The South African government has waived the requirement for applicants to submit a medical report when applying for visas and permanent residence permits, according to a new ministerial immigration directive issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
The directive, signed by Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber on July 17, 2026, grants a blanket waiver for the medical report previously required under South Africa’s Immigration Act, 2002.
The waiver applies to all future applications for temporary visas and permanent residence permits, as well as applications that are still awaiting adjudication.
According to the notice published in the South African Government Gazette, the directive took effect yesterday. The Department of Home Affairs has also instructed that the directive be brought to the attention of all permitting officials and be published on the VFS visa application website.
The move is expected to simplify the visa application process for foreign nationals, including many Basotho who travel to South Africa for work, study and business.
