Passport application 101
2012-04-30 10:53
Even if you think you'll never manage to save up enough to take your dream trip abroad, having a valid passport is a MUST for the modern person. I mean, you never know when that lottery ticket will be the lucky one, or when a wealthy lover may want to whisk you away... both scenarios could go horribly wrong if you suddenly discover your passport has expired. Or even worse, you never had one to start off with.
So, because we want to minimize your time in the madness of the home affairs department, we've decided to put together a quick guide on how to get your passport application and a passport application for your child done as efficiently as possible.
The first thing you should know: there are different passports for different people and purposes.
The one thing that remains the same, is that you will have to go to your nearest Home Affairs Office to go through with the procedure, and you will have to fill in a DHA-73 form.
Tourist passport
Issued to South African citizens over the age of 16 and is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
What you need:
• Identity Document
• Two colour passport photos
• Finger prints will be taken
Cost: R400
Timeframe: It will take about ten weeks to process the application and issue the passport.
Child's passport
Issued to South African citizens under the age of 16. It is valid for five years from the date of issue.
What you need:
• Your (parent's) ID and child's birth certificate
• 2 colour passport photos of the child
• Death certificate if one parent is deceased
• a copy of the Court's appointment letter, if you are the child's guardian
• There are special rules for children born out of wedlock, check out the Home Affairs website for more details.
Cost: R400
Timeframe: Takes about 10 weeks to process
Maxi tourist passport
It is a document for frequent travellers and is issued to South African citizens of 16 years and above. The document contains 48 pages to provide for more visa pages. It is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
What you need:
• Identity Document
• Two colour passport photos
• Fingerprints
Cost: R600
Timeframe: Takes about 10 weeks to process.
Temporary passport
Issued to South African citizens who have applied for a regular passport but need to travel urgently before the regular passport can be issued.
Temporary passports are not accepted in all foreign countries. Applicants are advised to check first with the countries they intend visiting before applying for a temporary passport. It is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
What you need:
• Identity Document
• Two colour passport photos
• Fingerprints
• A valid reason for your urgent travel
Cost: R180 to process the temporary one, then an additional R400 when you get your tourist passport.
Timeframe: It will take approximately one week to process the application and issue the temporary passport. (Although they have been known to be processed more quickly)
Emergency travel certificate
Can be issued to South African citizens who need to travel urgently and there is insufficient time to process a passport application. Valid for 9 months, but can only be used for a single journey
What you need:
• Identity Document
• Two colour passport photos
• Fingerprints
• A valid reason for urgent travel
Cost: R140 to process, but you will need to pay an additional R400 to get your proper tourist passport when you return.
Timeframe: Normally takes about a week to process.
Official passport
Issued to South African citizens in the employ of the Public Service or of a government institution and who need to travel abroad on government official business. It is valid for five years.
What you need:
• Identity Document
• Two colour passport photos
• Fingerprints
• Letter from your employer
Cost: Free
Document for travel purposes
Issued to South African permanent residence holders who cannot obtain travel documents from their country of origin, for example refugees and stateless persons lawfully residing in South Africa. It is valid for 5 years.
What you need:
• Proof of identity
• Two colour passport photos
• Fingerprints
• Proof of permanent residence as well as written
confirmation from your country of origin that they cannot issue you with a passport.
Cost: R400
Timeframe: About 10 weeks.
Other useful information:
Take a look at the passport and ID photo specifications.
You can track the process of your passport application through the Department of Home Affairs website.
Also visit the Department of Home Affairs website to find out the contact details of your closest branch.
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