South African passport renewal fast track

By | November 20, 2024
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South African passport renewal fast track

 

When to Apply for Your South African Passport Renewal?

Most countries require that travellers have at least 6 months availability on their passport beyond the date of departure. Therefore, you are advised to renew your passport before it expires within the time frame of your travels.

Passport Costs

First Application for Tourist Passport R400
Renewal (must bring old passport) R400

South African Passport Renewal Requirements

  • A copy of your ID
  • Passport fee – R400
  • Your old passport

How to Renew and Apply for Your South African Passport Online

 

Account Registration

  • Simply go to the eHomeAffairs website and register.
  • Create a profile
  • Answer the security questions
  • Create a password
  • Capture the OTP (one-time pin) sent to your cellphone
  • Finally, attach a copy of your ID

Making the Payment

  • Enter your bank account details on the eHomeAffairs site.
  • You will then be required to log in to your internet banking to authorise the payment.
  • Log in to your internet banking account: go to the “My Bills” option under “Payments” to initiate the payment instruction.
  • Add the Department of Home Affairs as a beneficiary, and a payment instruction will appear under “My Bills”.
  • Finally, enter your reference number and approve the R400 payment to the Department of Home Affairs.

Record Your Biometrics

Option 1: Home Affairs Branch

  • Once the Department of Home Affairs has registered your payment you will be eligible to proceed with your biometrics data – two thumbprints, a photo and your signature.
  • You do not need to make an appointment at Home Affairs. Simply go to your local branch to have your biometrics done.
  • You will need to take your ID book with you to the Home Affairs branch.

Option 2: Home Affairs-Equipped Bank Branch

  • Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria residents can make an appointment for their biometrics at their local bank branch once their payment has been registered (see below).
  • You will be given a choice of time slots. Once you’ve selected a time slot, you will be sent a confirmation via SMS and email.
  • Take your ID book and confirmation email or SMS with you when going to your local bank branch.

Wait for an SMS or email

You will receive a notification that your passport is ready for collection at the Home Affairs or bank branch where your biometrics was captured, after approximately 10 days.

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With eHomeAffairs services available, your South African passport application and passport renewal process should prove to be a simple and easy task to do before booking your flight to your dream destination.

Biometrics Equipped Bank Branches

Branch City Address
ABSA Centurion Lifestyle Centurion Centurion Lifestyle, c/o Old Johannesburg Road and Lenchen Ave
Absa Tower North Johannesburg 180 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg
Absa Ghandi Square Johannesburg Ghandi Square, Johannesburg
FNB President Street West Johannesburg 47 Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Street, Johannesburg, 2000
FNB Merchant Place, Rivonia Johannesburg 4 Merchant Place, Cnr Rivonia Road and Fredman Drive
FNB Centurion Lifestyle Centurion Old Johannesburg Road and Lenchen Ave
FNB Lynwood (The Grove Mall) Pretoria The Grove Mall, Lynnwood Rd, Pretoria, 0081
Standard Bank Centurion Centurion Standard Bank Building, 1263 Embankment Rd
Standard Bank Killarney, Rosebank Johannesburg Killarney Mall, c/o Riveria Road and Killarney Ave
Standard Bank Canal Walk Cape Town Shop 599LL, Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Century City Dr
Nedbank Lakeside Mall Benoni Shop D6, Deck Level, Lakeside Mall, Tom Jones Street, Benoni, 1501
Nedbank Sandown Johannesburg 135 Rivonia Road (c/o Rivonia and Maude Street)
Nedbank Arcadia Pretoria Nedbank Plaza, 175 Steve Road, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0082

Read more: http://www.travelstart.co.za/blog/guide-south-african-passport-renewal/#ixzz5XQivV2C7
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Sponsored Guide

Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.

📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

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NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.

  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.

  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.

  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.

  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.

  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.

💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.

 

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