Latest Update (2025)
The Department of Home Affairs has expanded services to 1,000 bank branches nationwide for passport applications and biometric capture. Processing times in South Africa are typically 7-21 working days, while applications abroad take 6-12 months due to centralized printing in Pretoria.
What Is a South African Passport?
A South African passport is an official travel document issued by the DHA, certifying your identity and nationality for international travel. As of January 2025, South African passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 104 countries, ranking 48th globally.
Types of Passports:
- Regular Passport: 32 pages, valid 10 years for adults (16+), 5 years for children
- Maxi Passport: 48 pages for frequent travelers
- Official Passport: For government officials
- Diplomatic Passport: For diplomats
- Emergency Travel Certificate: For urgent travel needs
Eligibility
To apply, you must be a South African citizen:
- Adults need a valid South African ID
- Children require an unabridged birth certificate
- First-time applicants turning 16 must also apply for an ID
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
1. Gather Your Documents
For Adults (16+):
- Valid South African ID
- Completed DHA-73 form (signed with left thumbprint)
- Completed DHA-529 form (Determination of Citizenship)
- DHA-9 form for fingerprints
- Four passport photos (unless biometric capture available)
For Children (under 16):
- Unabridged birth certificate
- DHA-73 form signed by both parents
- Four passport photos
2. Choose Application Method
In-Person: At Home Affairs office or embassy
Online: Via eHomeAffairs (ehome.dha.gov.za) with biometrics at bank branches
3. Pay the Fees
| Passport Type |
In South Africa (R) |
Abroad (R) |
| Regular/Adult |
600 |
1,200 |
| Child |
600 |
1,200 |
| Maxi |
1,200 |
2,400 |
4. Submit and Wait
Processing times:
- In South Africa: 7-21 working days
- Abroad: 6-12 months
5. Collect Your Passport
Must be collected in person at the same location where you applied.
Recent Updates for 2025
Key Changes
- Bank Branch Expansion: 1,000 branches now offer passport services
- Digital Initiatives: Online applications via eHomeAffairs
- Visa-Free Access: Now 104 countries (up from previous years)
Tips for Smooth Application
- Apply 6-12 months before planned travel
- Double-check all documents
- Use online services where possible
- Track your application status
- Follow DHA updates at www.dha.gov.za
Final Thoughts
Applying for your South African passport in 2025 is manageable with proper preparation. Take advantage of digital services and bank branch locations for convenience. Safe travels with your “Green Mamba”!
Isibuyekezo Sakamuva (2025)
UMnyango Wezasekhaya unwebe izinsiza ezisebenza emabhange angu-1,000 ezweni lonke ukuthola izicelo zepasipoti kanye nokuthwebula i-biometric. Izikhathi zokucubungula eNingizimu Afrika zivame ukuba yizinsuku eziyi-7-21 zokusebenza, kuyilapho izicelo phesheya kwezilwandle zithatha izinyanga eziyi-6-12 ngenxa yokunyatheliswa okusemkantshubomvu ePitoli.
Iyini ipasipoti yaseNingizimu Afrika?
Ipasipoti yaseNingizimu Afrika iyidokhumenti yokuhamba esemthethweni ekhishwa nguMnyango Wezasekhaya, efaqaza ubunikazi bakho kanye nobuzwe bakho ukuze uhambelane namazwe ngamazwe. Kusukela ngoJanuwari 2025, abanikazi bepasipoti yaseNingizimu Afrika bajabulele ukungena ngaphandle kwevisa noma ukuthola i-visa lapho ufika emazweni angu-104, behlela endaweni ye-48 emhlabeni.
Izinhlobo Zepasipoti:
- Ipasipoti Evamile: Amakhasi angu-32, isikhathi esiyiminyaka eyi-10 kubantu abadala (16+), iminyaka emi-5 ezinganeni
- Ipasipoti Enkulu: Amakhasi angu-48 abahambi abavamile
- Ipasipoti Esemthethweni: Yezikhulu zikahulumeni
- Ipasipoti Yosomabhayisikobho: Yosomabhayisikobho
- Isitifiketi Sokuhamba Esiphuthumayo: Sidingeka uma udinga ukuhamba ngokushesha
Ukufaneleka
Ukufaka isicelo, kufanele ube ngumzakhi waseNingizimu Afrika:
- Abantu abadala badinga i-ID yaseNingizimu Afrika esebenza
- Izingane zidinga isitifiketi sokuzalwa esingacutshunguliwe
- Abafaki izicelo okokuqala abaneminyaka eyi-16 kufanele futhi bafake isicelo se-ID
Indlela Yokufaka Isicelo: Inqubo Yesinyathelo Ngesinyathelo
1. Qoqa Amadokhumenti Akho
Kubantu Abadala (16+):
- I-ID yaseNingizimu Afrika esebenza
- Ifomu le-DHA-73 eligcwele (elisayinwe ngesithupha sangakwesobunxele)
- Ifomu le-DHA-529 eligcwele (Isinqumo Sobuzwe)
- Ifomu le-DHA-9 lezikhonkwane
- Izithombe ezi-4 zepasipoti (ngaphandle uma kutholakala ukuthwebula i-biometric)
Ezinganeni (ezingaphansi kweminyaka eyi-16):
- Isitifiketi sokuzalwa esingacutshunguliwe
- Ifomu le-DHA-73 elisayinwe ngabazali bobabili
- Izithombe ezi-4 zepasipoti
2. Khetha Indlela Yokufaka Isicelo
Ukuya mathupha: Ehhovisi lasekhaya noma enkonzweni
Ku-inthanethi: Nge-eHomeAffairs (ehome.dha.gov.za) ngokuthwebula i-biometric emabhange
3. Khokha Imali
| Uhlobo Lwepasipoti |
ENingizimu Afrika (R) |
Phesheya (R) |
| Evamile/Yabadala |
600 |
1,200 |
| Ingane |
600 |
1,200 |
| Enkulu |
1,200 |
2,400 |
4> Thumela Bese Ulinda
Izikhathi zokucubungula:
- ENingizimu Afrika: Izinsuku eziyi-7-21 zokusebenza
- Phesheya: Izinyanga eziyi-6-12
5. Qoqa Ipasipoti Yakho
Kufanele uyiqoqe mathupha endaweni efanayo lapho ufake khona isicelo.
Izibuyekezo Zango-2025
Izinguquko Ezibalulekile
- Ukunwetshwa Kwemisebenzi Yasebhange: Amabhange angu-1,000 manje anikezela ngezinsiza zepasipoti
- Izinhlelo Zedijithali: Izicelo zaku-inthanethi nge-eHomeAffairs
- Ukungena Ngaphandle Kwevisa: Manje amazwe angu-104 (enyuke kusukela eminyakeni edlule)
Amathiphu Okufaka Isicelo Okushelelayo
- Faka isicelo izinyanga eziyi-6-12 ngaphambi kohambo oluhleliwe
- Hlola kabusha wona amadokhumenti
- Sebenzisa izinsiza zaku-inthanethi lapho kungenzeka khona
- Landelela isimo sesicelo sakho
- Landela izibuyekezo ze-DHA ku-www.dha.gov.za
Imicabango Yokugcina
Ukufaka isicelo sakho sepasipoti yaseNingizimu Afrika ngo-2025 kuyasebenza uma ulungiselele kahle. Sebenzisa izinsiza zedijithali kanye nezindawo zamabhange ukuze kube lula. Uhambo oluphephile nge-“Green Mamba” yakho!
