South Africans living overseas will soon be able to receive their new passports at their doorstep, following a major service upgrade announced by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.

From 1 November 2025, citizens applying for passports at South Africa’s overseas service centres will have the option of direct courier delivery within 24 to 72 hours once the document is ready. Applicants will pay a delivery fee ranging from US$30 to US$60, depending on the destination.

The initiative, unveiled during Schreiber’s address to the South African community in The Hague in the Netherlands, marks the latest step in the department’s push to modernise its services and eliminate long-standing frustrations. Until now, South Africans abroad were required to visit embassies twice, first to submit biometrics, and again to collect the passport, often travelling great distances.

Schreiber said the doorstep delivery system would initially operate in 18 cities around the world, with plans to expand as more dedicated service centres open. The department has already reduced passport turnaround times for overseas applicants from up to 18 months to about five weeks.

Officials describe the new model as a “pilot phase” for wider reform. If successful, it could eventually extend to South Africans inside the country, including through digital partnerships with banks and private couriers.

Home Affairs framed the change as part of a broader drive to cut red tape, decentralise identity services, and align government systems with global standards for digital public service.