A passport is a document issued by a national government for international travel and it certifies the identity and nationality of
the holder. Applicants should note that In terms of section 26(B) of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995, it is a punishable offence
for a South African citizen of 18 years and older to leave or enter the Republic of South Africa on a foreign passport. South African
passports and travel documents are issued in terms of the South African Passports and Travel Documents Act, 1994, and the related
Regulations.
South African passports are printed only in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, from where they are dispatched to the offices of
application. It is important to know that when you apply for a passport, whether in RSA or overseas, you must apply in person because:
- The passport officer must be satisfied that your identity is legal and valid;
- The passport officer must check that your photograph is a true image of yourself; and,
- Your fingerprints must be taken (for people who are aged 16 years or older) and checked against the National Population Register (NPR).
You must have a South African identity number when you apply for a passport. In the event that you do not have a South African identity
number, you must apply for the registration of your birth and for a South African identity document, as the case may be, first. Husband,
wife and children must all complete separate application forms. Both parents and the children concerned must be present when applying for
passports for children.
South African passports cannot be renewed. Once the validity period of a passport expires you will have to submit a new application for
a passport. Please see the types of South African passports:
Tourist Regular Passports (Adult): These passports are issued to SA citizens who are 16 years and older. The passports are valid for 10
years from the date of issue, and are not renewable. When your South African passport expires you have to complete a new application to get
a new passport. It contains 32 pages.
Tourist Maxi Passports (Adult): These passports are issued to SA citizens who are 16 years and older. Maxi passports are 48-page
documents meant for frequent travellers. They are the same as regular tourist passports except that they contain more pages for visas.
Tourist Passports (Child): These passports are issued to SA citizens who are aged 15 years or younger. These passports are valid for
5 years.
Official Passports: Official passports are issued to officials attached to government institutions who have to travel on official
business. These passports are only valid for a period of 5 years.
Diplomatic Passports: Diplomatic passports are administered by the Department of International Relations (DIRCO). Enquiries
should be directed to the Protocol Section in the aforesaid Department.
[NOTICE] The Department of Home Affairs no longer issues temporary passports as from 1 September 2014. Only emergency travel
certificates (ETC) will be issued to an applicant under circumstances of emergency travel purposes. Please refer to the link:
http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/notices/719-discontinuation-of-temporary-passports
Appointment bookings are required for all the visitors to the South African Embassy in Seoul. Walk-in services are NOT available.
If the applicant is under 18 years of age, both of his/her parents shall also be present to the Embassy and sign the forms.
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