For Zimbabwean citizens living and working in South Africa, having a passport always at hand is extremely important. In addition to proving your national identity, a passport can help you easily enter or leave the country and safely transfer money from the bank to your family. If you plan to get a Zim passport for the first time or replace it for some reason, you can find the answer in this guide. Below, we will show you the required documents for a Zimbabwe passport application and the specified procedures for the application.
Required documents for Zimbabwe passport application
Please note that each original document should be submitted with an accompanying photocopy. Photocopies need not be certified. The following items are required:
- Long Birth certificate
- National identity – Applicants over 16 must provide an ID, which can be made of paper, metal, or plastic. The application process cannot be conducted without an ID. If your ID has expired or been lost, you need to get a new ID in Zimbabwe, as it is currently impossible to complete the application within South Africa.
- Marriage certificate – Remember to take your marriage certificate if you are married.
- Divorce order – If you got divorced after registering your marriage, you’ll need a divorce order from a competent court to show the union’s dissolution.
- Two identical color photos strictly on a white background (size 3.5 x 4.5cm) are required.
- Citizenship certified where applicable (those who were previously Alien Citizens).
- Expired/Current passport, if you are renewing or replacing your passport.
- Children under 18 years: Besides the above requirements, the father, mother, or legal guardian must provide an ID or a valid passport. They must sign Section 5 of the passport application form. For unregistered children, a child health card/clinic card must be provided, and its photocopies should be with the child’s name and the names of the parents.
- Guardianship Certificate – If a child has a legal guardian, a Guardianship Certificate should be provided. You can get it from the Courts of Law.
- Death Certificate – If both parents are deceased, death certificates should be presented.
Where to apply for a Zim passport in SA
Zimbabwean citizens living in South Africa who must apply for a new passport can do so at the Zimbabwean consulate. Two consulates fit your options: one in Cape Town and the other in Johannesburg. Make sure to choose the one closest to your current location.
How to book an appointment at the Consulate office?
The Zimbabwean consulate is a diplomatic office that helps Zimbabwean citizens handle all kinds of consular and diplomatic affairs. Therefore, when you decide to apply for a Zim passport, you should first make an appointment at the Consulate office online. Here you can follow the step-by-step guide below.
1. Visit the booking website
2. Create a new user account by adding your e-mail address and creating the passwords.
3. Enter your full name and phone number, and click “create”.
4. Check your e-mail and click on the confirmation link. Then, you will return to the booking site, which means your account has been created.
5. Login with your e-mail address and enter the password.
6. Choose a date and specific time you want to visit the Consulate.
7. Provide all of the personal information required.
8. Confirm your appointment, then you will receive the confirmation.
9. Prepare the documents required for passport application.
10. Go to the Consulate office as appointed.
How to apply for a Zim passport in South Africa?
After booking the appointment, you can start the Zimbabwe passport application process. The following descriptions are step-by-step for your reference.
1. Visit the Zimbabwean Consulate’s official website at https://www.zimbabweconsulate.co.za/
2. Have a thorough review of all the requirements in the ’SERVICES’ column.
3. Download the passport application form and complete it.
4. Sort out all the documents required for the passport application.
5. Submit all the required documents with your application form to the passport section of the Consulate office.
6. Pay the cost of the application, usually R300.00.
7. Get your receipt and keep it.
8. Wait for your passport processing. It typically takes around 5-7 working days.
9. Go to the Consulate to collect your passport.
Can I apply for a Zimbabwe e-passport online?
Currently, it is impossible to apply for an e-passport online. However, you can obtain the application forms from the Zimbabwean Consulate’s official website.
To apply for a new Zimbabwean passport from South Africa, you need to schedule an appointment with the Zimbabwean Consulate located in either Cape Town or Johannesburg. Then, follow the steps mentioned above.
Although successful applicants have been issued the new e-passport since the beginning of April, the Zimbabwe Consulate in South Africa has reiterated that you need to be physically present to collect it.
How much does a Zim passport cost?
