Quick Answer: Medical Report for Permanent Residence
Permanent residence applications normally require a medical report and a separate radiological report, completed on the prescribed forms by a registered practitioner rather than as a letter from your doctor.
Both have limited validity, and on this route the rest of the file takes months. That makes these the last documents to obtain, not the first. Requirements.co.za is an independent information website. It is not a government department, embassy or visa agency, and nothing here is immigration advice.
Who This Requirement Applies To
This guide is for permanent residence applicants and any dependants applying with them.
For the wider file, see Documents Required for Permanent Residence South Africa.
Eligibility Requirements
Two separate documents are involved, and they apply to each applicant.
Applicant type
- Medical report. A general health report on the prescribed form.
- Radiological report. A chest radiological report, commonly required separately.
- Each applicant. Dependants applying with you normally require their own reports.
- Exemptions. May apply in defined circumstances, such as pregnancy or age, for the radiological report. Confirm what applies.
- Validity. Limited, which is why timing matters more here than on shorter routes.
Documents You May Need
Use the current prescribed forms, obtained from the official source.
Required proof
- Completed medical report on the prescribed form, signed and stamped.
- Radiological report where required.
- Reports for each dependant applying with you.
- Evidence of any exemption claimed.
Steps to Apply or Prepare
Obtain the current forms early so you know what is required, but do not have the examinations done yet.
Complete the rest of the file first, particularly the foreign police clearances.
Book the examinations once the file is otherwise ready, then submit promptly.
Costs, Processing Times and Validity
Examination and radiology costs apply per person, so a family application multiplies them. Because validity is limited and permanent residence files take months to assemble, obtaining these early normally means paying twice.
Common Mistakes and Delays
Common mistake
- Having examinations done at the start of a months-long process.
- Submitting a doctor letter rather than the prescribed form.
- Forgetting reports for dependants.
- Forms left unsigned or unstamped.
- Assuming an exemption applies without confirming.
Where to Confirm Official Requirements
Confirm the current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs. The Official Requirements Sources South Africa page links to the responsible bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What medical documents are required?
Normally a medical report and a separate radiological report on the prescribed forms, for each applicant. Confirm the current requirement.
When should I have the examinations?
Last, once the rest of the file is nearly complete, since the reports have limited validity.
Do dependants need their own?
Normally yes, for each person applying. Confirm what applies to children.
Can my own doctor complete the form?
A registered medical practitioner normally can, using the prescribed form rather than a letter.
Where can I confirm the requirement?
Confirm with the Department of Home Affairs.