United Kingdom

South African High Commission in London

Complete guide to the South African High Commission in London, serving the large South African community in the United Kingdom. Passport renewals via VFS Global, Smart ID applications, citizenship, birth registration, and consular assistance.

Contact Information

Main Office

South Africa House
Trafalgar Square
London, WC2N 5DP
United Kingdom

Consular & Home Affairs Section

15 Whitehall
London, SW1A 2DD
By appointment only
Email: london.civic@dirco.gov.za

Phone & Email

General: +44 20 7451 7299
Visa enquiries: london.visa@dirco.gov.za
Civic/Home Affairs: london.civic@dirco.gov.za
General: london.sahc@dirco.gov.za
DIRCO Head Office (after-hours): +27 12 351 1000

Opening Hours

General office: Mon-Thu 08:30-17:00, Fri 08:30-13:30
Consular (15 Whitehall): By appointment only
Closed on UK & South African public holidays

Services Available

Passport Services

  • Passport renewals (via VFS Global)
  • 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 at 15 Whitehall)
  • ID book replacements
  • Temporary Identity Certificates

Civil Registration

  • Birth registration (children born in the UK)
  • Marriage registration
  • Death registration
  • Unabridged birth certificates

Visa & Citizenship

  • Visa applications (visiting SA)
  • Citizenship by descent applications
  • Retention/resumption of citizenship
  • Notarial services & document authentication
  • Police clearance fingerprinting

Passport Renewal in the UK

South African passport renewals in the United Kingdom are processed through VFS Global, an outsourced service provider appointed by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The High Commission at 15 Whitehall handles first-time applications, birth registrations, and complex cases directly.

Step-by-Step: Renewing Your SA Passport in the UK

  1. Book online at passport.vfsglobal.com
  2. Gather documents: current passport, South African ID (Smart ID card or green ID book), completed application form
  3. Attend VFS centre for biometric capture (photo & fingerprints)
  4. Pay the fee: R1,200 (standard 32-page) or R2,400 (maxi 48-page) — equivalent in GBP at current exchange rate
  5. Wait for processing: approximately 6-8 weeks (application sent to DHA Pretoria)
  6. Collect passport from VFS or opt for doorstep delivery

Standard 32-page

R1,200

~6-8 weeks

Maxi 48-page

R2,400

~6-8 weeks

Emergency Travel Cert

R140

1-2 working days

Lost or stolen passport? If it was your fault (negligence), expect to pay double the standard fee. If robbery/theft (with police report), the standard fee applies. You can request an Emergency Travel Certificate from the High Commission for urgent return travel.

Booking Appointments

All consular services at 15 Whitehall are by appointment only. Walk-in visits are not accepted.

How to Book

Tip: Book well in advance — appointment slots fill quickly, especially during South African school holiday periods when many expats travel home.

South Africans in the UK

The United Kingdom is home to one of the largest South African diaspora communities, estimated at 350,000-500,000 people. London, the Midlands, and the Home Counties have particularly large SA populations. The High Commission at South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, is one of the busiest South African missions worldwide and serves as a vital link to home for passport, citizenship, and consular services.

The official DIRCO website for the UK mission is dirco.gov.za/uk/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Passport renewals in the UK are handled by VFS Global on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs. Visit passport.vfsglobal.com to book an appointment. Bring your current passport and SA ID. Biometrics are captured at the VFS centre. Processing takes approximately 6-8 weeks as applications are sent to Pretoria. The fee is R1,200 for a standard 32-page passport or R2,400 for a maxi 48-page passport.

Yes, the London High Commission has DHA Live Capture equipment at 15 Whitehall and can process Smart ID card applications. You must book an appointment by emailing london.civic@dirco.gov.za. Bring your current ID (green book or old Smart ID), passport, and proof of address. Processing takes approximately 6-12 weeks. The first Smart ID is free; re-issues cost R140.

The main office is at South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DP (nearest tube: Charing Cross). However, consular and Home Affairs services including passports, Smart ID, and birth registration are handled at the separate consular section at 15 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DD, by appointment only.

Passport fees when applying from abroad are R1,200 for a standard 32-page passport and R2,400 for a maxi 48-page passport (paid in GBP equivalent). If replacing a lost passport due to negligence, the fee is doubled. Emergency Travel Certificates cost R140 and can be issued within 1-2 working days for urgent travel.

If your child was born in the UK and at least one parent is a South African citizen, you can register the birth at 15 Whitehall. Book an appointment via london.civic@dirco.gov.za. Bring the original UK birth certificate (unabridged), both parents' SA IDs/passports, marriage certificate, and completed DHA-24 form. Processing takes approximately 4 months as the application is sent to DHA in Pretoria.

The general office at South Africa House is open Monday to Thursday 08:30-17:00 and Friday 08:30-13:30. The consular section at 15 Whitehall operates by appointment only. The mission is closed on both UK and South African public holidays. For urgent after-hours emergencies, call DIRCO Head Office on +27 12 351 1000.

The High Commission at 15 Whitehall offers fingerprinting services for South African police clearance certificates by appointment. Your fingerprints are sent to the South African Criminal Record Centre (SAPS) for processing. Book via london.civic@dirco.gov.za. Processing can take 8-12 weeks.

UK Services

Official Links