Question NW2730 to the Minister of Home Affairs
21 December 2021 - NW2730
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) Given that it can take several months to get an appointment to apply for a passport and then 12 to 24 months to process such applications, what plans are in place to reduce this unacceptable turnaround time; (2) whether he has considered an online application system for passport renewals from overseas countries with a large number of South African citizens with biometrics to be done at the relevant offices of his department at a South African consulate, embassy, mission and visa and/or permit facilitation centre; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3245E
Reply:
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- The department is considering various options including the usage of third parties (e.g. courier companies) to facilitate the turnaround times for passport applications abroad in the interim, while the long-term include the deployment of e-Home Affairs and Live Capture abroad.
- The department is in the process to establish the viability of extending the online passport application systems abroad which will significantly shorten the time-frame for issuance of passports. The installation of the e-Home Affairs and Live Capture System in offices abroad is receiving attention.
END