2016-Sep 02: Appointments needed at Pretoria Visa Application Centre

Visa Pak 275 - Information about changes made when submitting applications at the Pretoria Visa Application Centre.

Visa Paks

02 September 2016

Appointments needed at Pretoria Visa Application Centre

From Monday 12 September 2016, applicants will need an appointment to submit their visa applications, and passports for Immigration ONLINE applications, at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Pretoria.

Benefits of introducing an appointment system include:

  • helping to manage and streamline the flow of applications through the VAC
  • minimising wait-time for applicants, as they have an appointment before turning up to the VAC to submit their application.

The process for making an appointment through VFS’ secure website is simple and only takes a few minutes. Applicants are able to select their appointment time from available dates and times.

A transition period will be in place for the first three weeks, and a process to accommodate urgent cases will be in place on an ongoing basis.

The Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Pretoria office will also work with VFS to manage the submission of visa applications from travel agents and licensed immigration advisers. For example, agreeing a regular time to drop off applications.

INZ’s current contract provides for an appointment system. The Commercial Relationships Team will review contractual service standards to ensure these reflect the appointment system, and will be in contact with any updates.

The Commercial Relationships Team and INZ Pretoria will monitor the appointment system through regular reporting of agreed service standards, and will review how it is working in early 2017. At this point the Commercial Relationships Team may consider if it is desirable to implement an appointment system in other locations.

Full information on making an appointment is available on the VFS website:
http://www.vfsglobal.com/newzealand/southafrica/schedule_an_appointment.html