South African nationals living in the UAE now have a more convenient way to renew their passports without the need to travel abroad or queue at the consulate. VFS Global, the official partner of the South African Department of Home Affairs, has begun offering passport renewal services at its Visa Application Centre in Wafi City, Dubai.
With more than 100,000 South Africans currently residing in the Emirates, the move is a welcome change, bringing essential consular services closer to the community. The service officially rolled out in July 2025, making VFS Global the only authorised facility for this process in the country, aside from the Embassy of South Africa in Abu Dhabi.
How the Process Works
Applicants can start the renewal process by booking an appointment through VFS Global’s official portal. On the scheduled day, they must bring the required documents, complete biometric enrolment, and pay the applicable fees. The applications are then sent to South Africa for processing before being returned to the Dubai centre for collection.
To help applicants track progress, each case comes with a unique reference number that allows for online status updates. The Department of Home Affairs advises applying at least 12 months before the passport expires and avoiding any travel commitments until the new passport is received.
Processing Time and Additional Services
The standard processing time is estimated at 8 to 10 weeks. While the core service remains consistent for all applicants, VFS Global offers optional extras to enhance the experience. These include premium lounge access for added comfort, professional assistance with form completion, SMS and email alerts, as well as printing and photocopy services. These add-on services are charged separately and do not influence the turnaround time.
Until now, South African residents in Dubai who wanted to renew their passports either had to visit the consulate or travel back to South Africa. By introducing this service in Wafi City, the process has become far more accessible, helping to reduce waiting times and travel expenses.
Monaz Billimoria, Regional Head – UAE at VFS Global, expressed confidence in the enhanced experience, highlighting the advantage of offering this service at one of the largest visa and passport application centres in the world.
Step-by-Step Passport Renewal Guide
- Visit the VFS Global website and select “Apply for Consular Services” ? “Passport”.
- Book an appointment at the Dubai centre or the South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
- Prepare all required documents as per the official checklist.
- Attend the appointment to submit documents, enrol biometrics, and pay fees.
- Track your application online using the reference number.
- Collect your renewed passport from the Dubai centre once it is processed in South Africa.
The addition of South African passport renewal services in Dubai marks a significant improvement in consular accessibility for the community. With a clear process, reasonable processing times, and the option for premium services, this change simplifies what was once a lengthy and inconvenient task.
