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You need to know that there are different types of passports, and they all have different processes and fees. Here are a few of the most commonly needed:
Tourist Passport
Visitor's passports are issued to people over the age of 16 and are valid for ten years. To apply, you need to complete form BI-73 and submit it at a Home Affairs domestic office.
What you need:
• Proof of identity.
• Two passport photographs.
• Fingerprints taken.
• Pay a fee of roughly R400.
It will take about ten weeks to process.
Child’s Passport
This passport is issued to children under the age of 16 and is valid for five years. To apply, you need to complete form BI-73 and submit it at a Home Affairs domestic office.
What you need:
• Proof of identity.
• Two passport photographs.
• Pay a fee of roughly R400.
It will take about ten weeks to process.
Emergency Travel Certificate / Temporary Passport
These documents can be issued to you if you need to travel urgently and there isn’t enough time to process a passport application. *But don’t let this happen just because you left things too late!
The certificate is valid for 9 months and can only be used for a single journey, while the temporary is valid for 12 months. To apply, you need to complete form BI-73 and submit it at a Home Affairs domestic office.
You must also:
• Have proof of your identity.
• Supply two passport photographs.
• Have your fingerprints taken.
• Pay a fee of roughly R140 (emergency) / R180 (temporary)
It will take about a week to process both.
Remember…
Our Home Affairs offices are really trying to get their ducks in a row, and from what I’ve heard, they’ve improved the rate at which they get things done. Hoorah! Even so, it’s probably wise to set aside a day (TIP: Weekdays are generally not as busy as weekends, so take a day's leave if you can.) to get everything organised… and maybe a bit of Rescue Remedy to help soothe any nerves you may have when dealing with queues and attendants…
Do you have any tips or experiences to share? What are your thoughts on the process?
Tourist Passport
Visitor's passports are issued to people over the age of 16 and are valid for ten years. To apply, you need to complete form BI-73 and submit it at a Home Affairs domestic office.
What you need:
• Proof of identity.
• Two passport photographs.
• Fingerprints taken.
• Pay a fee of roughly R400.
It will take about ten weeks to process.
Child’s Passport
This passport is issued to children under the age of 16 and is valid for five years. To apply, you need to complete form BI-73 and submit it at a Home Affairs domestic office.
What you need:
• Proof of identity.
• Two passport photographs.
• Pay a fee of roughly R400.
It will take about ten weeks to process.
Emergency Travel Certificate / Temporary Passport
These documents can be issued to you if you need to travel urgently and there isn’t enough time to process a passport application. *But don’t let this happen just because you left things too late!
The certificate is valid for 9 months and can only be used for a single journey, while the temporary is valid for 12 months. To apply, you need to complete form BI-73 and submit it at a Home Affairs domestic office.
You must also:
• Have proof of your identity.
• Supply two passport photographs.
• Have your fingerprints taken.
• Pay a fee of roughly R140 (emergency) / R180 (temporary)
It will take about a week to process both.
Remember…
Our Home Affairs offices are really trying to get their ducks in a row, and from what I’ve heard, they’ve improved the rate at which they get things done. Hoorah! Even so, it’s probably wise to set aside a day (TIP: Weekdays are generally not as busy as weekends, so take a day's leave if you can.) to get everything organised… and maybe a bit of Rescue Remedy to help soothe any nerves you may have when dealing with queues and attendants…
Do you have any tips or experiences to share? What are your thoughts on the process?
