Organisation : Department of Home Affairs (DHA)
Service Name : Medical Treatment Visa
Country : South Africa
Website : https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/types-of-visas#medical-visa
What is Medical Treatment Visa?
A medical treatment visa is a temporary official travel document that lets a person enter or stay in a foreign country specifically to receive medical care, consult specialists, or donate an organ. Issued primarily for surgeries, treatments, childbirth, or organ transplants available at recognized hospitals abroad.
How To Apply For Medical Treatment Visa?
Medical Treatment visas may be issued for a maximum period of six months at a time.
To apply for a medical treatment visa, you must provide the following documentation:
** A duly completed BI-1738 application form
** A passport with at least 1 free page for a visa.
** The passport must be valid for 30 days after the end of the intended visit
** Payment of the prescribed fee.
** Proof of financial means to cover your day to day expenses as well as those of persons accompanying you (the medical permit holder), if any, in the form of:
** bank statements
** cash available,
** or travellers’ cheques
** A letter from your medical practitioner or a medical institution, indicating the reasons/ necessity for treatment, the period of treatment and particulars of the treatment plans in the Republic of South Africa
** Details of the person or institution responsible for your medical expenses and hospital fees
** Should your medical scheme or employer not be liable for expenses incurred, proof of financial means or medical cover must be submitted
** Proof of sufficient financial means or provision for the costs indirectly related to the treatment.
** Particulars of persons accompanying you
** A copy of a return or onward air ticket.
** Kindly note that the Department may request a cash deposit equivalent to the value of an air ticket to the country of your origin or residence
** A vaccination certificate, if required by law.
Note: Please note that a medical permit holder may not work or apply for work while in the country.
General Information About Visas
South African visitors’ visas are for international travellers (citizens of other countries) who have permanent residence outside South Africa and who wish to visit the country on a temporary basis for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed at a South African embassy, mission or consulate and that the consular officer has determined that you are eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose.
The visa will allow you to travel to a South African port of entry, where an immigration official will then determine if you are allowed to enter South Africa and for how long you can stay for that particular visit. Visitors are restricted to the activity or purpose for which their visas were issued. On entry to South Africa, a visa is considered to be a visitor’s permit.
The permit’s period of validity is calculated from the date of entry into the country and will be set out under the heading “conditions” on the visa label. You must ensure that you apply for the correct visa/permit. Entry into the country may be refused if the purpose of the visit is not correctly stated.
Requirements for visitor’s visas differ from country to country (click here to see which countries are currently exempt), and the requirements are subject to change. Each application is treated on an individual case and you should make enquiries with your nearest South African mission or consulate abroad or any office of the Department of Home Affairs to see whether you are required to apply for a visa.
Remember that there is a fee charged for issuing a visa, and you should check the cost with the office as well, as this is updated annually. The fee is payable in different currencies in different countries. Visas are not issued at South African ports of entry and airline officials are obliged to insist on visas before allowing passengers to board. If you arrive without a visa, immigration officials are obliged to put you on a flight back to your home country.
Foreigners with long-term status (work permits/permit residence) in the neighbouring countries who transit the Republic to return to their employment or residence are not subject to the transit visa, provided that they are in possession of their proof of status.