Canada

South African High Commission in Ottawa

Complete guide to the South African High Commission in Ottawa and Consulate General in Toronto. Passport renewal, Smart ID, citizenship, birth registration, and consular services for South Africans in Canada.

Contact Information

High Commission — Ottawa

15 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1M8
Canada

Phone & Email

Phone: +1 (613) 744-0330
Fax: +1 (613) 741-1639
Consular: consular.ottawa@dirco.gov.za
Political: political.ottawa@dirco.gov.za
Emergency: +1 (613) 404-4876

Opening Hours

Consular services: By appointment only
Closed on Canadian & SA public holidays
DIRCO Head Office: +27 12 351 1000

Consulate General — Toronto

Website: dirco.gov.za/toronto/

Serves South Africans in Ontario and eastern Canada.

Services Available

Passport Services

  • Passport renewals (directly at mission)
  • New/first passport applications
  • Child passport applications
  • Emergency Travel Certificates (BI-123)
  • Maxi Tourist Passport (48 pages)

Identity Documents

  • Smart ID card applications (Live Capture available)
  • ID book replacements
  • Temporary Identity Certificates

Civil Registration

  • Birth registration (SA citizenship by descent)
  • Marriage registration
  • Death registration
  • Unabridged birth certificates

Visa & Citizenship

  • Visa applications (visiting SA)
  • Citizenship by descent & retention
  • Notarial services & document authentication
  • Police clearance fingerprinting

Passport Renewal in Canada

Passport applications in Canada are handled directly at the High Commission in Ottawa or the Consulate General in Toronto.

Step-by-Step: Renewing Your SA Passport in Canada

  1. Book an appointment by emailing consular.ottawa@dirco.gov.za (Ottawa) or contact the Toronto CG
  2. Gather documents: current passport, South African ID, completed application form
  3. Attend the mission for biometric capture (photo & fingerprints)
  4. Pay the fee: R1,200 (standard 32-page) or R2,400 (maxi 48-page) — in CAD equivalent
  5. Wait for processing: approximately 6-8 weeks (forwarded to DHA Pretoria)
  6. Collect passport from the mission

Standard 32-page

R1,200

~6-8 weeks

Maxi 48-page

R2,400

~6-8 weeks

Emergency Travel Cert

R140

1-2 working days

Booking Appointments

All consular services are by appointment only.

South Africans in Canada

Canada is home to an estimated 60,000-80,000 South Africans, with major communities in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, and Montreal. The High Commission in Ottawa and Consulate General in Toronto serve this community. The official DIRCO website is dirco.gov.za/ottawa/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Book an appointment at the High Commission in Ottawa (consular.ottawa@dirco.gov.za) or the Consulate General in Toronto. Bring your current passport and SA ID. Fee: R1,200 (standard) or R2,400 (maxi), paid in CAD equivalent. Processing: 6-8 weeks.

15 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1M8. This is in the prestigious Sussex Drive diplomatic area, near Rideau Hall and the Prime Minister's residence. The Consulate General in Toronto also provides full consular services.

Yes, the Ottawa High Commission has DHA Live Capture equipment. Email consular.ottawa@dirco.gov.za to book. Processing takes 6-12 weeks. First Smart ID is free; re-issues cost R140. Check with the Toronto CG for availability there.

Book an appointment at the Ottawa HC or Toronto CG. Bring the original Canadian birth certificate, both parents' SA IDs/passports, marriage certificate, and DHA-24 form. Processing takes approximately 4 months.

After-hours emergency: +1 (613) 404-4876. DIRCO Head Office (24/7): +27 12 351 1000.

Canada Services

Official Links