South Africa Medical Treatment Visa Checklist
Updated September 2026 · The Medical Treatment Visa allows a foreigner to travel to South Africa to receive medical treatment for up to 6 months per visit. It is a temporary residence visa with a specific document list, and it is separate from the short visitor's route for medical purposes. This page covers South Africa rules. Verified against the official Department of Home Affairs page, 2026-09-29.
The short answer
If you are travelling to South Africa for medical treatment and expect to stay for more than 3 months, you apply for the Medical Treatment Visa, which is a temporary residence permit valid for a maximum of 6 months per visit. A holder may not work or seek work in South Africa. If the treatment visit is 3 months or less, the visitor's visa route for medical purposes is the relevant one; the two are distinct and should not be mixed up.
Checklist: documents to prepare
- A fully completed BI-1738 application form.
- A passport with at least one blank visa page, valid for at least 30 days beyond the end of the intended visit.
- Proof of payment of the prescribed fee.
- Proof of financial means – bank statements, cash or travellers' cheques – to cover your day-to-day expenses and those of any accompanying persons.
- A letter from your home physician or medical institution (see below for what it must contain).
- Details of the person or institution responsible for the medical and hospital costs.
- Where medical or hospital costs are not covered by insurance or an employer, proof of financial or medical cover.
- Proof of financial arrangements for costs indirectly related to the treatment.
- Details of accompanying persons, together with evidence you can support them.
- A copy of the return or onward ticket.
- A vaccination certificate, if the law requires one.
You may also be required to provide a cash deposit equal to the value of a return ticket, so plan for that possibility.
What the doctor's letter must cover
The letter from your home physician or medical institution is one of the most important documents in the file. It should set out the nature of the condition, the necessity of the treatment, the duration of the treatment, and the details of the treatment plan in southern Africa. A letter that only says treatment is needed, without those four elements, is likely to be treated as incomplete.
3 months or less versus more than 3 months
| Stay | Route |
|---|---|
| 3 months or less, for medical purposes | Visitor's visa for medical purposes |
| More than 3 months | Medical Treatment Visa (temporary residence permit), up to 6 months per visit |
Because both routes appear on the same official page, it is easy to read the wrong one. Check the length of the planned treatment first, and choose the route that matches it.
Fees and other details
The official page refers to a prescribed fee but does not publish the amount, so no figure is given here — check the official page for the current fee. Likewise, the official guidance we checked does not state whether the visa can be renewed or what the limit would be, and it does not define the exact scope of “costs indirectly related to the treatment”, so none of those is stated here.
Common mistakes
- Applying for this visa for a stay of 3 months or less, where the visitor's route applies.
- Assuming the visa allows work – it expressly does not.
- A doctor's letter that omits the treatment plan in southern Africa.
- Leaving out the proof of funds for accompanying persons.
- Not allowing for the possible cash deposit equal to a return ticket.
For other South African routes, see the visa checklists hub. For document preparation generally, the translation and copies guide and the scan and upload guide cover translations and digital files, and the passport validity guide explains the validity rules that apply to your passport.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, South Africa (dha.gov.za), “Types of visas” — Medical Treatment Visa section, retrieved 2026-09-29. Requirements and fees change, so confirm the current position on the official page before you apply.
How the medical treatment route works in practice
Applying for the Medical Treatment Visa means presenting a file that explains both the medical need and the financial arrangements around the trip. On the medical side, the physician's letter and the details of the treating institution establish what the treatment is and why it must take place in South Africa. On the financial side, the proof of means, the details of whoever bears the medical and hospital costs, and any insurance or employer cover show that the visit will be paid for. The passport validity rule – at least one blank visa page and validity for at least 30 days beyond the intended visit – is easy to overlook, and the possible cash deposit equal to a return ticket is worth planning for in advance.
Companions, duration and what is not published
Accompanying persons can be included in the application, and their details and evidence of support are part of the file. The visa is valid for a maximum of 6 months per visit, and the holder may not work or seek work. Two points that the official guidance we checked does not settle are the exact application fee and whether, and for how long, the visa can be renewed; rather than guessing, treat both as matters to confirm on the official page at the time of application. The boundary between a short medical visit and the longer temporary residence route is the single most important distinction to get right before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is the South Africa Medical Treatment Visa?
It is a temporary residence visa for a foreigner travelling to South Africa to receive medical treatment, for a maximum of 6 months per visit.
Can I work in South Africa on this visa?
No. The official guidance states that a holder of a medical treatment visa may not work or seek work in South Africa.
What is the difference between the 3-month and 6-month routes?
A visit of 3 months or less for medical purposes can be covered by a visitor's visa, while a stay of more than 3 months requires the Medical Treatment Visa as a temporary residence permit. The two are separate routes on the same official page.
What documents do I need?
A completed BI-1738 form; a passport with at least one blank visa page valid for 30 days beyond the intended visit; proof of payment; proof of financial means; a letter from your home physician or medical institution; details of who bears the medical and hospital costs; medical or financial cover if not insured; proof of funds for indirect costs; details of accompanying persons; and a copy of your return or onward ticket.
What must the letter from my doctor include?
It should state the nature of the condition, the necessity of the treatment, the duration of the treatment, and the details of the treatment plan in southern Africa.
Might I have to pay a deposit?
Yes. You may be required to provide a cash deposit equal to the value of a return ticket.
How much is the visa fee?
The official page states a prescribed fee but does not publish the amount, so no figure is given here. Check the official page for the current application fee.
Can family travel with me?
Yes. Accompanying persons can be included, and you must provide their details and evidence that you can support them, including proof of funds for their day-to-day expenses.