A MEMBER OF THE U.K.PASSPORTS™ GROUP

How to renew your British Passport in South Africa – 2025 Guide

This article will discuss the British Passport renewal process in South Africa.

Are you one of the many British citizens living in South Africa?

UK expats make up a significant proportion of South Africa’s foreign residents; there are more British expats living in South Africa than in most other areas of the world. U.K.ABROAD exists to make the UK passport renewal process as easy as possible for British citizens living in South Africa.

Apply Online Now

 

British passport renewal South Africa

Renew a British Passport in South Africa

If you are a British expat in South Africa, the time will eventually come when you’ll need to renew your British passport. So, how does the process work?

Unfortunately, the process to renew a UK passport in South Africa is not always straightforward, and it can be difficult to find useful information online. In addition to how stress-inducing this situation can be, your passport renewal application process could be delayed or rejected if you don’t complete the forms accurately or provide sufficient supporting documentation.

It is also important to note that the passport office doesn’t grant any refunds if your British Passport renewal application has been rejected for some reason and you will end up paying another application fee when you reapply.

Here at U.K.ABROAD, we fully understand how frustrating this can be, which is why we can handle every aspect of your British passport renewal in South Africa and have your new passport sent to you as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

As an established British Passport specialist since 2008, we’ve helped countless British citizens in South Africa with their passport applications, renewals and replacements. Through this process, there are a few key questions that are repeatedly asked. In this article, we’ll answer them in a simple, straightforward way.

Can I renew my British passport in South Africa?

Yes! You absolutely can. U.K.ABROAD will guide you through the entire UK passport renewal process and we will ensure that your passport renewal application is completed accurately so that you don’t waste time or money. To apply online from South Africa, visit this page.

As mentioned above, HM Passport Office may reject your application entirely, even if there is only one small error. When this happens, you lose both time and money, in addition to the frustration of having to start the process all over again. This can be avoided by having U.K.ABROAD handle the process for you.

We will thoroughly check your application forms to ensure that they are 100% compliant. We will also make sure that your passport photos comply with the British passport office’s standards.

We use our registered and reliable courier to send in your old passport and avoid any unnecessary delays or loss during your renewal process.

All you need to do is complete our easy, online application form which can be found here.

British passport renewal South Africa

Can I renew my British passport online from South Africa?

Yes, the entire process can now only be done online. Unlike a few years ago when you could apply in person, you no longer have this option. You can now only do your British Passport renewal online.

The process to renew a British Passport in South Africa is as follows:

  1. Fill in our easy online application form.
  2. Complete your secure online payment via debit or credit card. Our payments are powered by Stripe – the world’s most secure payment gateway.
  3. Our experts will check your forms & documents and finalise the application on your behalf.
  4. We arrange safe & fast shipment of documents to the relevant government office in the UK.
  5. Your new, blue passport is delivered directly to your doorstep in South Africa.

When you use the services of U.K.ABROAD, a dedicated team member will check your documents before they are submitted to the passport office.

We specialise in UK passport renewals, applications and replacements. We therefore have a deep understanding of what is required in terms of documents to submit and the finer details involved.

Once your application has been submitted, we will keep you updated every step of the way.

Apply Online Now

 

When do I need to renew my British Passport from South Africa?

In general, you should renew your passport if it has less than six months’ validity after the return date of your overseas trip;  your passport often needs to be valid for at least six months longer than your stay in a foreign country, to be allowed entry.

Get in touch with us if you have any questions, one of our expert consultants would be happy to assist you.

How long does it take to renew a UK passport in South Africa?

It generally takes 3 to 4 weeks to process the renewal upon receipt of the application. Our reliable courier service makes receiving your new British passport quick and stress-free. Your new passport will be delivered straight to your door within a few weeks.

Note that HM Passport Office experiences delays due to unprecedented demand from time to time. It is important not to make any travel arrangements until you have received your new UK passport. 

Do I need to send in my old British passport when renewing?

Yes, you must send in your old/current passport when you apply for a new one. Once your UK passport renewal has been completed, the old passport will be sent back to you.

How much does it cost to renew my British passport in South Africa?

Our prices are all inclusive of government fees, shipping fees, service fees, new passport delivered to the applicant – no additional payments will be required.

