South African High Commission

Trying to make an appointment for an emergency travel certificate as passport will not be ready in time. I called (before 15:00) only to be told that I would need to call between 15:00-17:00. That is exactly what I've been doing for the last 40 mins. The phone rings for a minute and then gets dropped. I have sent emails for an appointment as well but no joy.... Really feels like I'm back in South Africa.

The place where efficiency goes to die. Employees were actually pleasant which made a welcome change. Unfortunately, the actual passport collection process was a truly soul-destroying experience.

If you're trying to collect your passport, my advice would be to take a picnic, a folding chair and maybe a tent to shield from the weather. Unless you’re one of the first in line (you’ll need to arrive way before 14h00), you’ll be waiting a very, very long time outside before you get the opportunity to wait for a very, very long time inside. If you’re unlucky enough to have to travel from further afield, prepare yourself for a really rubbish day out.

I’ll probably avoid having more children as I don’t want the pain of getting them SA birth certificates/passports.

All done in two hours. 2 new id's and 2 passport renewals. Madelaine very helpful making extra copies that I forgot. Overall the waiting area is acceptable.

I have 2 criticisms and 1 positive:

- So many copious amounts of questions on the forms to fill in! And long waiting times. When will you match the efficiency of the UK and do passport applications ONLINE??
(100x more questions than necessary: Do you seriously need to still be asking for the document number and date that the grandmother left Zimbabwe to become a citizen of SA in order for the grandchild to apply for citizenship?)

- Non-smiley, unfriendly staff

- I reluctantly gave 2nd star because of this: Once I left an original document at home (forgotten under the photocopier) and the staff member mercifully (though with no smile) accepted the copy, saving me from having to redo the whole trip with my little one another day. I was anxious but very grateful.

I have been waiting for my sons renewed passport since August 2021. No email, can't get hold of them as their email inbox is full and no one bothers to answer the phone.
Now they have outsourced this process and they too can't help me.

So tell me..what do I do?
Is there anyone who knows how to get hold of these people?
Its a disgrace.

Very happy with the service. I emailed for an appointment. The auto response informed exactly what the message should contain. Sent another email with this info. Was sent an appointment confirmation. Arrived with all required documents. Less than 2 months later I have my replacement ID book. Thank you!!

Absolute disgrace!!! I've applied for my passport in Nov 2021, send them the legalised marriage certificate which they have requested. Tried to phone, email but no response. What is so difficult in answering a phone or reply to emails. If anyone can advise me of what to do next, please do :( they not even worth 1 star

South Africa House, the official South African diplomatic mission to the UK overlooking Trafalgar Square.
Designated Grade II Listed, attributed to Herbert Baker, opened in 1933.
Confident but predictable Imperial Classicism with a discretionary nod to Art Deco.
The exterior embellished with a safari of native South African flora and fauna carvings - the usual kitsch clichés: elephants, proteas, wildebeest and a gilded flying Springbok.
No Nelson Mandela, though a vertiginous Nelson’s column presides on Trafalgar Square.