South Africans living abroad will soon be able to receive their new passports delivered straight to their doors, thanks to a groundbreaking initiative by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
The department confirmed that from 1 November 2025, citizens applying for passports through South Africa’s global service centres will have the option of door-to-door delivery, marking a first in the department’s history.
The announcement was made by Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber during a visit to the South African community in The Hague, Netherlands, as part of his global outreach programme.
Cutting down long waits and travel costs
Until now, South African expats living abroad had to make two separate trips to their nearest embassy or mission – one to apply for a passport, and another to collect it.
Some applicants faced waiting times of up to 18 months.
However, recent improvements in DHA’s international processing systems have already reduced those waits to around five weeks.
The new courier delivery system eliminates the need for the second visit entirely.
Once issued, passports will be delivered within 24 to 72 hours, at a cost ranging between $30 and $60 (R520 – R1 040) depending on the destination country.
A global rollout – with local ambitions
The doorstep delivery service will initially serve the expat community, operating as what Schreiber called a “sandbox phase” – a controlled pilot to test efficiency and security before expanding it to all South Africans.
“Once we are comfortable that doorstep delivery is working smoothly and securely for the relatively small population of South Africans living abroad, we will scale up this reform to provide all South Africans with the option to have their documents delivered to their doorstep,” Schreiber said.
He described the initiative as a “watershed moment”, symbolising a shift toward a tech-driven, globally competitive Home Affairs department designed to meet modern service expectations.
Where the service will be available
Initial rollout locations include London, Dubai, Perth, Auckland, New York, Ottawa, Berlin, and The Hague, among others, with more centres expected to join the network in 2026.
According to the department, the move is part of its broader “Home Affairs @ Home” strategy – aimed at bringing government services closer to citizens, whether they live in Johannesburg or Johannesburg, New Zealand.
Digital transformation in motion
Analysts have welcomed the reform as a long-overdue step toward modernising one of South Africa’s most criticised departments.
By embracing digital platforms, courier partnerships, and streamlined workflows, Home Affairs hopes to reduce queues, eliminate inefficiencies, and cut red tape for millions of citizens worldwide.
Full details on participating missions and courier options are available on the Home Affairs website and through official South African missions abroad.