Many people are curious about the cost of a Zim passport. The following chart provides the details based on the new regulations of January 1, 2024.
| Passport Types | Cost |
| Ordinary Passport | USD 200.00 |
| Emergency Passport | USD 300.00 |
Moreover, the Civil Registry Department has extended its office hours for processing and collection of passports. They are now open from 7:00-19:00 (local time) Monday-Friday and 8:00-15:00 (local time) on Saturdays until further notice.
Zimbabwe passport visa-free countries
As of April 2024, millions of Zimbabwean passport holders can now travel to 76 countries without a visa, or they can obtain an eVisa/visa upon arrival.
There are 35 visa-free countries with different days of allowed stay. These countries include Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, South Africa, and so on. Another 41 countries can offer e/visa or visa upon arrival for Zimbabwean citizens.
| Country | Allowed stay |
| Angola | 30 days |
| Bahamas | 3 months |
| Barbados | 6 months |
| Belize | 30 days |
| Benin | 90 days |
| Botswana | 90 days |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 90 days |
| Cook Islands | 31 days |
| Dominica | 21 days |
| Ecuador | 90 days |
| Fiji | 4 months |
| Gambia | 30 days |
| Ghana | 60 days |
| Haiti | 3 months |
| Kenya | 3 months |
| Lesotho | 90 days |
| Malawi | 90 days |
| Malaysia | 30 days |
| Mauritius | 90 days |
| Micronesia | 30 days |
| Montserrat | 6 months |
| Mozambique | 3 months |
| Namibia | 3 months |
| Philippines | 30 days |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 3 months |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 3 months |
| Singapore | 30 days |
| South Africa | 90 days |
| Eswatini | 30 days |
| Tanzania | 3 months |
| Trinidad and Tobago | |
| Uganda | 3 months |
| Vanuatu | 30 days |
| Zambia | 90 days |
| British Virgin Islands | 30 days |
FAQ
1. What to do if my Zim passport is stolen in SA?
Unfortunately, if your Zimbabwean passport is stolen in South Africa, you should first visit the local police station to report your lost passport. Then you will receive a case number and an affidavit, which are required for submitting your passport application to Home Affairs. Other required documents are the same as those for the first-time application. You can follow the guides on ‘How to apply for a Zim passport in South Africa’ mentioned previously. Remember to book an appointment with the Consulate before conducting the application.
2. How many Zimbabwean embassy are there in South Africa?
Currently, Zimbabwe maintains three diplomatic representative offices in South Africa: Pretoria, Cape Town, and Johannesburg. The addresses are shown below for your information.
Zimbabwe Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa
- 798 Merton Ave, Eastwood, Pretoria, 0083, South Africa
- Phone: +27 12 342 5125
- Working hours: Close now (Open in 3 hours 43 minutes)
Zimbabwe Consulate General in Cape Town, South Africa
- 55 Kuyper St, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
- Phone: +27 71 756 0811
- Working hours: Close now (Open in 3 hours 43 minutes)
Zimbabwe Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa
- 13A Boeing W Rd, Bedfordview, Johannesburg, 2007, South Africa
- Phone: +27 11 615 5879
- Working hours: Close now (Open in 3 hours 43 minutes)
3. Can a Zimbabwean have dual citizenship in South Africa?
South Africa does allow Zimbabweans to have dual citizenship if they comply with specific procedures outlined by the Department of Home Affairs. Applicants over 18 must first apply to retain their South African nationality before seeking dual citizenship.
It is worth mentioning that if you are a South African citizen and want to acquire citizenship of another country, you need to obtain permission first. Not getting permission may lead to the automatic loss of your South African citizenship upon acquiring foreign citizenship. And it is a lengthy and complicated process for regaining South African citizenship once you lose it.
🔎Read Also: How to Apply for Citizenship in South Africa
Conclusion
After learning all the information about the Zim passport application in South Africa, you will find that it is not as difficult as you might imagine. The process is the same when applying for, renewing, or replacing a passport. Book the appointment, take the required documents with a completed application form to the Consulate, submit them, and pay the application fee of USD 200.00 or USD 300.00, depending on your demands. Then, you can collect your passport at the Consulate after several days.
Erin Lo