The South African passport. ARCHIVE

South African nationals living in the UAE can now renew their passports at VFS Global’s Visa Application Centre in Wafi City, Dubai, following the company’s appointment as the sole outsourced partner for the South Africa Department of Home Affairs in the country. The new service, which became effective in July 2025, means applicants no longer need to visit the Consulate General in Dubai for passport renewals. They can now submit applications at either the VFS Global centre in Dubai or the South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi. “We are excited to be offering passport renewal services for South African nationals living in the UAE,” said Monaz Billimoria, Regional Head – UAE, VFS Global. “We thank the Department of Home Affairs for their steadfast faith in our services over the last 15 years that we have worked with them across the globe. We are confident that applicants will enjoy an enhanced customer experience when they visit us at the world's largest centre here in Dubai.”

How to apply

Applicants must start by visiting VFS Global’s official portal, selecting “Apply for Consular services" and "Passport,” and booking an appointment. Required documents should be prepared as per the online checklist. On the appointment date, applicants must visit the VFS Global centre to submit documents, complete biometric enrollment, and pay the applicable fees. Passports are processed in South Africa and returned to Dubai, with the Department of Home Affairs advising a minimum processing time of 8 to 10 weeks from the date of submission. Applicants are urged to apply at least 12 months before their current passport expires and to avoid making fixed travel plans until the new passport is received. For added convenience, applicants can opt for premium services — such as the Premium Lounge, professional form-filling assistance, photocopy and printing, SMS or email status updates, and Prime Time submissions outside regular hours. These services incur additional fees but do not affect processing times or application outcomes. CAM/Expat Media
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