The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA), in collaboration with the South African Embassy, recently hosted an information webinar focused on the new South African passport and civic services application process in the United States.

The session was designed to support South Africans living in the US by providing clear, practical guidance on the rollout of Department of Home Affairs services through VFS Global passport application centres. These centres form part of an interim solution by the Department of Home Affairs to improve access to essential services while longer-term digital systems are being developed.

Due to strong interest, many members of the South African diaspora were unable to attend the live session. To ensure continued access to accurate and up to date information, SACCUSA is sharing the key content and presentations from the webinar online. This includes details on who can apply, which services are available, appointment requirements, processing timelines, and the locations of newly operational VFS centres across the United States.

South African citizens and dual citizens are encouraged to review this information carefully and plan applications well in advance to avoid delays, particularly for passport renewals and first time applications.

BACKGROUND

• SACCUSA shares information with South Africans in the USA on the Department of Home Affairs services in the US through VFS Global service centres.
• SACCUSA has engaged the Ministry of DHA over the past year on ways of providing services to South Africans living abroad and bringing services closer to the Diaspora community in the US.
• These centres are only an interim measure to bring relief to South Africans living in the US while the department develops the digital solutions to improve access and turnaround times.
• The initial phase of the VFS Global services rollout was attended by SACCUSA President Mr Neil Diamond and officially launched in New York by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr L Schreiber, in October 2025. The initial phase focusing on passport, identity document, and birth registration applications. These centres are in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, and Washington DC.
• Although South African citizens may continue to apply through the Embassy and Consulates available, the introduction of these services centres through VFS Global provides a more accessible footprint.

OVERVIEW OF CONSULAR SERVICES OUTSOURCED TO VFS

• The following consular services have been outsourced to VFS by Department of Home Affairs, South Africa
• Phase 1A Nov 2025 (New York & Washington DC)
• Phase 1B Jan 2026 (Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles)
• Passport (Adult & Child)
• Birth Registration/ Birth Certificate
• Phase 2 (Commencement date to be announced later)
• Smart ID Card
• Applicants will no longer need to visit the South African diplomatic missions in Los Angeles, New York and Washinton DC to apply for these services
• Applicants from all of USA can visit any of the following VFS centers at the following locations to apply
• APPOINTMENTS AVAILABILITY – Appointments are available across all VACs
• WHO CAN APPLY – Applicants across USA will be allowed to apply for consular services across any of the locations
• The applications will be processed by VFS and forwarded to DHA for issuance of respective passport/ ID/ birth certificate
• PROCESSING TIME – up to 2 – 3 months from the date of receipt of application by DHA
• WEBSITE WALKTHROUGH – https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/zap/
• APPOINTMENT JOURNEY WALKTHROUGH – https://passports.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/zaf/login

CIVIC SERVICES AVAILABLE AT VFS GLOBAL

Passports Application

• Child (15 years and below)
• Adult ( Turning 16 years and above)
• Children turning 16 must apply for their first identity document to be eligible to apply for new passport
• Please refer to the requirements/checklist on the website to ensure you bring the required documents when submitting your application.

First Identity Document Application (not re-issue)

• Children turning 16 in the current year
• Children / Adults above 16 who not applied for their first identity document
• Adult (Children turning 16 must apply for their first identity document to be eligible to apply for new passport
• Please refer to the requirements/checklist on the website to ensure you bring the required documents when submitting your application.

Foreign Birth Registration Application

• Children born abroad who have not been registered as South African citizens. Those who have not been issued with their first South African birth certificates.
• Birth certificate re-issue applications through Embassy or Consulates
• Please refer to the requirements/checklist on the website to ensure you bring the required documents when submitting your application.

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

• NO WALK IN APPOINTMENTS AT VFS service centres
• ALL APPOINTMENTS MUST BE MADE ONLINE on VFS WEBSITE https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/zap/
• PROCESSING TIME 8 – 12 WEEKS FROM DATE THE APPLICATION WAS RECEIVED BY DHA IN PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA.
• Discontinuation of mail-in applications for passport, identity document, birth registration applications. This includes requesting mailing of forms (i.e DHA-9)
• Citizens are encouraged to keep their South Africa passports valid, and apply in advance for new travel documents to be issued by Home Affairs.