BIG FEE INCREASE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN PASSPORTS

If you’re planning on getting a new passport or renewing your old passport anytime soon, now is a great idea. That’s if you want to save money on your application fees.

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi published the application fee increase in the Government Gazette on Thursday.

Application fees for standard South African passports will increase by 50% from 1 November. This means that if you want to qualify for the lower fees, you have until 31 October to do so.

A standard 32-page passport for adults and children will increase to R600 from R400. This is the first passport application fee increase since 2011.

For those travelling more than the average person, fees for a maxi passport will increase by a lot. The 48-page passport will now cost R1,200 – double the price of a standard passport.

Previously, a maxi passport carried a 50% premium.

Also noted in the Gazette is that on 1 November, those who receive official passports will start to be charged. Getting such an official passport is currently free. It will now carry an application fee at the same price as that of a standard tourist passport.

Image credit: Daily Maverick