*GBP – British Pound Sterling

I am just writing to inform you that my new passport arrived on Monday, which is fantastic, taking only 4½ weeks since my initial application was submitted to U.K.ABROAD. I must say how impressed I am with the whole British Passport renewal process and would highly recommend your service to other Brits living abroad.

Thank you once again for all your assistance.

-Richard Atkins, South Africa (via Google reviews. Click here to read more third-party verified reviews)

What supporting documents do I need for a UK passport renewal?

The supporting documents required for a passport renewal often vary on a case-by-case basis. Our British Passport consultants are happy to assist you in this regard when completing your British Passport renewal online.

For a standard British passport renewal from South Africa, you will need the following:

  • Completed online application form
  • Renewal fee
  • Your current/expired British Passport (if available)
  • A Digital photograph
  • Any other non-British passport relating to the applicant (if applicable)

Have additional questions about renewing your British Passport in South Africa? Send us a message and we would be happy to help you!

Contact Us

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 2 - Contact Details

Your Name*
Your Email Address*
I am applying from:*

Apply for a British passport from South Africa

Are you looking to apply for a British Passport from South Africa for the first time? We can help. Click here for more information about first-time British Passport applications.

Can I renew my British passport in South Africa?

Yes! You absolutely can renew your British passport in South Africa. U.K.ABROAD will guide you through the entire process and we will ensure that your passport renewal application is completed accurately so that you don’t waste time or money.

How long does it take to renew a UK passport in South Africa?

It takes 3 to 4 weeks to process the renewal upon receipt of the application. Our reliable courier service makes receiving your new British passport quick and stress-free. Your new passport will be delivered straight to your door within a few weeks. Please note that HM Passport Office does experience delays in processing times based on demand.

Topic: British passport renewal South Africa, renewing a British passport in South Africa

About the author

Tracey Roberts is the Senior Advisor – UK Passport Services at U.K.ABROAD, with over a decade of experience specialising in travel documentation and support for British citizens living overseas. Her deep knowledge of passport renewals, replacements, and first-time applications helps expats confidently navigate the complexities of UK passport services.

Do you need to renew
or apply for your
UK Passport?


Our mission is to make the UK Passport renewal or application process simple, safe & fast. Saving you time & money along the way.

