JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT
For release on 13 June 2022
DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS LAUNCHES A PILOT PROJECT FOR PASSPORT RENEWAL
FOR SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
The Department of Home Affairs will on Monday 13 June 2022 launch a pilot project to ease the
Passport renewal process for South African nationals living in the United Kingdom (UK). The pilot will
be in three cities, London, Edinburgh and Manchester.
To deliver this service, the Home Affairs Department is extending its partnership with VFS Global to
implement the pilot in the UK. VFS Global will receive applications for passport reissues at its centres
in the three cities. South African nationals will be able to visit the VFS Global centres to renew their
South African passports.
The new passport service is being introduced to make the application and delivery process more
efficient.
The key services delivered are:
• Passport Application processing for Adults (Renewal)
• Passport Application processing for Minors (Renewal)
VFS Global has been serving the Republic of South Africa worldwide since 2010 through a network of
45 Visa Application Centres in 18 countries. The South African diaspora in the United Kingdom can
now lodge applications at three convenient locations run by VFS Global. The centre in London is
located at 66 Wilson Street, London, EC2A 2BT, while in Edinburgh at 1 Rennie’s Isle, Leith, Edinburgh
EH6 6QT and in Manchester at 50 Devonshire Street North, Manchester, M12 6JH.
Key benefits for applicants:
• Operating times in London, Edingburgh and Manchester (08.30am to 16.00pm)
• Dedicated courier service for processed passports
• Dedicated email for applicant queries
• Quicker turnaround time for passport renewal
• Passport photo service also available in London, Edinburgh and Manchester
• Application tracking facility with SMS service.
“The new passport service will advance the department’s movement from manual, paper-based
processes to digital systems, for smart, faster and reliable services. With this system in place our
citizens in the UK will no longer wait for extended periods when renewing their passports. This will also
ease space constraints at SA’s embassy in London”, said the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron
Motsoaledi.
Jiten Vyas, Regional Group Chief Operating Officer for VFS Global, said, “We would like to thank the
Department of Home Affairs in the Republic of South Africa for its continued faith in us. Our focus and
committment will be to provide world class service to the South African diaspora in United Kingdom
and possibly soon in other countries to ease the passport renewal process for South African nationals”
VFS Global provides passport and consular services for 15 client goverments in 34 countries, operating
182 centers worldwide.
Media inquiries:
VFS Global
Iffat Memon, Head of Communications – Europe
Iffatm@vfsglobal.com
Mobile - +44 7747233567
Siya Qoza, Spokesperson for the Minister of Home Affairs
082 898 1657
siyabulela.qoza@dha.gov.za
For further information visit: https://passport.vfsglobal.com/ppt/en/zaf/
Customer helpline: 09057650123 (open between 08:30 and 17:30, from Monday to Friday)
About VFS Global
VFS Global is the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and
diplomatic missions. VFS Global is the trusted partner of 64 client governments, operating a global
network with more than 3,500 Application Centres in 141 countries. The company has processed
over 241 million applications since its inception in 2001. The company manages non-judgmental and
administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client
governments, enabling them to focus entirely on the critical assessment task. VFS Global has its
headquarters in Zurich/,Switzerland.
VFS Global is majority-owned by funds managed by Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset
manager. Blackstone seeks to create positive economic impact and long-term value for their
investors, the companies in which they invest, and the communities in which they work. Blackstone’s
USD 915 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity,
real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-
investment grade credit, real assets, and secondary funds, all on a global basis.
The Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, a global investment organisation,
headquartered in Stockholm/Sweden, hold minority stakes in VFS Global.
