Our goal is to host a Congress that is friendly, safe, welcoming, respectful and inclusive to all our attendees.

To make sure that everyone has a common understanding of “show respect and courtesy to each other,” and ensuring our attendees feel safe, we have designed the following code of conduct.

Expectations

• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
• Attempt collaboration before conflict.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour and speech.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
• Be respectful to all visitors and guests of our event and venue.

Unacceptable Behaviour

The following behaviours are considered harassment and are unacceptable within the Congress:

• Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against another person.
• Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language.
• Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.
• Inappropriate photography or recording.
• Inappropriate physical contact. You should have someone’s consent before touching them.
• Unwelcome sexual attention. This includes, sexualized comments or jokes; inappropriate touching, groping, and unwelcomed sexual advances.
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour.
• Sustained disruption of talks and presentations.

Unacceptable behaviour from any attendee, including sponsors and those with decision-making authority, will not be tolerated.

Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.

If an attendee engages in unacceptable behaviour, the Congress organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the Congress without warning (and without refund).

The 13th SAVA Congress will be held at Emperors Palace Convention Centre, from 13-15 April 2027

SAVA 2027 will be convened under the theme: “Shaping the Future of Veterinary Medicine: Innovation, Integration, and Impact.”

Important Dates:

• Early Registration Opens – 18 May 2026
• Abstract Submission Opens – 18 May 2026
• Abstract Submission Closes – 07 August 2026
• Abstract Acceptance Notices – 07 September 2026
• Early Registration Closes – 30 September 2026
• Regular Registration Opens – 01 October 2026
• Regular Registration Closes – 30 January 2027
• Late Registration Opens – 1 February 2027
• Late Registration Closes – 26 March 2027

REGISTRATIONS WILL OPEN ON 18 MAY 2026.

All persons attending the congress must complete an online registration form. 

Registration Payments
To be entitled to the early registration fees, you must have registered and paid by the respective closing dates. Payments not received by the closing dates will automatically be transferred to the next registration category.

Payment Options

• Invoice (EFT)
• Credit Card* – VISA, MasterCard (via PayFast or PayPal)
• Credit Card* – Discovery and AMEX (via PayPal)
• All fees will be processed in ZAR.

*All credit card payments will be subject to a 5% processing fee to cover the associated online card transaction charges.

Full Registration entitles delegates to the following:

• Congress promotional material.
• Access to all sessions and exhibition area
• Mobile app containing official Congress information
• EXCLUDED: Official Gala Dinner

Day Registration entitles delegates to the following:

• Congress promotional material.
• Access to all sessions and exhibition area on the day of attendance.
• Mobile app containing official Congress information
• EXCLUDED: Official Gala Dinner

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS WILL OPEN ON 18 MAY 2026.

The SAVA 2027 Scientific Programme Committee welcomes the submission of abstracts from around the world that make an original contribution to veterinary medicine. The congress will consist of abstract-based oral and poster presentations, running in concurrent sessions.

More information is available on the Abstract page.

We welcome all sponsors!

Detailed information about sponsorship opportunities and benefits can be found on our Sponsors page. For further inquiries, please contact our organisers at [email protected].

Yes, SAVA 2027 will include a Gala & Awards dinner showcasing the best South Africa has to offer!

Thursday, 14 April 2027
18:30pm for 19:00pm
The Senate Rooms

Yes, cancellations are allowed but are subject to our cancellation policy.

Please refer to the Registration page for specific details regarding the cancellation process and deadlines.

We are working on negotiation best available rates at hotels in walking distance from Emperor’s Palace.

More information will soon be available.

We’d be happy to assist! Invitation letters will be sent to registered delegates who require letters for organisational approval.

All requests can be sent to Corné Engelbrecht at [email protected]

Every visitor to South Africa must have a valid passport.

• Passengers travelling to South Africa must be in possession of a passport with two unused pages required for endorsements.
• Two unused pages when presented for purposes of endorsing a port of entry visa, visa, permanent residence permit, or entry of departure stamp.
• The passport must be machine readable however, the foreigner may be admitted into or depart from South Africa with a non-machine-readable passport provided that:
  • He or she is from a foreign country that is issuing machine readable passports and has not completely phased out the non-machine-readable passports; and
  • Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your intended date of departure.

Passport holders from more than 80 countries, including USA, Canada, UK, Japan, and the EU can visit South Africa without a visa. A list of countries that currently do not require a visa can be found at the South African Government website.

Information regarding visas can be obtained from your travel agent or the South African diplomatic or consular representative in your area. Delegates requiring visas, and who intend taking tours to neighbouring Southern African countries, are advised to secure a multiple entry visa. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that they have the means of support for the duration of their stay in the country and return /onward tickets.

• Africa: Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Benin, Cape Verde, Ghana, Mozambique.
• Asia: Thailand (30 days), Singapore (30 days), Indonesia (30 days), Qatar, South Korea, Macau, Hong Kong.
• Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana
• Europe: Georgia, Kosovo, Russian Federation.
• Middle East: Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan

Visas cannot be obtained on arrival.

Click here to view the visa requirements to enter South Africa.

How can you get VISA invitation letter?

In order to receive a VISA Invitation letter, you need to be registered and paid up for the Congress as proof of registration is required to be submitted with your application.

The organiser will issue an official invitation letter for you to ease your visa application process. This letter will serve as confirmation of your participation in the conference and can be submitted along with your visa application to the embassy or consulate in your country.

We would require:

• Full names as in passport
• Date of Birth
• Nationality
• Passport Number
• Passport Expiry Date

All requests can be sent to Corné Engelbrecht at [email protected]

For any additional questions or information, please contact the SAVA 2027 Congress Organisers.

Ms Corné Engelbrecht, CEPA, CMP
General Enquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://savetcon.co.za/2027-sava-biennial-congress/https://savetcon.co.za/2026-fais-congress-2026/

Although the SAVA 2027 Congress is a pre-paid event, onsite registrations and payments can be made on arrival. Only VISA/MasterCard payments will be accepted.

For group registrations of more than 5 persons, please contact [email protected] for more information.

Yes.

All attendees will receive an attendance certificate at the event. This certificate is to be collected from the Information Desk at the registration area at the end of the Congress.