Short visits from SADC countries
Citizens of several SADC member states, including Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique, may enter South Africa without a visa for short visits. Where the expected stay for treatment, recovery and follow-up exceeds the visa-exempt period, or where the purpose of travel is medical treatment, a Medical Treatment Visa may be required.
Medical Treatment Visa
Applications are made through the South African mission or its appointed visa facilitation centre in your country. Typical supporting documents include:
- A valid passport with sufficient validity and blank pages
- A letter from your doctor, and from the practice, confirming the referral and appointment
- Confirmation of the admitting hospital
- Proof of the means to pay for treatment, such as a medical aid pre-authorisation or guarantee of payment
- Details of any accompanying family member or carer
- Return travel arrangements
Requirements change
The Department of Home Affairs updates visa requirements from time to time. Always confirm the current list of documents with the South African mission or visa facilitation centre before applying.
Supporting letter from the practice
Once your referral has been received and an appointment has been scheduled, the rooms can issue a letter on request confirming the referral and appointment date. The letter contains only the information needed for the visa application and does not contain a diagnosis, because no diagnosis is made until you have been seen in person.