Consular Services Information
Consular Services Type
Select the Consular services type that is right for you to see important information on fees, documents required, forms, photo specifications and processing times.
Adult Passport
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Overview
All forms must be completed in BLACK INK only. Do not use tippex, white-out, or any correction fluid, as applications containing corrections will be rejected by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Please complete the forms as fully as possible, especially the parental information. If a question does not apply to you, indicate this clearly by writing “N/A” (not applicable). Failure to follow these instructions may result in delays or rejection of your application.
Applicants applying for their first adult passport (i.e. those who are 15½ years old or turning 16) must apply for their first ID card either before or at the same time as the adult passport application, as this is now compulsory according to the Department of Home Affairs. Kindly note that both parents and the child must be present at the Application Centre when submitting the first adult passport application.
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
To ensure timely receipt of documents, applicants are strongly advised to book an appointment at least eighteen (18) months before the expiry of their current passport to avoid delays. Please do not make any firm travel arrangements until you have received your new passport.
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Fees
Once you have made your application, you will have to pay the fee at the DHA Services Centre based on required payment mode. Refer to Attend a Centre Section for more details.
VFS Global charges a service fee CNY on top of the below consular fees and additional services fees.
PassportAdult Passport
480 CNY
Child Passport
480 CNY
Maxi Passport
960 CNY
Lost / Damage
Double above Tariff CNY
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Documents Required
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
The Application Centre can certify the copy as a “true copy of the original” if the original is provided.
If you are a naturalised South African, certified copies of both your Naturalisation Certificate and Permernant Residence Permit are required.
Checklist Adult & Maxi Passport
Form DHA-9
This form is not downloadable. You will receive it to complete on the day of your appointment at Application Centre.
Loss of Passport Letter
If a passport is lost, you need to obtain a loss-report certificate from the Exit-Entry Administration of China. As the procedures may vary by location, you may first obtain a passport loss report from your local police station and then go to the Exit-Entry Administration to apply for a Chinese–English version of the passport loss certificate.
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Photo Specifications
This Service can obtain at Application Centre with applicable fee.
Four (4) recent coloured photos in white background (showing head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm with mouth closed, head occupy 70-80%).
Please do not attach the photos to the form. Officials at the Application Centre will certify photos on the day of your appointment.
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Processing Time
Please note, applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing. Therefore, to ensure that applicants receive their documents on time, they are advised to book an appointment at least eighteen months before expiry of current passport to avoid any delays. Please do not make firm travel arrangements before obtaining your passport.
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Download Forms
Completed DHA-73 and BI-529 in BLACK pen and in BLOCK letters before arrive service center. Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.
Mark what is applicable with an X, complete the form as fully as possible, especially the parental information. Please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable). If you are unsure about the form, you can leave it blank or contact our service team.
Child Passport
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Overview
All forms must be completed in BLACK INK only, do not use tippex, white-out, or any correction fluid, as the application will be rejected by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Please complete the forms as fully as possible, especially the parental information. If a question does not apply to you, indicate this clearly by writing “N/A” (not applicable). Failure to follow these instructions may result in delays or rejection of your application.
Processing of new South African documents takes six to eight months, so applicants are advised to book an appointment at least eighteen (18) months before the expiry of their current passport to avoid delays. Do not make firm travel arrangements until you have received your new passport.
Child passport applications, both parents and the child must be present at the Application Centre at the time of submitting the application.
If the applicant is under 15½ years old, fingerprints are not required. However, if the child is 15½ years or older or turning 16, they must apply for a first adult passport and a first ID card, as required by the DHA.
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
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Fees
Once you have made your application, you will have to pay the fee at the DHA Services Centre based on required payment mode. Refer to Attend a Centre Section for more details.
VFS Global charges a service fee – CNY on top of the below consular fees and additional services fees.
PassportAdult Passport
480 CNY
Child Passport
480 CNY
Maxi Passport
960 CNY
Lost / Damage
Double above Tariff CNY
-
Documents Required
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
If one parent is unable to be present at the time of application
Consent must be obtained from the Home Affairs in South Africa or from a local South African Embassy/Consulate to complete the DHA-73 form and give consent for the child’s passport application where the other parent is residing.
In a case where parents have passed on, the lawful guardian will submit the certified copy of the court order certificate of adoption and certified copy of the first page of his/her identity document and passport.
FOREIGN PASSPORT OR ID IS NOT PROOF OF HOW AND WHEN YOU ACQUIRED FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP.
