What Is an Emergency Passport in South Africa?
An emergency passport in South Africa is a standard South African passport processed on a priority basis for applicants who have an urgent, verifiable travel need.
It is not a separate document. The passport issued is identical to a standard South African passport — valid for 10 years. The difference is processing priority, not the document itself.
There are two distinct emergency travel options depending on where you are:
| Situation | Document | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Inside South Africa — need to travel urgently | Emergency passport (standard passport, priority processing) | 10 years |
| Outside South Africa — no valid passport, need to return home | Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) | 1 month to 1 year, single journey to SA only |
Inside South Africa — Emergency Passport Application
Who Qualifies
You qualify for an emergency passport inside South Africa if you have a genuine urgent travel need and cannot wait for standard processing.
Accepted reasons include:
- Death of a family member abroad requiring urgent international travel
- Medical emergency abroad requiring urgent travel
- Confirmed work-related travel with documented proof
- Imminent confirmed travel where a standard passport cannot arrive in time
Emergency passports cannot be applied for online. You must appear in person at your nearest DHA office. Bank branch applications are not available for emergency passports.
How To Apply — Step by Step
Go to your nearest DHA live capture office in person, first thing in the morning, with all required documents and proof of your urgent travel need.
- Arrive at your nearest DHA office as early as possible — emergency applications are handled on a first-come basis with no guaranteed same-day outcome
- Inform the official at the counter that you require an emergency passport and state your urgent travel reason
- Submit your completed Form DHA-73 in black ink and block letters — no Tipp-Ex, no blank fields
- Submit Form DHA-529 (Determination of Citizenship) — completed at the office
- Submit proof of your urgent travel need (see document list below)
- Have your biometrics captured — photograph and fingerprints taken digitally at the office
- Pay the R600 application fee
- Request written confirmation that your application has been flagged as urgent
Important: Emergency passports are processed on a case-by-case basis. There is no guaranteed turnaround time. Do not make non-refundable travel bookings based on an expected emergency passport issue date.
Documents Required — Inside South Africa
- South African Smart ID card or green ID book
- Completed Form DHA-73 in black ink and block letters
- Completed Form DHA-529 (Determination of Citizenship) — completed at the DHA office
- Proof of urgent travel need — one or more of the following:
- Confirmed flight booking or itinerary
- Death certificate or funeral arrangements confirmation
- Medical referral letter from a registered doctor
- Letter from employer confirming urgent work-related travel requirement
- If replacing a lost or stolen passport: SAPS affidavit confirming loss or theft
Not sure what documents to take to Home Affairs? Click Here To Use our free checklist and walk in fully prepared.
Processing Time — Inside South Africa
There is no guaranteed processing time for emergency passports inside South Africa.
The DHA processes emergency applications on a case-by-case basis. In practice, emergency passports inside South Africa have been issued within 1 to 5 working days when the urgent travel need is well documented. This is not guaranteed.
If your travel is within 24 to 48 hours, present yourself at a DHA office immediately with all documents. The earlier you arrive and the stronger your proof of urgency, the better your position.
Outside South Africa — Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC)
What Is an Emergency Travel Certificate?
An Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) is a single-journey travel document issued by South African embassies, high commissions, and consulates to South Africans abroad who need to return to South Africa urgently and do not have a valid passport.
An ETC is not a passport. It is a single-page document valid for a single journey back to South Africa only. It cannot be used to travel to other countries except in transit on your way back to South Africa. Validity ranges from 1 month to 1 year depending on the mission.
Applicants for an ETC are also required to apply for a permanent passport at the same time.
Who Qualifies for an ETC
An ETC is issued only for genuine emergencies — death or serious illness of a family member — where you have no valid South African passport.
You are not eligible for an ETC if:
- You are aged 16 or older and have never been issued a South African ID document or Smart ID card — you must apply for an ID first and wait at least 3 months before an ETC can be issued
- You are under 16 without a 13-digit SA ID number — your birth must be registered with Home Affairs and an ID number allocated before an ETC can be issued
- You have a valid South African passport — apply for a standard passport renewal instead
How To Apply for an ETC Abroad — Step by Step
Contact your nearest South African embassy, high commission, or consulate and book an appointment for an emergency travel document.
