Medical visa
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26 Sep 2019
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Medical Visa from Nigeria to South Africa
- Medical visa is issued only for treatments in South African private hospitals.
- It is normally valid for 90 days but can be extended to a maximum period of 180 days.
- Patients travelling for over 90 days are to present their application to the South African High Commission and it will be treated as a permit and not a visa.
- If you will be visiting South Africa for treatment less than 90 days, a visitor’s visa will be issued to the applicant.
- Referral letter from a Nigerian medical doctor, specifying the nature of the health problem, and why a referral is needed.
- An appointment letter from a South African medical doctor, with a landline number at the hospital, as well as a physical address is required.
- Applications for medical purposes must:
- Include a letter from a medical practitioner or medical institution, indicating the nature of the ailment, the reason/ necessity for treatment, the period of treatment and particulars of the appointment/s made in South Africa.
- Include full details of the person or institution responsible for the medical expenses and hospital fees. If your medical scheme or employer will be liable for the expenses incurred, proof of medical cover must be submitted.
- People who require medical treatment for longer than three months must apply for a temporary residency permit.
- Emergency patients transported by emergency flights or vehicles will be allowed entry if they do not have a visa. Immigration officers will facilitate their entry by not applying clearance procedures.
- However, the person in charge of the emergency travel must report the entry and presence of the patient as soon as possible to an office of the Department of Home Affairs.
- An immigration officer will visit the patient and if necessary, will issue the necessary medical permit. If the patient does not have a valid passport, they will be issued with a permit to legalize his or her stay for the duration of his or her hospitalization.