In cases of the applicant who acquired foreign citizenship through descent from a parent, a certified copy of your own full birth certificate showing the birth places of your parent(s) is required. Under circumstances where even the parents acquired such citizenship through descent, a letter from the relevant authorities of the country concerned will suffice.
The Application Centre can certify the copy as a “true copy of the original” if the original is provided.
If you are a naturalised South African, certified copies of both your Naturalisation Certificate and Permernant Residence Permit are required.
Documents issued in a foreign language must be translated to English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
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Photo Specifications
This Service can obtain at Application Centre with applicable fee.
Four (4) recent coloured photos in white background (showing head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm with mouth closed, head occupy 70-80%).
Please do not attach the photos to the form. Officials at the Application Centre will certify photos on the day of your appointment.
-
Processing Time
Please note, applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing. Therefore, to ensure that applicants receive their documents on time, they are advised to book an appointment at least eighteen months before expiry of current passport to avoid any delays. Please do not make firm travel arrangements before obtaining your passport.
-
Download Forms
Completed DHA-73 and BI-529 in BLACK pen and in BLOCK letters before arrive service center. Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.
Mark what is applicable with an X, complete the form as fully as possible, especially the parental information.Please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable). If you are unsure about the form, you can leave it blank or contact our service team.
First ID Book
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Overview
All forms must be completed in BLACK INK only. Do not use Tippex, white-out, or any correction fluid, as the application will be rejected by DHA.
Please ensure all questions are fully answered—do not leave any blanks; if a section is not applicable, indicate this with “N/A” (not applicable).
Processing time is approximately six to eight weeks, as applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria for processing.
VFS GLOBAL in Beijing and Shanghai only accepts applications for the ID Book (SA CITIZEN). For the ID Smart Card, please apply directly through the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in South Africa.
All forms must be completed in BLACK INK only. Do not use tippex, white-out, or any correction fluid, as applications containing corrections will be rejected by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Please complete the forms as fully as possible, especially the parental information.. If a question does not apply to you, indicate this clearly by writing “N/A” (not applicable). Failure to follow these instructions may result in delays or rejection of your application.
Applicants applying for their first adult passport (i.e. those who are 15½ years old or turning 16) must apply for their first ID card either before or at the same time as the adult passport application, as this is now compulsory according to the Department of Home Affairs. Kindly note that both parents and the child must be present at the Application Centre when submitting the first ID or adult passport application.
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
-
Fees
Once you have made your application, you will have to pay the fee at the DHA Services Centre based on required payment mode. Refer to Attend Centre Section for more details.
VFS Global charges a service fee on top of the below consular fees and additional services fees.
ID Book First ID Book FREE OF CHARGE -
Documents Required
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
The Application Centre can certify the copy as a “true copy of the original” if the original is provided.
-
Photo Specifications
This Service can obtain at Application Centre with applicable fee.
Three (3) recent coloured photos in white background (showing head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm with mouth closed, head occupy 70-80%).
Please do not attach the photos to the form. Officials at the Application Centre will certify photos on the day of your appointment.
-
Processing Time
Please note, applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing. Therefore, to ensure that applicants receive their documents on time, they are advised to book an appointment at least eighteen months before expiry of current passport to avoid any delays. Please do not make firm travel arrangements before obtaining your passport.
-
Download Forms
Completed BI-529 in BLACK pen and in BLOCK letters before arriving at the service center. Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.
Mark what is applicable with an X, complete the form as fully as possible, especially the parental information. Please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable). If you are unsure about the form, you can leave it blank or contact our service team.
Re-Issue ID Book
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Overview
VFS GLOBAL in Beijing and Shanghai only accepts applications for the ID Book (SA CITIZEN). For the ID Smart Card, please apply directly through the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in South Africa.
All forms must be completed in BLACK INK only. Do not use tippex, white-out, or any correction fluid, as applications containing corrections will be rejected by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Please complete the forms as fully as possible, especially the parental information.. If a question does not apply to you, indicate this clearly by writing “N/A” (not applicable). Failure to follow these instructions may result in delays or rejection of your application.
Applicants applying for their first adult passport (i.e. those who are 15½ years old or turning 16) must apply for their first ID card either before or at the same time as the adult passport application, as this is now compulsory according to the Department of Home Affairs. Kindly note that both parents and the child must be present at the Application Centre when submitting the first ID or adult passport application.
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
-
Fees
Once you have made your application, you will have to pay the fee at the DHA Services Centre based on required payment mode. Refer to Section Attend Centre for more details.
VFS Global charges a service fee on top of the below consular fees and additional services fees.