- Contact the nearest South African mission by email or phone and explain your emergency
- Book an appointment — most missions require appointments for all civic services
- Complete Form DHA-73 in black ink and block letters
- Complete Form DHA-529 (Determination of Citizenship)
- Have your fingerprints taken on Form DHA-9 at the mission or at a local police station or notary public
- Submit your written motivation letter explaining the emergency, your South African address you are travelling to, and why you do not have a valid passport
- Submit proof of the emergency — death certificate or doctor’s letter
- Submit your flight itinerary
- Submit proof of South African citizenship — SA ID book, Smart ID card, birth certificate, or old passport
- Pay the applicable fee at the mission
Documents Required — ETC Abroad
- Completed Form DHA-73 in black ink and block letters
- Completed Form DHA-529 (Determination of Citizenship)
- Form DHA-9 — full set of fingerprints (taken at the mission, police station, or notary public)
- Written motivation letter stating the emergency, your SA address, and why you do not have a valid passport
- Proof of the emergency — death certificate or letter from a medical practitioner
- Confirmed flight itinerary
- Proof of South African citizenship — SA ID, birth certificate, or expired SA passport
- 4 identical colour passport photos (2″ x 2″, ICAO compliant, white background, mouth closed, no glasses)
- If married: notarised marriage certificate
- If divorced: divorce decree
- If dual citizen: proof of how and when foreign nationality was acquired — naturalisation certificate or foreign birth certificate (a foreign passport alone is not accepted)
- If dual citizen: Letter of Retention of South African Citizenship
Note: All forms must be completed in black ink and block letters. Do not use Tipp-Ex or correction fluid. Leave no fields blank — write N/A where not applicable.
ETC Processing Time Abroad
Processing times for ETCs vary by mission.
| Mission | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Berlin (Germany) | Within 5 working days |
| Most other missions | 10 to 15 working days |
| VFS Global centres (Australia, NZ, Dubai) | 5 weeks for standard passport |
ETCs are collected in person at the mission. Third-party collection is not permitted.
Maxi Passport — For Frequent Travellers
A Maxi passport is a 48-page South African passport designed for frequent international travellers.
It is the same document as a standard passport — valid for 10 years — but with additional visa pages. The application process and cost are identical to a standard passport. If you travel frequently and fill your passport pages quickly, request a Maxi passport at the time of application.
Official Contact Details
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| Toll-free hotline | 0800 60 11 90 |
| Head office | 012 406 2500 |
| hacc@dha.gov.za | |
| Appointment booking | services.dha.gov.za |
| eHomeAffairs portal | ehome.dha.gov.za |
| Anti-corruption hotline | 0800 701 701 |
This website is not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs. All contact details are sourced from www.dha.gov.za.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an emergency passport in South Africa? Go to your nearest DHA live capture office in person with proof of your urgent travel need — a confirmed flight booking, death certificate, medical referral, or employer letter. Emergency passports cannot be applied for online or at bank branches. Pay the standard R600 fee. Processing is case by case with no guaranteed turnaround.
How long does an emergency passport take inside South Africa? There is no guaranteed processing time. In practice, 1 to 5 working days when the urgent travel need is well documented. Arrive at the DHA office as early as possible on the day and bring strong proof of urgency.
What is an Emergency Travel Certificate? An ETC is a single-journey travel document issued by South African missions abroad to citizens without a valid passport who need to return to South Africa urgently. It is valid for a single trip back to South Africa only and cannot be used for travel to other countries except in transit. Validity ranges from 1 month to 1 year.
Can I get an emergency passport at a bank branch? No. Emergency passport applications must be made in person at a DHA live capture office. Bank branches are not authorised to process emergency applications.
I am abroad and my passport was lost or stolen. What do I do? Report the loss or theft to the local police first. Then contact your nearest South African embassy, high commission, or consulate to apply for an Emergency Travel Certificate to return to South Africa. Bring a police report confirming the loss or theft, proof of citizenship, and completed DHA forms. → Lost or Stolen SA Passport — What To Do
Is an Emergency Travel Certificate the same as a passport? No. An ETC is a single-journey document for returning to South Africa only. It is not valid for travel to other countries except in transit. Once back in South Africa, you must apply for a full passport at any DHA live capture office.
How much does an emergency passport cost inside South Africa? R600 — the same as a standard passport. The emergency designation affects processing priority only, not the fee.
I have never had a South African ID and I am abroad without a passport. Can I get an ETC? No. Citizens aged 16 and older who have never been issued a South African ID are not eligible for an ETC until they have applied for an ID and waited at least 3 months. Contact the nearest South African mission for guidance on your specific situation.
Can someone else collect my ETC or emergency passport on my behalf? No. Third-party collection of passports and travel documents is strictly prohibited as per DHA Circular No. 1 of 2022. You must collect in person.
My employer requires me to travel urgently for work. Does this qualify for an emergency passport? Yes, provided you have documented proof — a formal letter from your employer on company letterhead confirming the travel requirement, the destination, and the dates. The DHA assesses each application on its merits. A letter alone without a confirmed flight itinerary is a weaker application.
Related Guides
- SA Passport — Complete Hub
- SA Passport Taking Too Long — Escalation Steps
- SA Passport Status Check — Full Guide
- Lost or Stolen SA Passport — What To Do
- SA Passport Application Rejected — What To Do