1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS FOR THE PUBLIC AT SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY IN BERN: FROM 09:00 AM to 12:30 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY EXCEPT FOR PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (CLOSED).

SERVICES AT THE SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY IN BERN ARE NOW RENDERED STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENTS ONLY.

To book an appointment, send an email to Bern.Consular@dirco.gov.za. You will receive an automatic reply requesting you to send us your information. Fill in the required information and send to Bern.Consular@dirco.gov.za.

General Notes

1. Minors under the age of 18 years must have the consent from both parents on form DHA-73.
2. Both the parents must attend the appointment with their minor child
3. Dual Citizenship: A South African citizen, who is also a citizen of another country, must always use their South African passport when entering or departing South Africa.
4. Foreign Visas in Current Passport: Any valid visas that are contained in your current passport will not be affected in any way. Any queries regarding your visas should be directed to the concerned issuing country.
5. On the day of your appointment, you must bring the originals and copies of all required documents.
6. Applicable to Women: If you want your passport/ID document to be issued in your maiden / married surname, a formal letter of request must also be included together with an apostille stamp endorsed on the certificate if married/divorced outside South Africa.
7. You can only apply for a new passport if the validity of the current passport is less than 12 months.
8. Passport and ID document collection time is from 09:30am to 12:30pm

Applicants applying for a first adult passport (i.e. applicants 16 years old or turning 15.9 years old) must ALSO apply for an ID book along with the passport or before applying for the passport.

If applying for a passport within South Africa, the DHA Office where the application is lodged, cannot redirect the passport for dispatch to the Bern Mission. You will have to visit SA again to collect your new passport.

The South African Passport and Travel Documents Act of 1994 regulates the issuing of South African passports and travel documents.

A new passport must be applied 6 to 12 months before the current passport expires or if the passport has no more blank visa pages available. Passports have a validity of 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16 years of age.

Passports are not extended. Once they have reached the expiry date, a new application must be submitted.

Passport applications take 6 to 12 months to be finalized. Applicants are requested to bear in mind that applications are referred to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing.

Applicants are requested not to contact the Mission unnecessarily for progress on passport applications (These requests ultimately delay the processing time).

Different types of South African passports and their requirements

• Normal Adult passport)
• Child Passports (Persons younger than 16 years of age)
• Emergency Travel Certificates (Adult /Child)
• Passport Fees

Please note: Do not make firm travel bookings before obtaining your passport.

Passport Applications (Adult or Child)

Passport Requirements (All passport types)

1. Form DHA-73 – Passport application form is for both adult and Child applications.

         For applicants 16 years and older please ensure you sign the form in the presence of Embassy Official and will have your left thumb print placed in the designated area by the Embassy Official.

         Application MUST be completed fully in black ink and block letters only.

2. Form DHA-529 – Determination of Citizenship Status. The purpose of this form is to establish that as a South African Citizen you have not lost your Citizenship and all your details mentioned therein are according to the population registrar.

• Part A: questions 9, 10 and 11 are mostly important for the applicant. N.B. 9 dates when you came to live in Switzerland for the 1^st time. number 10(d) must also be answered, by circling a No or a Yes. Circle “NO” if you have not applied for the Retention or if you are applying for the FIRST TIME. Circle “Yes” if you applied for a Retention previously, bring your Retention letter/certificate with you on the day of your appointment or post if you are supposed to be posting your application.
  • Part B: The appropriate marital status should be indicated next to the “Marital Status” section on the form (e.g., Never Married, Married, Divorced, Widowed). Subsequently, the details of the applicant’s current or former spouse, whether deceased, divorced, or widowed, must be filled out on the DHA-529 form.
  • Part C and D: The details of both parents must be filled out, including their ID numbers and any foreign nationality.
  • Part E: Ensure that form DHA-529 is signed before Embassy Official. Valid telephone/mobile number, email address (in block letters) and physical address must be provided.
• Form DHA-9 – Although this form is mainly used for ID applications all passport applications of applicants 16 years and older done from abroad MUST include the fingerprints on DHA-9 form. Fingerprints will be taken at the Embassy in Bern.

3. Please Note: The form will be provided on the day of your appointment.
4. Form CMO-217 – Loss Report: Stolen / Lost Passport. To be completed only if your passport is Stolen or Lost
5. Photographs Clear professionally taken colour photos of full face of applicant, showing only head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm. Without glasses and clear forehead (Not covered by hair)