Home Affairs Issues Abroad

Consular Oversight & Application Support for South Africans Abroad

The DA and the DA Abroad play a crucial role in providing oversight over the Department of International Relations & Cooperation (DIRCO), as well as the Department of Home Affairs; in particular regarding the matter of poor service delivery at all South African consular offices abroad.

To achieve this, we are in continuous contact with both the diplomatic missions and the Department in order to highlight shortcomings and assist with individuals’ applications.

Therefore, should you be experiencing trouble with your document application overseas (an emergency, waiting 8 months or longer etc.), please reach out to us via our contact form explaining your situation. People who have gone through VFS for their applications can also make use of our assistance.

New service points for passports and birth registrations for South Africans abroad

Since July 2025, new consular locations for South Africans abroad have been steadily made available through VFS Global, where people are able to apply for passport renewals, IDs and birth certificates. For the full list of locations, as well as to book an appointment, please see the DHA website here.

The extra application centres are an interim measure to bring relief to the pressing problem of document renewal abroad. The Department’s ultimate goal is “Home Affairs @ Home”, a fully online system that brings government services to every South African, no matter where in the world they are. As a first step towards this goal, it is possible as of 1 November to have your document couriered to an address of your choosing, if applied for at a VFS service centre.

Media statement 27 October

We note that many South Africans have been eagerly awaiting the openings of VFS Global centres worldwide, and we hear the frustration as delays are currently being experienced.

These delays are likely due to teething challenges as new systems and processes settle in. We have escalated the matter to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and VFS Global, who have acknowledged the issues and assured us that they are working to resolve them.

We will continue to actively monitor the situation and keep you updated.

For all service queries or follow-ups, please contact:

🌐 www.dha.gov.za

🌐 www.vfsglobal.com