South African citizens wanting to travel to other countries should have a valid South African passport.
If you have never owned one, you must apply for a passport at FNB.
But if you already have it, you will be allowed to travel easily.
Image: pinterest.com, @marieSource: UGC
A South African passport certifies that you are a citizen of South Africa.
It confirms the person’s identity and nationality.
It is critical to ensure that your book is valid before you plan to travel out of South Africa.
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The following are 10 crucial tips on passport renewal in South Africa.
Also, the final documents must be machine-readable.
It means that you cannot apply for this travel document from any office.
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But you might also get the same services at your local Bank.
The service was intended to reduce the long queues that were initially common at the departments offices.
Also, it was intended to make the whole process less frustrating.
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Unfortunately, you will not get these essential services at all the branches.
Here is a list of bank branches where you’re free to access passport system and renewal services.
After registration, you will be required to slide in your account details and approve the payment.
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Once it is done, you will need to choose a convenient FNB branch and schedule for an appointment.
Remember to print the appointment confirmation page.
c’mon carry along with your ID book.
Image: facebook.com, @WLSpottersSource: Facebook
In the absence of the book, you may bring a police affidavit with you.
The Department of Home Affairs is not an exemption.
It has introduced eHomeAffairs to enable South Africans to apply and renew their passports online.
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For those who already have internet banking, passport renewal in South Africa will be much easier.
The applicants will need to visit the Home Affairs office and have their biometric data collected.
They will then wait for one week before they can collect their passports.
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You will be prompted to create a profile and answer the security question.
Thereafter, you will be required to create a password to use to get in.
A one-time pin to use for this purpose will be sent to your cell phone.
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Note that the payment must be made online.
You will need to upload a photo, two thumbs, and signature for this purpose.
But do not forget to take your ID book to the Home Affair branch office that is near you.
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The bank will give you the time slot via email or SMS.
You will then have to wait for another 10 days before the passport can be available for collection.
You should start the process six months before the expiry date.
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Note that it is always easier to renew the document than to apply for a new one.
Know what is required
The process is straight forward and not tedious at all.
you gotta have the following documents to get the process going.
Image: pinterest.com, @New World ImmigrationSource: UGC
You may start the process by registering yourself at the eHomeAffairs website.
Prepare all the necessary supporting documents and upload the copies online.
If the submission is successful, then print the app form.
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It is proof that you submitted your system.
Applying for this travel document is one thing and getting it is a different thing altogether.
Generally, it may take between seven and 21 days to have it ready.
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If you are applying for renewal online, you should make the appointment online.
Also, it is important to remember that you cannot renew a South African passport once it expires.
This means that you must start the process early before the expiration date.
If you let it expire, you will have to make a fresh system for a new passport.
Even though, the process can be done online, from your workplace or at home.
But the renewal can only be affected if her Majesty’s office accepts your request.
The renewal process must take place through the UK government official website.
If you have no idea how to go about it, then seek help from a knowledgeable agent.
The renewal procedure
You will visit the official British Government website and choose the passport renewal option.
Here, you will be required to answer a few questions regarding your age and other relevant details.
You will then be required to fill an system form and pay the necessary system fee.
It means that you must have a credit card approved for international purchase.
Banks will also levy additional fees and currency exchange fee.
Once it is done, you will wait for six weeks before it is renewed.
In some cases, you will receive an interview call.
Also, her majestys office may require more information from you.
The office only accepts photographs that meet certain specifications.
So, you should probably be on the lookout and furnish them with all the necessary details.
During the process, you are advised not to plan any travelling.
However, you may apply for an emergency travelling document if need be.
No longer will you have to rely on phoney agents or become a victim of passport renewal scams.
hey visitthe Department of Home Affairsfor more information.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances.
Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019.
The writer completed a Google News Initiate Course.
you’ve got the option to email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
