Thank you for visiting the official website of the South African High Commission in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK). Whether you are planning to visit South Africa, are keen to pursue economic interests in South Africa or are interested in the activities of the High Commission, we hope that you find the information useful.
Placing humanity at the centre of all of our activities, in particular the provision of service to our clients, the High Commission staff subscribes to “Batho Pele” (Putting People First) and to the principles of “Ubuntu.” These are reflective of the values that a democratic South Africa upholds, as we seek to create a better South Africa for all who live in it. The High Commission in the UK serves to contribute to the creation of a better South Africa through its engagement with the government and people of the United Kingdom.
South Africa’s democracy is a robust one. While we acknowledge that we have many challenges, we are not defined by it and therefore, we endeavour to constantly highlight the successes we have achieved, as a relatively young democratic nation.
South Africa remains a premier tourism destination characterised by youthfulness, beautiful wildlife, pristine beaches and breath-taking scenery, vibrant cultural and heritage offerings, unique cuisine, exciting adventure, an amazing climate and, a people collectively invested in providing you with your best experience yet.
South Africa is also open for business! As an emerging market economy, we boast world-class infrastructure, a highly developed and sophisticated banking system, an independent judiciary, the largest ports on the African continent and, our greatest asset – our highly resourceful people – who are ready to get to work and get the job done.
Due to new UK government measures to combat the spread of the Coronavirus, the High Commission is unable to attend to walk-in clients for Consular, Civic or Immigration matters.
Services at Whitehall
Emergency Travel Document(s)
South African citizens who already lodged applications for Emergency Travel Documents will be contacted individually and will be provided with a collection date, the date will be on a Tuesday or Thursday. Dates will be allocated according to date of Travel as per air tickets submitted.
People who were scheduled for November 2020 appointments to lodge Emergency Travel Document applications will be provided dates to submit applications, dates will be provided according to dates of travel. Emergency cases involving bereavement will receive priority.
Passports collection
If you have received notification that your passport is ready for collection, please use the postal option, procedure is on the notification email. Passports/Certificates will be dispatched once a week until the office re-opens.
Other applications
Please continue to send your applications by post.
Letters of retention will be processed and dispatched once a week during lockdown, until the office re-opens.
For urgent enquiries on Civic and Immigration issues only, send an email to:
Immigration Services:
VFS Global will be closed from end of business 4th November 2020 until further notice.
Office closure during the festive season:
The High Commission will be closed from 24-31 December 2020. Normal operations resume on 04 January 2021.
For information on the operating hours of the Department of Home Affairs that provides Civic and Immigration Services, kindly click here.
News & Announcements
ALL DOWNLOADBLE FORMS AND EXAMPLE OF COMPLETED FORMS:
Right click to access the all of the forms below.
Registration of marriagedivorce
Consent for issuance of a passport to a minor
Birth, marriages and death certificates guidance
Application for marriage certificate
Application for death certificate
Application for certificate of no impediment
MINOR CHILDREN FOREIGN PASSPORT
Birth Registration 14 and older
Birth registration 1 to 7 years
Birth registration over 31 days to 1 year
Retention of South African Citizenship
Requirements for Emergency Travel
Requirements for Child Passport
Requirements for Adult Passport
Birth registration within 30 days
Services at Whitehall
Emergency Travel Document
South African citizens who already lodged applications for Emergency Travel Documents will be contacted individually and will be provided with a collection date, the date will be on a Tuesday or Thursday. Dates will be allocated according to date of Travel as per air tickets submitted.
People who were scheduled for November 2020 appointments to lodge Emergency Travel Document applications will be provided dates to submit applications, dates will be provided according to dates of travel. Emergency cases involving bereavement will receive priority.
Passports collection
If you have received notification that your passport is ready for collection, please use the postal option, procedure is on the notification email. Passports/Certificates will be dispatched once a week until the office re-opens.
Other applications
Please continue to send your applications by post.
Letters of retention will be processed and dispatched once a week during lockdown, until the office re-opens.
Welcome to the new website
We are pleased to launch our new website and hope you find it useful in these difficult and uncertain times.
There are many updates for the website planned, so please bear with us as we implement them. For the moment, we’ve added the most critical information you need to access the services of the High Commission and stay up-to-date in the rapidly changing circumstances created by the current pandemic.