IMPORTANT INFORMATION

HOME AFFAIRS OPENING HOURS FOR THE PUBLIC AT 15 WHITEHALL ARE FROM 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY EXCEPT FOR BANK HOLIDAYS.

Department of Home Affairs has outsourced passport services in UK to VFS Global with effect from 1 June 2022. VFS Global has offices in London, Manchester, and Edinburg.

Please contact VFS to book your appointment on the link below: https://passport.vfsglobal.com/ppt/en/zaf 

1. If you want to apply for the new passport and if you have been issued an Identity document.
2. If your children are under the age of 16 years.
3. If you are applying for stollen/lost/damaged passport

SERVICES AT 15 WHITEHALL (HOME AFFAIRS) ARE NOW RENDERED STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENTS ONLY.

To book an appointment on our website: Bookings Calendar

Then click on: BOOKINGS CALENDER – book your appointment by choosing the date and provide your full name, ID number/date of birth.

South African Passports

General Notes

1. Minors under the age of 18 years must have the consent of both parents on form DHA/BI-73.
2. Dual Citizenship: A South African citizen, who is also a citizen of another country, must use their South African passport when entering or departing South Africa.
3. 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 issuing country concerned.
4. On the day of your appointment, you must bring all the originals and copies of all documents.
5. Applicable to women: If you want your passport 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.
6. You can only apply for a new passport if the validity of the current passport is less than 12 months.
7. Passport collection timings are from 10:00am to 12:00pm

Applicants applying for 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 London Mission.

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

New passport must be applied for 6 to 12 months before 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 lodged.

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 process)

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 Applications (Adult or Child)

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

Passport Requirements (All passport types)

1. Form BI-73 – Passport application form. – Adult as well as Child applications. Applicants 16 years and older please ensure you sign the form in the presence of Home Affairs Official and have your left thumb print placed in the designated area by the Home Affairs Official.Application MUST be completed fully in black ink only.
2. Form BI-529 – Determination of Citizenship Status. The purpose of the 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. number 10(d) must also be answered, with circling a No or a Yes. NO if you are applying for the FIRST TIME for Retention. Yes if you applied for a Retention previously, bring your 1st Retention letter/certificate.
  • Part B: The relevant status can be written next to the words Marital Status on the form (e.g. Never married/ Married/ Divorced/Widowed). The details of the applicant’s current or former spouse must then be completed on the DHA-529 whether deceased or divorced or widowed)
  • Part C and D: Both the parents’ details must be completed including their ID numbers.
  • Part E: Ensure that form DHA-529 is signed before Home Affairs Official. Valid telephone/mobile number, email address (in block letters) and physical address must be provided.

3. 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. Fingerprints will be taken at the London Home Affairs Office.

Please Note: The form will be provided at the appointment.

6. Form CMO-217 – Loss Report: Stolen / Lost Passport. To be completed only if your passport is Stolen or Lost
7. 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)
8. All postal applications to be submitted must be accompanied by a pre-paid, self-addressed special delivery envelope.

Passport fees (non-refundable) to be deposited electronically into the   High Commission’s Account

Processing fees (British pounds) must be deposited electronically into High Commission’s account. See below banking details:

NAME OF THE BANK: NEDBANK PRIVATE WEALTH

NAME OF THE ACCOUNT HOLDER: SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSION

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 93274091

SORT CODE: 16-57-06

REFERENCE NUMBER: SURNAME & FORENAMES (As they appear on the passport/ID/birth certificate). No Postal Order or cash will be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you are applying through VFS Global, do not pay into the South African High Commission’s Account as your payment cannot be refunded.

Address:

The South African High Commission
15 White Hall 

London
SW1A 2DD