I’m a South African citizen with ILR in UK.
I’d like to share my experience of applying for new passport here.
You can apply for it at 3 VFS Global centres: Manchester, London, Edinburgh. Dept of Home Affairs launched new application process in June 2022, with VFS as official outsourcing partner. They promised this would speed up the wait times for new passports.
Prior to that you had to apply via South African House in London and could apply in person or by post. You had to request a unique form with barcode for your fingerprints in writing in advance and wait good few months just to receive that (according to the few posts I could find). I read you have to apply about 12 months before it’s due to expire as it takes long for the application to be processed etc.
It is no longer possible to apply via South African house and you must make appointment at VFS office.
On the VFS website it has 2 forms you need to download and print and complete. They give you the other form with barcode for fingerprints at the centre during your appointment, there is no way to get this form before that (more about this form and fingerprints later)
I was able to get appointment for the next day. You don’t pay when you book, you pay for everything at the centre during your appointment. The cost is £107.50. This includes appointment, processing, the form for taking of fingerprints and photo’s. They didn’t even ask me if I had photo’s, they take it there and that’s how it’s done.
Documents you need to take:
The 2 completed application forms - make sure you make note of your parents and spouse’s ID numbers, date of their marriage etc as you need it for those forms and again once they’ve taken those forms from you! (More about that further down!)
Current passport
Current ID book /card
If married - original marriage certificate, signed letter stating if you want passport in married or maiden name
If you are divorced or have dual nationality there are other documents needed.
I recommend contacting them via email to check beforehand. They take 2 days to reply, but helpful replies. There is also premium phone number, but it’s very expensive and try keeping you on phone longer.
You need 2 certified copies of each document you submit (excluding application forms) - can be certified at post office, by solicitor or accountant etc. I also noticed while at the centre that they did it there for some people.
Now, more about appointment. My appointment was on 01/12/2022. As I said, I went to Manchester centre. The centre is not conveniently located and bit far out for those using tram or train. I got an uber, noticed many did the same.
Be prepared for a long wait!
You can only enter centre from 20 mins before your appointment time. My appointment was early morning and it was cold that day. Had to wait outside until 20 mins before time.
when you check in, you are given barcoded number. Let’s say my number was ABC03. You then wait for your number to flash on the screen and off you go.
Each country is served by different counter and I noticed different number sequences for each.
I’d been sat down for 15 mins and heard number ABC01 being called, I though oh okay, they are probably like 30 mins behind. That applicant’s appointment lasted about 45 mins! Then I heard they were given a form and told to complete it in waiting area and when they are done to return it to counter. Okay, so I thought maybe they didn’t have all the forms filled out before appointment.
Then, I number ABCA01 was called, I was expecting ABC02 to be called. That applicant had their 45 mins of fun and then next number was ABC02, then ABCA02 and finally ABC03 (me!, more than 2 and half hours after appointment time!) I realised it must be that they do one passport application, then one visa application appointment.
So, when you are at the counter they ask you for all the documents, then you need to roll your own fingerprints in black ink and press your fingers down on the fingerprints form with barcode on. The same form you can only get during the appointment time and not before, the same form that you then need to take to the waiting room to complete after paying your £107.50 and having your photo taken by camera with blinding flash!
Remember I said to make sure you have another note of parents and spouse’s ID numbers? You will need to enter this information, again, on this form that now has your inky fingerprints (in my case smudged prints) on, while trying your best not to smudge them more. Once you’ve completed the form, you need to hand it back at same counter you were seen and the polite thing is to wait until they don’t have an applicant there, you will end up waiting even longer! All in all I was inside the centre from 9:40 - 12:50…
i was told it takes about 3 months for the passport to be ready for collection, but it can take a lot longer, like up to 9 months. I was also told that if my fingerprints are rejected that I will need to return to the centre, redo them etc! You are told to hold onto the payment receipt and your current passport and that you will need to bring that when you collect it. They will inform you by SMS and email. I only got emails from them.
Timeline:
Application ref forwarded to VFS London on 01/12/2022
application ref received at VFS London on 02/12/2022
Application ref dispatched from VFS London to manchester on 05/01/2023
passport ready for collection on 16/01/2023
Collection day:
i need to mention the email stated collection is only 16:00 -17:00, however the website stated 12:00 - 13:30. When you get the collection email, contact them to clarify the time so it’s not wasted journey. For me, the centre is 3 hour drive
I sent an email asking for clarification as didn’t want to be turned way if too early or come too late. They confirmed website time 12:00 - 13:30 is correct.
when you arrive, you are once again given a number and told to wait. I had number ABC01, which would suggest I was first. It should only take about 10 mins at most, right? I arrived at 12:18 and was only called at 13:25. When I sat down at counter it was at least another 5 mins before anyone appeared to help me. Took another 5 mins for them to find my passport and then I had to sign document saying I received it etc. Left the centre at 12:45. Again, be prepared for a long wait.
The processing passport was quick, but appointment and collection experience could be improved.