Apply Online Now

Patrick Rissettio
5h ago
My contact person was very friendly and guided me through the application step by step.At no point was there any difficulties even when the photo was not accepted. The photo is of a satisfied customer.
James Fullarton
7h ago
A speedy, efficient, and courteous service.
Connor McBirnie
a day ago
Super easy and painless experience. The process is a bit complicated but they walked me through every step and made it easily understandable. Highly recommended.
Alistair Crannis
a day ago
Extremely efficient and it was great to have a person at the other end advising of all the steps.
Hazel Trapnell
a day ago
Each stage of applying for a renewal of my UK passport was dealt with efficiently by the UK Passport Department, even to the delivery of the new passport by DHL and the return of the out of date previous passport also by DHL. Every question I asked was also dealt with quickly and efficiently.
John Wheeler
a day ago
Jo Morris
2 days ago
Brilliant service from start to finish. As an expat overseas needing to renew my UK passport I thought it was going to be a challenge but quite the opposite. I was assigned Jan to my application who was very responsive to questions and needs and made the whole process seamless
Trisha Lal-Klima
4 days ago
Jennifer Eklund
4 days ago
I had a great experience with UK Abroad. Brittany was my contact person and she was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. She answered all my questions almost immediately and really helped me through the entire process of attaining my British passport. I’m so grateful and highly recommend UK Abroad.
K Stone
7 days ago
Excellent experience with getting my UK passport and that of my daughter renewed with consultant Mr Francois. Very quick responses, and smooth process. I especially appreciated the extra care to advise me about who can certify the photo likeness (not so easy finding a Brit where we are) and other case specific issues.
anna thomas
7 days ago
Susan Wilayto
8 days ago
Brittany was extremely helpful with the process of renewing my passport ! The experience went very smoothly and my new passport arrived in a timely manner from the UK.
TracyB
8 days ago
Thank you Hanel and the broader UK Passport Team for everything! What a wonderful experience it was to have ny British Passport renewed. The efficiency of Service and constant, effective communications was exceptional. Thank you again!
Vindya Donahue
8 days ago
Shaun Wedon at U.K. Passports was extremely efficient, polite, and helpful in renewing my British passport. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy and straightforward the process was—it only took three simple steps. I applied for my passport renewal from the US. My new passport arrived in less than three weeks from the day I started the process with U.K. Passport. I highly recommend them. The service is secure, and they erase your data after processing. It was definitely worth the price and saved me a lot of stress.
Peter Jancke
9 days ago
service received was exceptionally fast and efficient, recommend
Darienne Pearce
9 days ago
Receiving instructions one step at a time is very helpful...avoids confusion or missed actions Instructions were very explicit and thoroughly explained with some examples...very helpful Support person (Shaun) very available and helpful with extra questions The whole process was concise, timely and user friendly
Jamalu Gillani
10 days ago
Excellent service. Well beyond my expectations. Thank you.
Brian “Essex to Ontario” Morton
10 days ago
Excellent help provided to guide me through renewal of my UK Passport !
Joshua Awoniyi
11 days ago
I don't usually write reviews but I am more than happy to write one about my exprience with UKabroad. I wanted to renew my British passport from Nigeria and was so worried as to how to go about it. Had visions of having to travel to the UK to have it renewed; until I came across UKabroad. Mr consultant was Jan. She was fantastic. All our correspondence was via email and I feel as though I have known her for years. She kept everything simple and concise. From my first contact to receiving my renewed passport took 4 weeks. Jan kept me updated all the way. I cannot commend UKabroad enough they have been fantastic. Will recommend them anyday anytime. And as for Jan, she's a superstar. God bless you guys. Bravo.
James Wright
12 days ago
Frances Reid
14 days ago
I was extremely pleased with the level of service - clear explanations, timely follow-through, and a reasonable cost for peace of mind.
Elaine Eubanks
14 days ago
The process which I was dreading was so easy and efficient I was so surprised. Glenda my assistant kept me informed each step of the way and I was never left wondering if I had done everything correctly. I never was worried that my passports old or new would be lost and everything was completed efficiently and just when I was told that they would. I cannot recommend this enough for peace of mind.
Laot Christine
15 days ago
Very good experience with UK.ABROAD. Very professional but friendly. I was a bit stressed out with what to do, preparing everything and sending off my passport but Glenda and Amanda helped through it all from beginning to end. Thank you so much and I ll be in touch in 10 years. 🤗
va l
15 days ago
I used this service to renew my British Passport, as things had changed since my last renewal, and I was finding the whole procedure confusing. I was about to just give up. Fortunately at that time I found this site and Brittany. Brittany was very helpful and very patient. I am most grateful for her help. Thank you.
Perry Philp
16 days ago
Once filing began the process was explained well, Alway kept up to date on the status of the application.
wendy belli
16 days ago
I am more than satisfied with the service provided by U.K. ABROAD. I was guided every step of the way through the passport application procedure. Christa was efficient, reactive and explained everything clearly. Consequently my application was filed quickly and approved just one day after having been attributed to an examiner at the British Passport office. The pick-up and delivery by DHL was also well organized. UK Abroad helped me save time and avoid stress.
Brett Stewardson
17 days ago
So professional and completely hassle free. Thank you Shaun!
Christine Weatherston
17 days ago
My consultant was Renate; they stepped me through every step of the process. My passport was very old expired back in 1996, so they had to treat it like a new passport application from start to finish when my passport arrived it took 6 weeks. I would recommend UK Aboard very professional and my consultant Renate.
