permanent Residence?
Yes.
The directive expressly refers to applicants for a permanent residence permit.
It waives the medical-report requirement contained in the relevant permanent-residence regulation and applies to:
Future applications; and
Permanent-residence applications already pending adjudication.
Permanent residence remains a separate immigration process with its own substantive eligibility rules and supporting documents.
The waiver removes only the medical-report requirement identified in the directive.
What Should Applicants With Pending Cases Do?
If your application is already pending:
Do not obtain a medical report solely because an old checklist originally required one.
Keep a copy of Directive No. 10 for your records.
Monitor your VFS, Home Affairs or mission communication.
Respond to any formal request for additional information within the stated deadline.
If a request appears to demand the now-waived medical report, ask the processing authority to confirm whether the request was issued under an outdated checklist or whether it concerns a different document.
Do not ignore a formal Home Affairs communication without checking what it actually asks for.
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Before-and-After Checklist
Document or Requirement | Before Directive No. 10 | Position After 8 July 2026 |
Immigration medical report / DHA-811 | Commonly required in covered applications | Waived under Directive No. 10 |
Radiological report | Historically required | Removed separately through 2024 immigration reforms |
Police clearance | Required where applicable | Not abolished by Directive No. 10 |
Yellow-fever certificate | Required for applicable travel histories | Not abolished by Directive No. 10 |
Medical insurance / cover | Category-specific | Check the visa category; not automatically waived |
Passport | Required | Still required |
Financial evidence | Category-specific | Still required where applicable |
Employment documents | Work-visa specific | Still required where applicable |
Qualification/SAQA evidence | Category-specific | Still required where applicable |
Relationship documents | Family categories | Still required where applicable |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Paying for a Medical Report Because an Old PDF Still Lists It
Check when the PDF was issued.
A pre-July 2026 checklist may no longer reflect the current rule.
Mistake 2: Assuming Every Health-Related Document Is Gone
The directive only addresses the immigration medical report.
Other health, insurance or vaccination requirements may exist independently.
Mistake 3: Confusing a Medical Report With a Medical Treatment Visa
The document and visa category are different.
Mistake 4: Assuming Police Clearance Is Also Waived
It is not waived by Directive No. 10.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Category-Specific Documents
A work visa still needs work-related evidence. A study visa still needs study-related evidence. Permanent residence still has its own eligibility documents.
Mistake 6: Trusting an Immigration Agent Over the Gazette
Where there is a conflict, start with the official directive, current Home Affairs/VFS guidance and the relevant South African mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did South Africa remove the medical report from visa applications?
Yes. Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026 grants a blanket waiver of the medical-report requirement for covered visa applications.
Does the waiver also apply to permanent residence?
Yes. Permanent-residence applications are expressly included.
When did the waiver start?
The directive took effect on 8 July 2026, the date it was signed.
Why does the Government Gazette show 17 July?
That is the gazette publication date. The directive itself says it comes into operation on the date of signature, which is 8 July 2026.
Does it apply to applications already pending?
Yes. The directive expressly applies to applications currently pending adjudication.
Do I still need the DHA-811 or BI-811 medical certificate?
For the immigration medical-report requirement covered by Directive No. 10, the medical report has been waived. Check the latest official checklist for your specific application in case a differently named health document is required for another reason.
Do I need a doctor's letter instead?
The directive does not state that another general doctor's letter replaces the waived medical report.
Has the chest X-ray or radiological report also been removed?
The radiological-report requirement had already been removed separately through the 2024 amendments to the Immigration Regulations. Directive No. 10 deals specifically with the medical report.
Do I still need police clearance?
Where police clearance is required for your application, yes. Directive No. 10 does not abolish police-clearance requirements.
Do I still need yellow-fever vaccination proof?
If yellow-fever rules apply to your travel itinerary, the medical-report waiver does not cancel them.
Do international students still need medical cover?
Applicants should check the current study-visa requirements. The waiver of the immigration medical report does not automatically remove separate medical-cover or insurance requirements.
Does this apply at VFS Global?
VFS Global published an official update on 22 July 2026 stating that medical reports are no longer required for visa and permit application purposes under the waiver.
What if VFS asks me for a medical report anyway?
Show the current VFS notice and Directive No. 10 and ask staff to verify the current checklist. If necessary, request clarification from a supervisor rather than relying only on an older printed list.
What if a South African embassy still lists BI-811?
Check whether the page has been updated since 8 July 2026. Contact the mission and reference Directive No. 10 before paying for a medical examination solely because of the old webpage.
Does the waiver guarantee my visa will be approved?
No. It removes one supporting-document requirement. All other eligibility conditions continue to apply.
Is the waiver temporary?
Directive No. 10 does not state an expiry date on its face. Applicants should nevertheless check for later directives, amendments or revised regulations before applying.
Official Sources
Government Gazette — Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202607/55016gon7714.pdf
Department of Home Affairs copy of Gazette No. 55016: https://www.dha.gov.za/images/gazettes/2026/55016-17-7-26.pdf
VFS Global notice — Medical Reports, 22 July 2026: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/dha/news/medical-reports
VFS Global — South Africa Department of Home Affairs visa and permit portal: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/dha
South African High Commission in Canberra — updated visa guidance referencing Directive No. 10: https://dirco.gov.za/canberra/visas-to-south-africa/
Government Gazette — Second Amendment of the Immigration Regulations, 20 May 2024: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202405/50675rg11704gon4847.pdf
XTRAfrica Verification Note
This explainer was verified on 7 August 2026 against the official one-page Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026, the Department of Home Affairs copy, current VFS Global guidance and current South African diplomatic-mission webpages.
The official directive confirms that:
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber signed the waiver on 8 July 2026.
It was gazetted on 17 July 2026.
It waives the medical-report requirement for visa applicants and permanent-residence applicants.
It took effect on the date of signature.
It applies to all future applications and applications already pending adjudication.
Officials in the permitting environment, VFS Global and consular services were instructed to be informed of the directive.
VFS Global published a notice on 22 July 2026 confirming that medical reports are no longer required for visa and permit application purposes under the waiver.
XTRAfrica also found that some official South African mission pages still contain older medical-report language, while other missions have already updated their guidance to reflect Directive No. 10.
Because of that transition, applicants should verify the latest checklist for their application location before an appointment.
This article should be reviewed whenever:
Home Affairs issues another immigration directive
Immigration Regulations are amended
VFS changes its visa-category checklists
South African embassies or consulates update their document lists
New permanent-residence application procedures are published
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