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    Visa Guide · 🇿🇦 South Africa

    South Africa Medical Treatment Visa from Bangladesh

    Long Term Visa for planned medical treatment in South Africa requiring an extended treatment period.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The South Africa Medical Treatment Visa is a Long Term Visa for Bangladeshi nationals and eligible residents travelling for planned medical care that falls outside the short medical-visit category. It is generally relevant where treatment is expected to extend beyond 90 days, and the visa may be issued for a maximum period of six months at a time.

    Applications from Bangladesh are handled by the South African High Commission in New Delhi and must be submitted through VFS Global New Delhi. Applicants should support the file with clear treatment, cost, funding and return arrangements consistent with the proposed medical stay. 

    Document Checklist

    1. Passport (Original): Original passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure from South Africa, with at least two unused/blank visa pages. Submit the current passport together with the required copies.
    2. Previous Passport(s) & Travel History: Full clear copies of previous passports, including relevant visa and immigration pages, where available. Travel history should be disclosed consistently with the application and supporting records.
    3. Photograph (South Africa Visa Format): Provide 1 recent colour passport photograph, 35mm x 45mm, taken within the last 30 days against a plain white background and meeting the current South Africa VFS photo specifications.
    4. DHA-1738 Visa Application Form: Fully completed Form DHA-1738 in black ink and block letters, signed by the applicant with details consistent with the passport and supporting documents.
    5. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter explaining the medical purpose, proposed treatment period, South African medical provider, accommodation and funding arrangements. It should also include the applicant’s home address and contact details.
    6. South African Medical Practitioner / Institution Letter: Letter from the registered medical practitioner or medical institution in South Africa confirming treatment availability, the reason for treatment, estimated costs, treatment schedule, intended treatment period and relevant treatment particulars.
    7. Medical Expense Responsibility & Funding Evidence: Details and confirmation of the person, employer, medical scheme or institution responsible for medical and hospital expenses. Where those costs are not covered, provide evidence of sufficient funds or medical cover for the treatment.
    8. Personal Bank Statements & Solvency Certificate: Original bank statements (personal and/or salary account) for the last 6 months, issued by the bank and showing the bank name and contact details. Statements must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank officer (e-statements not accepted), and accompanied by a bank solvency/financial standing certificate where required.
    9. Medical Report: Submit the prescribed medical report in original. The report should reflect the applicant’s general state of health and meet the current validity requirements.
    10. Police Clearance Certificate: Applicants aged 18 or over should provide police clearance certificates for each country where they have resided for 12 months or longer since turning 18, in line with the current Medical Treatment Visa requirements.
    11. Civil Status Documents: Provide relevant marriage, spousal, custody, adoption, separation or death records where applicable to the applicant’s circumstances or accompanying family members.
    12. Accompanying Person Details (where applicable): Provide particulars of any person accompanying the applicant during the treatment period, together with the supporting records relevant to that person’s travel and relationship to the applicant.
    13. Flight Reservation: Valid return or onward flight reservation showing the intended travel period.
    14. Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (where applicable): Required if the applicant will travel through or stay in a yellow-fever-risk area before entering South Africa. Check the current South African yellow fever policy against the planned itinerary.
    15. Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh.
    16. Minor Applicant Documents (where applicable): For applicants under 18, provide the required birth, parental consent form, parent/legal guardian identification, custody or guardianship documents, and other supporting records required under the current minor-travel rules. 

    Process Roadmap

    Step 1

    Confirm the Treatment Category

    Confirm that the proposed treatment and intended duration fit the Medical Treatment Visa rather than the short medical visitor category.

    Step 2

    Complete DHA-1738 Carefully

    Complete DHA-1738 in black ink and align the personal details, treatment purpose, dates, address and funding information with the supporting file.

    Step 3

    Secure the Treatment Confirmation

    Obtain the South African medical letter clearly setting out treatment availability, costs, schedule, expected duration and the proposed medical plan.

    Step 4

    Prepare Funding & Supporting Evidence

    Arrange the financial, cost-responsibility, police-clearance, family, return-travel and other applicable records needed for the medical stay.

    Step 5

    Organise the New Delhi Submission File

    Prepare the originals, copies and category specific supporting for submission through VFS Global New Delhi under the South African High Commission.

    Step 6

    Lodge the Application & Pay Charges

    A prior appointment is currently not required. Submit the complete file at VFS New Delhi and pay the applicable visa and VFS charges.

    Step 7

    Track the Case & Plan Treatment Travel

    Follow available VFS updates and avoid finalising non-refundable travel until a decision is issued. Check the visa validity and conditions after passport return.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    Treatment plan is not sufficiently documented

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the medical-provider evidence needed to show the treatment purpose, schedule, duration and estimated costs clearly.

    Medical costs are not properly funded

    How UnivEase helps

    We help align the treatment costs with the sponsor, insurer, employer or applicant’s financial evidence and cost-bearing responsibility.

    Treatment duration and travel plan conflict

    How UnivEase helps

    We help check that the proposed medical period, flights, accommodation and supporting records present one consistent timeline.

    Long-term supporting records are incomplete

    How UnivEase helps

    We provide checklist-based guidance on DHA-1738, police clearance, family records and other New Delhi requirements relevant to the case.

    VFS & Embassy

    Embassy

    South African High Commission, New Delhi
    Address: B-18 Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057, India.
    Telephone: +91-11-2614 9411-14
    Immigration Queries: Infoza.india@vfshelpline.com
    Website: Click Here
    Working Hours: Monday to Thursday, 08:30-17:00; Friday, 08:30-14:15.
    Consular & Immigration Section: Monday to Friday, 08:30-12:30. 

    Visa Application Centre

    South Africa Visa Application Centre, New Delhi
    Address: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001, India.
    Helpline: 02267866066 (Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00)
    Website: Click Here
    Submission Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00-16:00. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Prepare your South Africa Medical Treatment Visa application around a clear treatment plan.

    Get clear guidance on DHA-1738, medical-provider evidence, treatment funding, required documents, fees, VFS New Delhi submission and passport-return steps before you apply.

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