Live Dharma
17 days ago
I recently applied for the renewal of my UK passport online. The whole process was smooth and easy. I took my photo by using my Samsung phone. With the help from the staff member of "myukpassport.com" Mr Hanel, everything is so transparent and was informed step by step. I got my new passport within a month.
Cecille Newsome-Smith
17 days ago
The OnLine form was much easier, than anticipated,to complete. From submission to e.mails received with guidance and directions ------- prompt and detailed.I did feel supported throughout the whole process up to collection of my documents, for the UK Passport Office,and the efficient delivery service returning them.
Alan Jeary
17 days ago
Every communication was produced quickly and was very precise about the steps that needed to happen next. There was a complete record of 'what happens next'. On top of this efficiency the person that I communicated with (Juan-Pierre) was helpful and had enormous empathy. The whole operation was good, quick and it was a pleasure to work with them.
Pam Thomas
18 days ago
All the way through the process Glenda was supporting me and advising me constantly. Her help made the application far easier.
Peter Cole
18 days ago
The service offered by U.K. Abroad is bench mark. They take all of the uncertainty and stress out of a passport renewal by carefully preparing you and guiding you through each step of the process. Their cost includes the passport renewal fee, and all courier charges for DHL to ship your application pack to the UK, and your new passport, with supplied documents, back to you. They organize everything! Even a home collection of your documents to send to the UK. Mostly the process is on line, including uploading a photo that U.K. Abroad attach to your application, that they will submit for you. The pack you send will be your current/old passport with any other documents, such as a scan of another country passport if you have one. Considering the hassel it use to be to renew a passport, this is a dream come true. You also get your very own consultant to guide you through the process and answer questions. Ask for Miguel!! He was aswesome!!
Annette Ludick
18 days ago
I have recently used UK Passports to renew my British Passport and I was amazed by the first class service that I received from Francois, who assisted me every step of the way. Nothing was too much trouble for him and I received responses to my emails within a couple of hours. I would definitely use their services again and will be recommending them to my family and friends.
Random Videos
18 days ago
Fantastic service from start to finish! I could not be more impressed and I definitely recommend this service!
Ken Peake
20 days ago
Really excellent service, made my application for a renewed passport effortless.
Anne Cox
20 days ago
I am so pleased I contacted UK.ABROAD for my UK passport renewal. The whole process took exactly two weeks from start to finish. I am an older person and do not believe I could have navigated this on my own. Bravo Juan-Pierre for your assistance!
Steve Jones
20 days ago
Impressive - and speedy - service! Clear communications, easy-to-follow instructions. Everything well thought-out. After the third international courier sending, the price even began to seem reasonable. 🙂
Mary Woodhill
21 days ago
I highly recommend U.K. Abroad for renewal of a British Passport from abroad - in this case South Africa. The service was highly efficient and I was guided through every step of the application. Yes - I would definitely use their services again.
Viktor Dub
22 days ago
Colin Jackson
23 days ago
A professional and personal service - many thanks indeed, particularly to Hanel who seamlessly dealt with my passport application.
Anna Mein
23 days ago
William Brett
23 days ago
Excellent service from my appointed representative, Juan. He guided me through what was sometimes a difficult process. My application was complex as I was obtaining a passport after a sixty year lapse. The communication via e-mails was prompt and considering the time element from start to finish, reasonable with the passport issued within 10 weeks. Highly recommend this agency.
Caroline Butch
23 days ago
This service is by far the most amazing thing i ever found on the internet and if you are lucky enough to have Brittany assist you then count yourself lucky she was the best help ever and kind and just a pleasure . In less than three weeks i had my new passport in my hand and three days later my documents and old passport back. I will absolutely recommend this service Brittany made it smooth seamless process and advised me the whole way.. i am eternally grateful to Brittany and will definitely use this service again .
Costa Azul
23 days ago
I had problems in getting a new passport because the previous I had was from the Isle of Man who refused to renew my passport as they changed their rules, and you have to live on the island to have a passport. It took time to go through the process to switch to a British passport despite the IOM is a British island but is independent. My contact was a lady named Brittany, and she was really good and knowledgeable in helping me to eventually get my British passport. My thanks to her and U.K. ABROAD.
John Bladon
23 days ago
I required an updated UK Passport as mine was about to expire. The process of updating it couldn't have been easier. UK Passports clearly spelled out the steps required & arranged pickup & delivery of the paperwork. Any questions I directed to them were answered quickly & concisely. I would highly recommend UK Passports.
Pat Murrish
23 days ago
Sushila Issar
24 days ago
Excellent service.
Pat Beams
24 days ago
Thank you Shaun at U.K. Passports. The service I received for renewing my UK passport whilst living in Canada, was impeccable and your prompt reaction to all my queries was top Class.
Next Reviews
Powered by Trust.Reviews

ABOUT U.K.ABROAD

U.K.ABROAD is the biggest worldwide leading private British Passport Service Provider for British citizens living abroad.

Operating independently since 2008, U.K.ABROAD specialises in easy, online British Passport renewals, replacements and applications from abroad.

With over 1000 verified five star reviews, their service excellence speaks for itself.

Their team of British Passport Consultants are exceedingly knowledgeable regarding all HM Passport Office’s requirements, constantly keeping updated about their current ever-changing rules and regulations.

ukabroad group photo