Massive hike in price for new South African passports

The Department of Home Affairs has gazetted new fees for travel documents in South Africa – and it’s not good news if you’re needing a new passport!

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According to BusinessTech, the cost of obtaining a new standard passport has been hiked by a full 50%.

Standard passports have cost R400 since 2011, but under the new regulations, this will be increased to R600.

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However, that’s still ‘cheap’ in comparison to those frequent travellers seeking a larger passport – known as a maxi passport – with 48 pages.

The cost of this document has now doubled from R600 to R1 200.

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Meanwhile, as with previous prices, the fees payable for the replacement of lost, stolen or damaged passports and documents will carry a 100% premium on the price.

Passport price changes will come into effect on 1 November

If the documents were lost, stolen or damaged through no fault of the applicant, the premium would be waived, and only the normal fee would apply, the department confirmed.

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For South Africans applying for documentation while outside of Mzansi, the fees carry a 100% premium, with passports costing R1 200, and maxi documents costing R2 400 at South Africa’s embassies, consulates and missions.

Emergency travel certificates remain unchanged at R140.

The new prices will come into effect on 1 November 2022.

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