ID Book First ID Book FREE OF CHARGE Re-Issue ID Book 56 CNY -
Documents Required
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
The Application Centre can certify the copy as a “true copy of the original” if the original is provided.
-
Photo Specifications
Three (3) recent coloured photos in white background (showing head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm with mouth closed, head occupy 70-80%).
Please do not attach the photos to the form. Officials at the Application Centre will certify photos on the day of your appointment.
-
Processing Time
Please note, applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing. Therefore, to ensure that applicants receive their documents on time, they are advised to book an appointment at least eighteen months before expiry of current passport to avoid any delays. Please do not make firm travel arrangements before obtaining your passport.
-
Download Forms
Completed BI-529 in BLACK pen and in BLOCK letters before arriving at the service center. Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.
Mark what is applicable with an X, complete the form as fully as possible, especially the parental information. Please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable). If you are unsure about the form, you can leave it blank or contact our service team.
- BI-529 DETERMINATION OF CITIZENSHIP STATUS
- Letter of Consent (ONLY for Foreign Parent)
Birth Registration WITHIN 30 DAYS Application
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Overview
For now, VFS Global only accepted babies within 30 days of birth. For infants older than 30 days, please apply through the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Beijing or Consulate-General of South Africa in Shanghai. Both parents and the baby should present in the service centre.
All forms must be completed in BLACK INK only, do not use tippex, white-out, or any correction fluid, as the application will be rejected by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Please complete the forms as fully as possible, especially the parental information. If a question does not apply to you, indicate this clearly by writing “N/A” (not applicable). Failure to follow these instructions may result in delays or rejection of your application.
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
-
Fees
Once you have made your application, you will have to pay the fee at the DHA Services Centre based on required payment mode. Refer to Attend a Centre Section for more details.
VFS Global charges a service fee – CNY on top of the below consular fees and additional services fees.
Birth Certificate Birth Registration WITHIN 30 DAYS Application FREE OF CHARGE -
Documents Required
For now, VFS Global only accept birth registration applications within 30 days of birth. For infants older than 30 days, please apply through the Beijing Embassy /Shanghai Consulate-General of South Africa in China.
For Birth Registration within 30 Days, it’s mandatory for both parents to accompany the baby to the Application Centre.
The Application Centre can certify the copy as a “true copy of the original” if the original is provided.
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
-
Photo Specifications
This Service can obtain at Application Centre with applicable fee.
-
Processing Time
Please note, applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing. Therefore, to ensure that applicants receive their documents on time, they are advised to book an appointment at least eighteen months before expiry of current passport to avoid any delays. Please do not make firm travel arrangements before obtaining your passport.
-
Download Forms
Completed BI-529 (Birth Registration application MUST be completed by both the child and the parent who holds South Africa Citizenship) in BLACK pen and in BLOCK letters before arrive service center. Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.
Mark what is applicable with an X, complete the form as fully as possible, especially the parental information.Please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable). If you are unsure about the form, you can leave it blank or contact our service team.
Birth Certificate Re-issue (Unabridged)
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Overview
All forms must be completed in BLACK INK only, do not use tippex, white-out, or any correction fluid, as the application will be rejected by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Please complete the forms as fully as possible, especially the parental information. If a question does not apply to you, indicate this clearly by writing “N/A” (not applicable). Failure to follow these instructions may result in delays or rejection of your application.
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
-
Fees
Once you have made your application, you will have to pay the fee at the DHA Services Centre based on required payment mode. Refer to Attend a Centre Section for more details.
VFS Global charges a service fee – CNY on top of the below consular fees and additional services fees.
Birth Certificate Birth Registration WITHIN 30 DAYS Application FREE OF CHARGE Birth Certificate Re-issue (Unabridged) 30 CNY -
Documents Required
The Application Centre can certify the copy as a “true copy of the original” if the original is provided.
It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original as well as a photocopy or certified copy by South Africa Police Station/local South Africa Mission. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English. Additionally, any foreign original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees) must be translated into English by a sworn translator or Notarized Certificate in English.
-
Processing Time
Please note, applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing. Therefore, to ensure that applicants receive their documents on time, they are advised to book an appointment at least eighteen months before expiry of current passport to avoid any delays. Please do not make firm travel arrangements before obtaining your passport.
-
Download Forms
Completed BI-154 in BLACK pen and in BLOCK letters before arrive service center. Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.
Mark what is applicable with an X, complete the form as fully as possible, especially the parental information. Please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable). If you are unsure about the form, you can leave it blank or contact our service team.