Biltong, known by citizens of South Africa as a South African passport, was first issued on April 1 Two thousand nine(2009).
South African Passport ranks as the ninety-eight strongest Passport in the world as of January 23 (2023), according to the VisaGuide Passport Index, with access to one hundred and six countries without a visa.
Eligible for only South African citizens. Issued by the South Africa Department of Home Affairs, with a validity of ten years. Once it expires, it cannot be renewed. Thus, it’s necessary to apply for a new one.
New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles are consulates where citizens of South Africa can apply for passports. A South African passport takes six months to be validated in the US.
Types of South African Passport
Stated below are six types of South African passports issued by the South Africa Department Of Home Affairs;
Regular Passport
Contains thirty-two pages.Issued for applicants under the age of sixteen and above.
Child Passport
Child Passports are issued to applicants aged fifteen and below. Valid for five years.
Emergency Travel Certificate
Emergency travel certificates are issued to South African citizens for urgent or emergency purposes, valid for months to a year.
Official Passport
Official passports are issued to officials attached to government institutions for business purposes and are valid for five years.
Diplomatic Passport
Diplomatic Passports are Issued to diplomats for work-related vacations.
Maxi Passport
Maxi Passport contains forty-eight pages of document passports, valid for ten years.
South African Passport Application In US
A South African passport, once expired, can’t be renewed. The holder must apply for a new one. The following steps are required to apply for a South African passport.
Form (B1-73)
Sections A and B consist of applicant particulars. Section B requires a stamp from a police station or notary public for authentication.
Pivotal Supporting Documents
- The B1-73 application form was completed and signed.
- B1-9 form comprises Biometrics.
- The B1-529 form was available for download.
- Submission of marriage certificate by married applicants.
- Validated copy of applicant’s recent South Africa Passport.
- Duplicate the applicant’s birth certificate or other forms of identity.
- Requirement for applicants: four passport photos.
Requirement for Passport Photo
Applications can only be allowed if the passport photo meets its requirements. Thus, it’s mandatory to follow its procedure.
- Passport photos must be equivalent and in color.
- Applicants’ faces and shoulders must be visible; the beginning takes up eighty percent of the area.
- Applicants’ heads must be fixed directly to the camera.
- There should be no obstruction of objects on the face(glasses, headgear).
- Applicants must put on facial expressions, eyes open and eyes closed.
Applicants can extend their South African Passport to the US if they follow the following steps.
Completed Application can be submitted through mail or personally to the specified consulate.
Conclusion
This article discusses how to extend a South African passport in the US, the types of South African passports, South African applications, and the requirements for passport photos.