This guide explains how to renew a South African passport in the United Kingdom. It includes timelines based on my experience and I advise that take them as guidance not gospel.
It concentrates on the option of renewing and picking up renewed passports at the VFS Global South African Passport Application Centres in London, Edinburgh, and Manchester. Passport services include passport renewal, child passport application, and adult passport application.
It cost £107.50 to renew your passport.
Passport renewal Process
The process consists of three parts:
- Booking the application and preparing documentation.
- Visiting the application centre.
- Collecting the passport.
Application and preparation
Create a VFS Global account and book an appointment using this VFS Global link.
Download and fill out the DHA 73 form. Important information needed includes particulars in respect of foreign citizenship, date and place of marriage of your parents, particulars of your mother (date of birth, place of birth, ID number), and particulars of your spouse if married (place and date of marriage, ID number).
Download and fill out the BI-529 determination of citizenship form.
Prepare the necessary documentation, including:
- Passport appointment letter (printed copy).
- Copy of ID.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Originals of the above-mentioned documents (ID, passport, marriage certificate).
Visiting the Application Centre (19 May 2023)
You must bring completed forms, copies and originals to the application centre. If you do not have the forms, they can be filled out at the centre.
Note: The following activities are based on personal experience and may vary for others.I had a 9:15 appointment.
- 8:50 a.m. - Arrived at application center. There was a lengthy queue.
- 9:30 a.m. - Arrived at the door after a 40-minute wait. The appointment letter was reviewed by security, and a ticket was issued.
- 9:35 a.m. - Met with the administrator, turned in the documentation, and she processed the application. £107.50 was requested as payment.
- 9:45 - I finished the process with the administrator and waited for the fingerprinting to be completed.
- 9:52 a.m. - Fingerprinting process began.
- 9:56 a.m - Departure from the building.
Collecting the Passport
When inquiring about the collection, the office mentioned that it takes 4 to 6 months, with an average of 3 months. You can use VFS Global Link to track your application
Progress Update (07 Aug 2023)
It's almost 3 months and I'm slowly getting into panic mode. I tracked my application using the vfs link and got message "Your passport application ref no. XXXX has been received at the operating center VFS London on 19/05/2023"
I called the number on my slip 090 5765 0123 and I swear they are using the above mentioned website. The lady from call center mentioned that they only have access to 2 statuses, in progress and received. Zero hope. We wait...tik..tok....tik...tok
Progress Update (04 Sep 2023)
Days before 04 Sep 2023 I was already in panic mode. I googled how to apply for emergency passport and I saw "horror requirements" on the website. While I'm on that mode, walking to work on 04 Sep 2023. I get email popup:
"Dear XXXXX YYYYYY,
Your passport application ref no. SALO/00000/0000/00 has been Dispatched to the London on 04/09/2023. An auto e-mail will be sent to inform you when the application has been processed.
Please note this is an auto generated e-mail. do NOT reply to this email.
Thank you
VFS Team"
Smile & Happiness since then
Progress Update (07 Sep 2023)
Another email: "Dear XXXXX YYYYYY, Your Passport is ready for Collection at London, 07/09/2023 Collection time is Mon-Fri 4pm-5pm. Please note this is an auto generated e-mail. do NOT reply to this email. Thank you
VFS Team"
Conclusion
This process was documented in May 2023. For any updates, please visit the following reference links:
Picture credit: centralnews.co.za