We welcome South African citizens living in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Important Announcements concerning South Africans.
Click here for official COVID-19 information
You can also check the drop down tab "Updates on travel"
At which mission should I lodge my Application?
If you are resident in the Cantons of Genève (Geneva), Valais (Wallis), Vaud (Waadt) and Fribourg (Freiburg), you must contact the South African Mission in Genève/Geneva; consulargeneva@dirco.gov.za
All residents in other Cantons of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, must apply at the South African Embassy in Bern; bern.consular@dirco.gov.za
Which Consular Services does the Embassy provide to South Africans living in Switzerland?
Please consult the website of the Department of International Relations & Cooperation – www.dirco.gov.za
2019 Regulations - Entering or Leaving the Republic of South Africa with children
Please Note:
2019 November: Foreign Children, from Visa Exempt Countries, entering or leaving the Republic of South Africa are no longer required to present a Birth Certificate, parental consent letter or other supporting documentation when traveling with one parent or legal guardian OR someone other than a parent or legal guardian. This waiver is granted on condition that ALL other requirements for entry and departure from the Republic of South Africa are complied with.
Self -Submission
Please note that all applications are to be submitted in person by the applicant at the Embassy. We no longer send or receive applications by Post, application forms have to be filled inside the Embassy. The Embassy have reserved Fridays for certification of documents, please note that the Embassy closes at 14:00 on Fridays.
Visits are by appointment only
Entering South Africa for dual citizens
Please note that in terms of the South African Citizenship Amendment Act of 2004 it is now an offence for a major South African citizen to enter the RSA or depart making use of the passport of another country. Essentially, the Amendment Act provides that a South African citizen, who has dual nationality, can freely use his or her foreign passport outside South Africa. However, they must use their South African passport to enter or to depart from South Africa. For further information please contact the Consulate.
In terms of Immigration Regulation 6 (2) (e), a passport must have at least one unused page when presenting it for endorsements. It is advisable to always have an adequate number of unused passport pages available for visa and/or other endorsements.
Retention of Citizenship
The South African Citizenship Act provides for retention of South African citizenship PRIOR to the acquisition of a foreign citizenship. A condition of attaining dual citizenship for all South African citizens aged 18 years or older is that they must apply and be granted permission to retain their South African citizenship prior to the acquisition of a foreign citizenship.
If a South African citizen does not obtain this prior permission they will automatically lose their South African citizenship on voluntary acquisition of a foreign citizenship.
South African citizens under the age of 18 years are exempt and do not require to apply for dual citizenship, as long as they acquire the foreign citizenship before their 18th birthday. They automatically retain their South African citizenship for life unless, once they have reached the age of 18 years and they then wish to acquire a further foreign citizenship, they will then have to apply for prior permission to retain their South African citizenship. Failing to do so, they will automatically lose their South African citizenship.
Temporary passports
Please note that as from the 01st of September 2014 we no longer issue Temporary passports.
New smart ID card
For the latest Information on the new ID card, please click here
Some helpful websites:
www.dha.gov.za (South African Home Affairs)
www.saps.gov.za (South African Police Services)
www.sars.gov.za (South African Revenue and Customs Services)
www.gepf.co.za (Government Employees Pension fund)
www.transport.gov.za (Department of Traffic)
