The High Commission of the Republic of South Africa in New Delhi provides consular services to South Africans citizens travelling, working, studying, and/or living in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

Consular services comprise of two areas of specialisation, namely:

• Consular assistance rendered to South African nationals abroad, including emergency consular assistance.
• Consular Notarial Services (Legalisation Services).

Email: consular.delhi@dirco.gov.za

Consultation Times: By appointment (Monday to Thursday)

Telephone enquiries are dealt with during public hours (08:30 – 12:30)

What services can South African citizens expect from Consular Officers?

In Emergencies:

• • Non-financial help for South Africans in distress abroad, including support in hostage situations and during political or natural crises.
  • Communication with family or friends in South Africa during emergencies.
  • Contacting next of kin in cases of death or serious illness, and limited help with repatriating remains or arranging burials. No financial help is provided for deaths abroad.
  • Guidance for families searching for missing persons in India, Bangladesh and Nepal while respecting privacy laws.
  • Support for parents/guardians dealing with child abduction cases, working with the Chief Family Advocate, especially if the child’s safety is at risk. DIRCO cannot ensure the child’s return. Report any kidnapping outside South Africa to DIRCO immediately (+27-12-351-1000) and receive guidance for the victim’s family.

What services do Consular Officers NOT render to South African citizens?

• • Institute court proceedings or obtain legal advice on behalf of South African nationals locally and abroad.
  • Secure a release from prison/detention of South African nationals to secure bail or an early trial (in foreign countries).
  • Intervene in court and legal proceedings (in foreign countries).
  • To secure the release of South African Nationals from prison to secure bail or early trial.
  • Offer financial support to a South African national whilst in prison.
  • Provide any legal advice.
  • Assist with the transfer of funds to a national who is not in distress.
  • Interfere in or initiate court or legal proceedings on behalf of South African citizens and body corporate.
  • Request local authorities to give preferential treatment to South Africans.
  • Investigate crimes or deaths.
  • Return a child that has been abducted by a parent / family member.
  • Obtain a criminal record check on your behalf.
  • Pay for cremations, burials or the repatriation of mortal remains to South Africa.
  • Enforce a South African custody agreement abroad or compel a country to decide a custody case.
  • Pay hotel, legal, medical or any other bills.
  • Pay travelling expenses.
  • Undertake work done by travel agents, airlines, banks, etc.
  • Obtain accommodation, visas-, study-, work permits or work on your behalf.
  • Intervene on your behalf in disputes between employer and employee.
  • Store personal effects or search for lost items.
  • Accept personal mail and parcels.
  • Issue pensions and social security benefits.
  • Formally assist dual nationals in the country of their second nationality.

After-hours services are only rendered in the event of an emergency and exclude any enquiries of a general nature.

Consular Notarial Services (Legalisation Services) are rendered to South African nationals and foreign nationals requiring South African official public documents to be legalised for use abroad. These services are rendered to provide legal validity to South African official public documents to enable a person to use the documents outside South Africa.