I’d like to share my experience of applying for new passport here.
You can apply for it at 3 VFS Global centres: Manchester, London, Edinburgh. Dept of Home Affairs launched new application process in June 2022, with VFS as official outsourcing partner. They promised this would speed up the wait times for new passports.
Prior to that you had to apply via South African House in London and could apply in person or by post. You had to request a unique form with barcode for your fingerprints in writing in advance and wait good few months just to receive that (according to the few posts I could find). I read you have to apply about 12 months before it’s due to expire as it takes long for the application to be processed etc.
It is no longer possible to apply via South African house and you must make appointment at VFS office.
On the VFS website it has 2 forms you need to download and print and complete. They give you the other form with barcode for fingerprints at the centre during your appointment, there is no way to get this form before that (more about this form and fingerprints later)
I was able to get appointment for the next day. You don’t pay when you book, you pay for everything at the centre during your appointment. The cost is £107.50. This includes appointment, processing, the form for taking of fingerprints and photo’s. They didn’t even ask me if I had photo’s, they take it there and that’s how it’s done.
Documents you need to take:
The 2 completed application forms - make sure you make note of your parents and spouse’s ID numbers, date of their marriage etc as you need it for those forms and again once they’ve taken those forms from you! (More about that further down!)
Current passport
Current ID book /card
If married - original marriage certificate, signed letter stating if you want passport in married or maiden name
If you are divorced or have dual nationality there are other documents needed.
I recommend contacting them via email to check beforehand. They take 2 days to reply, but helpful replies. There is also premium phone number, but it’s very expensive and try keeping you on phone longer.
You need 2 certified copies of each document you submit (excluding application forms) - can be certified at post office, by solicitor or accountant etc. I also noticed while at the centre that they did it there for some people.
Now, more about appointment. My appointment was on 01/12/2022. As I said, I went to Manchester centre. The centre is not conveniently located and bit far out for those using tram or train. I got an uber, noticed many did the same.
Be prepared for a long wait!
You can only enter centre from 20 mins before your appointment time. My appointment was early morning and it was cold that day. Had to wait outside until 20 mins before time.
when you check in, you are given barcoded number. Let’s say my number was ABC03. You then wait for your number to flash on the screen and off you go.
Each country is served by different counter and I noticed different number sequences for each.
I’d been sat down for 15 mins and heard number ABC01 being called, I though oh okay, they are probably like 30 mins behind. That applicant’s appointment lasted about 45 mins! Then I heard they were given a form and told to complete it in waiting area and when they are done to return it to counter. Okay, so I thought maybe they didn’t have all the forms filled out before appointment.
Then, I number ABCA01 was called, I was expecting ABC02 to be called. That applicant had their 45 mins of fun and then next number was ABC02, then ABCA02 and finally ABC03 (me!, more than 2 and half hours after appointment time!) I realised it must be that they do one passport application, then one visa application appointment.
So, when you are at the counter they ask you for all the documents, then you need to roll your own fingerprints in black ink and press your fingers down on the fingerprints form with barcode on. The same form you can only get during the appointment time and not before, the same form that you then need to take to the waiting room to complete after paying your £107.50 and having your photo taken by camera with blinding flash!
Remember I said to make sure you have another note of parents and spouse’s ID numbers? You will need to enter this information, again, on this form that now has your inky fingerprints (in my case smudged prints) on, while trying your best not to smudge them more. Once you’ve completed the form, you need to hand it back at same counter you were seen and the polite thing is to wait until they don’t have an applicant there, you will end up waiting even longer! All in all I was inside the centre from 9:40 - 12:50…
i was told it takes about 3 months for the passport to be ready for collection, but it can take a lot longer, like up to 9 months. I was also told that if my fingerprints are rejected that I will need to return to the centre, redo them etc! You are told to hold onto the payment receipt and your current passport and that you will need to bring that when you collect it. They will inform you by SMS and email. I only got emails from them.
Timeline:
Application ref forwarded to VFS London on 01/12/2022
application ref received at VFS London on 02/12/2022
Application ref dispatched from VFS London to manchester on 05/01/2023
passport ready for collection on 16/01/2023
Collection day:
i need to mention the email stated collection is only 16:00 -17:00, however the website stated 12:00 - 13:30. When you get the collection email, contact them to clarify the time so it’s not wasted journey. For me, the centre is 3 hour drive
I sent an email asking for clarification as didn’t want to be turned way if too early or come too late. They confirmed website time 12:00 - 13:30 is correct.
when you arrive, you are once again given a number and told to wait. I had number ABC01, which would suggest I was first. It should only take about 10 mins at most, right? I arrived at 12:18 and was only called at 13:25. When I sat down at counter it was at least another 5 mins before anyone appeared to help me. Took another 5 mins for them to find my passport and then I had to sign document saying I received it etc. Left the centre at 12:45. Again, be prepared for a long wait.
The processing passport was quick, but appointment and collection experience could be improved.
