Passport services speed up with new Home Affairs global centres
The Department of Home Affairs has officially launched its first centres in Sydney and Melbourne, with a third to open in Perth by the end of September. Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand are also now operational.
South Africans living abroad no longer have to endure the long wait of up to 18 months for passport renewals.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber has announced the opening of new international Home Affairs service centres that aim to drastically cut waiting times and improve access to essential services.
The Department of Home Affairs has officially launched its first centres in Sydney and Melbourne, with a third to open in Perth by the end of September. Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand are also now operational.
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These additions complement the department’s existing centre in London, United Kingdom.
“Over the coming months, the Department of Home Affairs will expand this global footprint by opening more centres in the United Arab Emirates and China, followed by France, Germany, and The Netherlands later this year, and North America early next year,” the department stated.
The initiative, described as a game-changer for South Africans overseas, forms part of a broader strategy to offer ‘Home Affairs @home’ – a vision of fully accessible online services for citizens wherever they reside.
Services at the new centres include:
1. Passport applications and renewals for adults and minors
2. Birth registration applications
3. A new online appointment system with walk-in options
4.SMS tracking and email support for real-time updates
5.Operating hours from Monday to Friday, 09:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:00
6. A five-week turnaround time, significantly down from the previous 12–18 months
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The department is also upgrading its e-HomeAffairs live capture platform, which will soon allow the issuance of Smart IDs and eliminate the need for paper forms.
Schreiber said the improvements are about more than just speed.
“These changes are about delivering dignity to South Africans – wherever they live in the world,” he said. “Home Affairs is now delivering for South Africans, including those living abroad, like never before.”
Bookings for appointments can be made via the following links:
1. Australia: https://services.vfsglobal.com/aus/en/zap/attend-centre
2.New Zealand: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nzl/en/zaf/attend-centre
