VFS Global launches passport renewal service for South Africans in Dubai

South African citizens living in the UAE can now renew their passports at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Dubai’s Wafi City. This comes after VFS Global was appointed the exclusive outsourced service partner of South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs in the UAE.

Passport renewal applications can be submitted either at the VFS Global centre in Dubai or at the South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi’s Mushrif area.

To apply, individuals must first request consular services through VFS Global’s official website and book an appointment. Applicants need to bring all required documents listed online, and complete document submission, biometric enrollment, and fee payment at the VFS centre. Passports will then be processed in South Africa and returned to the UAE for collection. The Department of Home Affairs estimates a processing time of 8 to 10 weeks from the date of submission.

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Applicants are advised to apply at least 12 months before their current passport expires and not make travel plans until after they receive their new passports.

Monaz Billimoria, VFS Global’s Regional Head – UAE, said: “We are pleased to offer passport renewal services to South Africans in the UAE. We thank the Department of Home Affairs for their continued trust in our services over the last 15 years and are confident that applicants will benefit from an improved customer experience."

Other services available at the VFS Global centre in Dubai include professional form filling, printing services, electronic updates and special appointments outside regular operating hours. While these services aim to streamline the applicant’s experience, they are optional and do not influence processing times or outcomes.

For more information, visit www.vfsglobal.com