Can your Visa Team guarantee an outcome to our visa applications?
Given that as a Visa Team we only help write a letter of invitation from our YWAM Base, we have very little to do with the visa application process. We attempt to help and have gathered information based on our experience and research, but you will need to take full responsibility for this process.
If you would like further help from professionals in this area - we actually have many of our long term missionaries hire professional immigration services, who you can contact through their website: Imcosa Immigration Consulting
What is the contact information for the South African embassy or consulate services in South Africa?
+27 (0)12 425 3000 or email info.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
What are do the different stages of tracking mean for my VFS Application?
You can track your application by signing up for SMS updates (which are unreliable) or by logging into the VFS website to see the latest status for your application. Here are what the various stages mean :
Submitted at VFS, Cape Town
Forwarded to DHA
Received at DHA
Forwarded to the Pretoria OC - make an appointment for collection now as it should arrive at VFS within 1-3 days
Received by Pretoria OC -
Forwarded to VFC -
Received at VFC - your outcome is ready for collection at VFS, so if you have not already, you should make an appointment
What if you had to renew a passport (either because it expired or because it is not valid for 30 days longer than the visa you are applying for) and the current visas are in the old passports?
You do not have to apply for a change of conditions on the current visa (to change it to the new passport number first)
Write a cover letter for that applicant stating that you had to renew the old passport (state the old passport number) and kindly request the renewed visa to be issued into the new passport (state new passport number).
Attach copies of the old passport and bring the original with you to the appointment
What if I cannot collect my Visa Application myself?
When you apply, you can choose whether you would prefer to collect your documents in person at the Visa Facilitation Centre or have a representative collect the decision on your behalf. Original passport is required to collect the decision. In case original passport is not available at the time of collection, VFS Global shall not handover the decision to the applicant or representative. A representative needs to carry an authorization letter with name of the applicant and his passport number followed by name and ID number of the representative collecting the application. The representative is requested to carry a copy of the ID along with authority letter which will be retained by VFS Global
What if my spouse or child receive an outcome to their visa application before I do?
There isn’t an urgency for you to collect your outcome, in fact you should delay until your whole families visas have their outcome ready to collect. The reason for this is that if any of your applications are rejected you only have ten days to appeal from the day you collected your outcome, or you will need to leave the country.
Can I edit or change the documents I’ve submitted for my visa application?
You will not be able to submit further documents once your application has been submitted at the Visa Facilitation Centre. The documents that you submitted at the time you made your application will be the only documents that are considered.
What is the process like to get our biometric information at VFS?
You will enroll your fingerprints and photograph at the Visa Facilitation Centre. This includes a digital finger scan (all 10 digits) and a digital photograph. The finger scan procedure uses an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical. You should ensure that your fingertips are free from any forms of decoration (for example, henna), cuts, abrasions or other markings as these may affect your ability to provide acceptable finger scans. Your digital photograph must be taken with full face and without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or head covering unless it is worn for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible with no hair across the eyes. We cannot process your visa if you do not submit your biometric information. All children and infants will also provide their biometric data as required by Department of Home Affairs.
What if I loose my passport as an expat (I am not South African)?
Step One : As soon as you are aware that your passport is missing, head to your nearest police station and open a case. You will be issued a case number.
Step Two : Find the nearest embassy or consulate for your passport nation - look up their website and find what paperwork you will need to gather and if you need to make an appointment. There are two options for getting travel documents:
Travel Document : this is if you are in urgent need to travel - this document allows you to return to your home country and it typically only has a limited amount of time that it is valid. You will not be allowed to travel any further with this document.
Permanent Passport : this may take several weeks to be completed and sent to your location, but is the best short term way to obtain a passport
Step Three : Gather the documents you need, often they will include:
Evidence of your citizenship (e.g. a birth certificate, identity document, certified copy of passport, if able)
Copy of the police report (the translation must be in English)
Two photographs (size 35x 45mm)
Paying a fee
Step Four : Make an appointment at the embassy or consulate (as needed)
To be prepared incase of losing your passport again:
Make at least one or two copies of your passport and keep these in various places
Leave a copy with a friend or family member at home
Make sure to keep a virtual copy of your passport that is always available, like on your Google Drive or Dropbox. This way, regardless of where you are, you’ll always have a copy, assuming you have access to an internet connection and a printer
To add a Visa to your new passport, follow these steps from VFS.
How do I make an electronic signature?
This doesn’t necessarily come up for visa applications as its best practice to physically print and sign papers for your application, but often for official documents, our staff want to add their signature electronically, so here’s how you do that!
Step One : On a white piece of paper, write your signature in black ink
Step Two : Take a photo of your signature on a phone
Step Three : Upload the photo you’ve taken to this website
This will make take the white background, and make it “transparent”, so you can take this jpeg and drag it into documents to add your signature electronically!