South Africans living overseas will be able to have their passports delivered directly to their homes from 1 November 2025, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber announced on Wednesday.
The groundbreaking service marks the first time the Department of Home Affairs has offered courier delivery for critical identity documents, eliminating the need for citizens to make a second trip to collection centres.
Schreiber unveiled the initiative during an address to the South African community in The Hague, Netherlands, where the department launched its latest dedicated service centre. The new facility has dramatically reduced passport application waiting times from up to 18 months to just five weeks.
The doorstep delivery service will initially be available at all new Home Affairs service centres worldwide, with turnaround times ranging from 24 to 72 hours.
“This bold reform not only promotes inclusivity by resolving long-standing problems experienced by South Africans abroad when applying for a passport, but also amounts to another watershed moment for #TeamHomeAffairs,” Schreiber said.
The service will initially operate from existing service centres in 18 cities — spanning Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, the Netherlands, and Germany — with additional locations planned for the coming months. A full list of participating centres is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Testing Ground for Domestic Rollout
The overseas launch serves as a testing ground for the department’s broader digital transformation strategy. Once officials are satisfied with the service’s security and efficiency, the doorstep delivery option will be extended to all South Africans domestically.
“Through our vision to deliver Home Affairs @ home, we are pushing forward relentlessly to eliminate the need for clients to travel large distances and stand in long queues to obtain enabling documents,” the minister explained.
The initiative forms part of the department’s comprehensive digitalisation programme, which aims to decentralise access to government services and bring them directly to citizens wherever they live.
Schreiber emphasised that the reform represents a significant step in transforming Home Affairs “from a laggard to a world leader in identity management.”
The department plans to expand the domestic service through partnerships with the banking sector, utilising digital platforms to enhance accessibility for all South Africans.
The announcement comes as Home Affairs continues its broader service delivery revolution, leveraging technology to improve efficiency and reduce bureaucratic obstacles for citizens seeking essential documentation.
