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The Chief Directorate: Consular Services in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in close collaboration with the Consular Sections of South African Representatives abroad (which include representatives of the Department of Home Affairs provides consular services to South African citizens who work, live and travel abroad.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is the custodian of all the South African embassies, missions and consulates abroad.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) along with the South African Defense Force (SADF), South African Police Services (SAPS), and South African Secret Service (SASS), and in some instances the Department of Trade & Industry and the Department of Agriculture have representatives in each of these embassies/missions. The representatives of each of the above departments then offer certain services to South African nationals abroad.
Services offered by Consular Officers in overseas missions in case of emergencies
Receiving and processing applications for:
- Birth, Death and Marriage registrations and certificate
- Identity documents
- *Passports (including temporary passports)
- Citizenship
The fees applicable for this service differ fro country to country due to currency exchange rates.
* Issuing temporary passports for emergency evacuations or to replace lost, stolen, damaged or expired passports. |
Department of Home Affairs |
Receiving and processing applications for:
- Visas
- Temporary Residency
- Permanent Residency (Immigration)
- Proof of permanent residence
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Department of Home Affairs |
Assisting in the evacuation of South African citizens abroad in cases of political turmoil, natural or other disasters. The nature of the event and considerations of safety could influence the embassy/consulate/mission’s ability to effect necessary plans and measures to ensure a timely evacuation.
Note that evacuation from a location abroad is not a right that can be claimed from the State. |
South African Defense Force |
Communicating on behalf of South African citizens abroad with family and/or friends who are in South Africa. |
Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
Providing non-financial assistance for repatriation, facilitating the transfer of funds from family and friends at home and assisting in getting urgently-needed medical or professional attention.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is able to provide financial assistance for subsistence expenses for a limited period. These funds are refundable to the department.
In such cases the Department of Home Affairs assists by verifying citizenship and also ascertaining whether you entered the foreign country legally. |
Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
Notifying the next of kin in the event of death, life threatening illness or injury of a South African citizen who is abroad and providing non-financial assistance and advice regarding the disposal of mortal remains of South Africans who died abroad.
In such cases, the Department of Home Affairs assists by validating and confirming the identity of the sick or deceased. |
Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
Liaising with the local authorities with regards to citizens who are reported missing while abroad. |
Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
Providing support services and advice in cases of hostage taking, kidnapping or abduction. |
South African Police Services, South African Secret Service |
Requesting local authorities to investigate suspicious deaths of and crimes against South African citizens. |
Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
Providing guidance, in collaboration with the Department of Social Development, on matters relating to adoptions. |
Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
Providing assistance to other states regarding their nationals who are based in South Africa. |
Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
Legal and Notary services provided by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
- Facilitating the serving of legal summons on defendants abroad.
- Conveying requests for extradition, letters rogatory and evidence between states. (A Letter Rogatory or Letter of Request is a formal request from a court to a foreign court for some type of judicial assistance).
- Authenticating public documents for use between states.
- Providing non-financial assistance to victims of crime.
- Providing advice, guidance and support to the custodial parent/guardian, in collaboration with the Office of the Family Advocate where indicated, in cases of abduction of South African children to foreign countries. Where there is evidence that the health and safety of the child is in jeopardy the matter is treated as an emergency.
- Providing a list of local lawyers and/or details of local Law Commissions.
- Providing a list of local translators.
Click here for information on what you should do should you be arrested while abroad.
Services NOT OFFERED by Consular Officers
- Giving legal advice
- Securing a release from prison/detention
- Intervening in court and/or legal proceedings
- Initiating or interfering in court or legal proceedings on behalf of South African citizens
- Requesting local authorities to give preferential treatment to South Africans
- Investigating crimes or deaths
- Obtaining criminal-record checks on behalf of South African citizens
- Enforcing a South African custody agreement abroad or compelling a country to make a ruling on a custody case
- Paying for cremations, burials or the repatriation of mortal remains to South Africa
- Formally assisting dual-nationals in the country of their second nationality
- Paying hotel, legal, medical or any other bills
- Paying for travelling expenses
- Undertaking any tasks that would normally be done by travel agents, airlines, banks, etc.
- Obtaining tourist or work permits on behalf of South African citizens
- Intervening in employer/employee disputes
- Storing personal effects or searching for lost items
- Accepting personal mail and parcels
- Issuing pensions and social security benefits
Got an emergency?
- Contact your nearest South African Representative
- For after-hours emergencies please contact the Department of Foreign Affairs’ emergency Operations Room at +27 12 351 1000 (from abroad or from inside SA)
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