South Africa: Civics Services Expansion for Citizens Abroad Facilitates Processes
July 9, 2025
The Minister of Home Affairs announced that by the end of July 2025, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will open dedicated facilities abroad to serve South Africans living and working overseas, with the first centers established in Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. Subsequently, centers are expected to open in France, Germany and the Netherlands in 2025 and then in North America in 2026. The centers aim to provide faster and more efficient services, including a five-week turnaround time for identification cards and passports, compared to the current processing time of three to six months. Additionally, citizens will also be able to apply for identification cards and passport services online through a digital identification system that will be introduced as part of the DHA’s ongoing digitization efforts. However, physical presence will still be required for certain steps, such as biometrics—one of the key services these new centers will support. These centers will provide a local presence for South Africans abroad to complete these steps without needing to return to South Africa or rely on limited embassy services.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.
Blog post
Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.
Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.
Video
In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.
Awards
Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.
Media mentions
Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.
Awards
Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger are named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law list.
Blog post
Business Immigration Manager Yvonne Lee and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock discuss bespoke services and residency planning options for private clients in the Asia-Pacific region.
Media mentions
Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights the importance of understanding local laws and protections when LGBTQIA+ individuals consider emigrating.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how proposed student visa limits could create challenges and add administrative burdens for international students.
Podcast
David Kipp von der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik im Gespräch mit Marius Tollenaere, Partner im Frankfurter Büro von Fragomen.
Blog post
Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.
Media mentions
Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.
Blog post
Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.
Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.
Video
In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.
Awards
Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.
Media mentions
Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.
Awards
Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger are named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law list.
Blog post
Business Immigration Manager Yvonne Lee and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock discuss bespoke services and residency planning options for private clients in the Asia-Pacific region.
Media mentions
Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights the importance of understanding local laws and protections when LGBTQIA+ individuals consider emigrating.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how proposed student visa limits could create challenges and add administrative burdens for international students.
Podcast
David Kipp von der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik im Gespräch mit Marius Tollenaere, Partner im Frankfurter Büro von Fragomen.
Blog post
Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.