
Three new South African Visa Facilitation Service centers (VFS) opened in London, Manchester and Edinburgh on August 7, 2015. The new centers provide eligible applicants with expedited processing, shorter waits, extended working hours and a new online tracking system.
The expected processing time for visa applications submitted to VFS centers can range from seven to 30 business days, depending on the type of application, including the day of submission and the day of collection. Actual processing times may change over time. Visa applications can be submitted and passports collected from 8am to 4pm on weekdays, except for public holidays. Passports will be kept at the VFS center during processing.
The South African High Commission in London will no longer accept any applications – all visa applications must go through one of the VFS centers.
Tracking System and Helpline
Applicants can check the status of their applications online and can register to receive text messages informing them of the status of their application at an additional cost. A helpline is also available from 8am to 4pm, which applicants can use to obtain assistance with their applications.
Applicants can utilize a Premium Lounge at an additional cost, where they can be assisted by dedicated staff to complete their applications in a separate lounge to expedite the time spent at the center.
Locations
- The London center is located at 66 Wilson Street, EC2 A2JX London.
- The Manchester center is located at No. 50 Devonshire Street North, M12 6JH Manchester.
- The Edinburgh center is located at 1 Rennie’s Isle, EH6 6QT Edinburgh.
What This Means for Foreign Nationals
Eligible applicants should benefit from more options for visa application submission and passport services, from faster processing and a helpline available for assistance with submission.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Awards
Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Awards
The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America™ honors numerous Fragomen attorneys for excellence in immigration law, including Partner Sarah K. Peterson, who received the distinguished “Lawyer of the Year” award.

Video
In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Blog post
Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

Fragomen news
Partner Charles Johanes contributed insights to the Australia section of a global immigration and mobility guide.

Media mentions
Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Blog post
Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Blog post
Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Video
In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Blog post
Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Awards
Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Awards
The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America™ honors numerous Fragomen attorneys for excellence in immigration law, including Partner Sarah K. Peterson, who received the distinguished “Lawyer of the Year” award.

Video
In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Blog post
Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

Fragomen news
Partner Charles Johanes contributed insights to the Australia section of a global immigration and mobility guide.

Media mentions
Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Blog post
Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Blog post
Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Video
In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Blog post
Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.