Results - Survey (March)

Access to South African Home Affairs Services Abroad

Initial Findings from Global Survey (13–31 March 2026) - This report presents the first results from an ongoing civil society initiative tracking access to South African Home Affairs services for citizens living abroad. Each month we will publish an updated report and submit to relevant officials at the Department of Home Affairs and the DHA Portfolio Committee MP's.

Below breaks down some of the key initial findings. For the full report please scroll to the bottom.

289 responses in first 2 weeks

Global Participation

March '26 Launched

Monthly Tracking

Booking Systems are Failing

Many respondents were unable to secure appointments at all.

Communication is Unreliable

Emails and calls go unanswered.

Information is Unclear

Conflicting guidance across platforms.

Widespread Delays

Long processing times.

Costs are high

Travel + extra admin fees create major barriers.

Impact of service separation (VFS vs missions)

More than half of respondents indicated that the outsourcing of services to VFS Global has made accessing consular services more difficult, adding complexity, additional steps, and barriers to an already challenging process.

Convenience/affordability of locations

The limited availability and accessibility of service locations are creating significant barriers, with many applicants required to travel considerable distances to access basic services.

Was your appointment handled effectively?

While many respondents reported positive interactions with staff, a substantial number experienced poor service, highlighting inconsistency across locations.

Which stages could you track?

Tracking of applications is extremely limited, with most respondents only able to confirm submission, and almost none able to track progress through later stages of processing.

Overall experience

Out of 289 respondents, 1,431 challenges were reported, showing that most individuals faced multiple significant barriers, pointing to deeply systemic issues in accessing Home Affairs services abroad.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT