South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs has removed the requirement to submit a medical report with visa and permanent-residence applications.
Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026 grants a blanket waiver from the medical-report requirements prescribed under regulations 9(1)(c) and 23(1)(f) of the Immigration Regulations. The directive applies to new applications and applications already awaiting adjudication.
What has changed?
Applicants for temporary-residence visas and permanent-residence permits are no longer required to submit the medical report covered by the directive.
The waiver took effect on 8 July 2026, when the Minister signed the directive. It was published in Government Gazette No. 55016 on 17 July 2026.
Does the waiver apply to pending applications?
Yes. The directive expressly applies to applications currently awaiting adjudication, as well as future applications.
Applicants with pending matters should nevertheless retain their submission receipts and monitor communications from Home Affairs or VFS Global.
What has not been waived?
The directive deals specifically with the medical-report requirement. It does not automatically remove other documentary or eligibility requirements.
Depending on the application category, an applicant may still need to provide police clearances, proof of financial means, evidence of qualifications, employment documents, relationship evidence or other prescribed supporting records.
Applicants should therefore not treat the directive as a general relaxation of South Africa’s immigration requirements.
What should applicants do?
Before submitting an application, applicants should:
- Confirm the current requirements for their particular visa or permanent-residence category.
- Check whether VFS Global’s checklist has been updated.
- Keep a copy of Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026.
- Ensure that every other prescribed document remains complete and valid.
- Obtain professional guidance where the application involves previous refusals, expired status or complex eligibility issues.
The waiver should reduce unnecessary costs and administrative delays, but a complete and properly prepared application remains essential.
How Besther can assist
Besther Consulting Group provides immigration administrative support, document-preparation assistance and practical guidance for individuals, families and employers.