South Africans living abroad can now enjoy a major upgrade in service from the Department of Home Affairs. As of 1 November 2025, the department is officially rolling out Home Affairs Doorstep Delivery, a new courier service allowing citizens to receive important documents directly at their homes.
This game-changing offering aims to cut lengthy wait times and reduce the hassle previously faced by expatriates applying for passports and other vital documents.
What is Home Affairs Doorstep Delivery?
Home Affairs Doorstep Delivery is a courier-based service that delivers official documents—like passports—directly to South Africans living outside the country.
Find out who qualifies for the new Passport Delivery Service from Home Affairs and what you need to know before applying.
Announced by Minister Leon Schreiber on 22 October 2025, the initiative is part of the department’s digital transformation strategy. It is currently available at 18 Home Affairs service centres worldwide, with more centres planned in the near future.
This move is not just about speed and convenience. Schreiber described it as a “watershed moment” for the department. It is a key step towards modernising and digitising South Africa’s identity management systems.
Home Affairs Doorstep Delivery Prices Explained
The department has officially confirmed Home Affairs Doorstep Delivery prices, and they vary depending on location and courier logistics.
- Delivery fees range between US$30 and US$60
- This converts to approximately R522 to R1,043, depending on exchange rates
Delivery turnaround times are also impressive. Documents can arrive within 24 to 72 hours once processed and dispatched.
These fees will apply to all Home Affairs service centres abroad, which include locations in cities such as Sydney, The Hague, and London. The service ensures faster, more reliable access to essential documents, addressing years of complaints from overseas citizens about slow processing times.
Why This Matters for South Africans Abroad
Previously, South Africans living overseas often waited months—or even more than a year—for passports. In some regions, the turnaround time was as long as 18 months.
Now, with new service centres like the one in Sydney, Australia, launched earlier in 2025, turnaround times have dropped to just five weeks. The addition of Home Affairs Doorstep Delivery trims this even further.
This reform is about more than speed. It reflects the department’s commitment to “deliver dignity for all,” as Schreiber puts it. It also brings South Africa’s public services in line with global standards, embracing technology to serve citizens better.
What Comes Next for South Africa?
While the service is currently limited to South Africans living abroad, Minister Schreiber confirmed plans to expand the delivery model to local citizens in the future.
Once successfully tested internationally, the department intends to launch Home Affairs Doorstep Delivery in South Africa. This will be supported through its new digital partnership model with the banking sector.
Under this model:
- Banks will no longer need to host duplicate Home Affairs infrastructure.
- Instead, biometric systems and APIs will connect Home Affairs to bank systems.
- Citizens will apply for documents at partner banks and receive them via courier.
This initiative will initially be rolled out in 100 bank branches by March 2026, with the goal of reaching 1,000 branches nationwide.
However, rollout delays may occur. Pilot testing for the new system is scheduled from January to March 2026, with development and integration continuing through the end of 2025.
Discover how more banks are joining Home Affairs’ digital push for IDs and passports and what this means for quicker service.
A Promising but Cautious Outlook
Although the plan is ambitious, some uncertainty remains. While Capitec and Standard Bank have committed to launching document services in select branches by the end of 2025, Home Affairs has indicated that full-scale testing is still underway.
The department recently told Parliament that facial recognition and fingerprint technology are still in the development phase. As a result, the full implementation across local banks could take longer than initially expected.
Nevertheless, the successful launch of Home Affairs Doorstep Delivery abroad demonstrates the department’s readiness to innovate and the possibility of scalable, tech-driven solutions for all South Africans.
A New Era for Home Affairs
The introduction of Home Affairs Doorstep Delivery marks a turning point for how the department serves South Africans, especially those abroad. With clearly defined pricing, fast turnaround times, and global service centres already active, this reform brings much-needed relief to thousands of citizens.
As the department continues its digital overhaul, the promise of similar services reaching South Africa seems within reach. The focus on dignity, efficiency, and modern systems signals a brighter future for Home Affairs.
