
VFS Global rolls out South Africa passport renewal services in Dubai
Ms. Monaz Billimoria, Regional Head – UAE, VFS Global said, 'We are excited to be offering passport renewal services for South African nationals living in the UAE. We thank the Department of Home Affairs for their steadfast faith in our services over the last 15 years that we have worked with them across the globe. We are confident that applicants will enjoy an enhanced customer experience when they visit us at the world's largest centre here in Dubai.'
To apply for consular passport services, begin by visiting https://services.vfsglobal.com/are/en/zap , selecting 'Apply for Consular services ? Passport,' and booking an appointment slot. Next, prepare all required documents according to the checklist provided online. On the scheduled date and time, visit the VFS Global centre to submit documents and complete biometric enrollment. The applicable fees must be paid at the centre during the appointment. After submission, you can track the progress of your application online using the application reference number. Please note that passports are processed in South Africa and returned to the VFS Global office in Dubai.
Applicants are urged to apply at least 12?months before their current passport expires and are advised against making firm travel plans until the new passport is in hand. The Department of Home Affairs advises a minimum of 8-to-10-week processing from the date the of submitting the application at the VFS Global centre.
Applicants can also choose from a range of optional services for enhanced convenience, including Premium Lounge services for end-to-end guidance in a plush ambience, professional form filling assistance, Photocopy and printing services, SMS/email status alerts throughout the process, and Prime Time for document submission outside of business hours. These services are completely optional and come at an extra charge. Choosing these services has no bearing on the timeline or outcome of the applications.
Currently, VFS Global offers passport renewal services on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs through a network of eight centres in four countries and offers South Africa visa services through a network of 47 Visa Application Centres in 19 countries.

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Post Views: 12 South African nationals residing in the UAE can now visit the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Wafi City, Dubai, to renew their passports. VFS Global is the sole outsourced partner for the South Africa Department of Home Affairs in the UAE. Applicants no longer need to visit the Consulate General in Dubai to submit their passport renewal requests. They can now submit their applications at the VFS Global centre in Dubai or at the Embassy of South Africa in Abu Dhabi. Monaz Billimoria, Regional Head – UAE, VFS Global said, 'We are excited to be offering passport renewal services for South African nationals living in the UAE. We thank the Department of Home Affairs for their steadfast faith in our services over the last 15 years that we have worked with them across the globe. We are confident that applicants will enjoy an enhanced customer experience when they visit us at the world's largest centre here in Dubai.' To apply for consular passport services, begin by visiting , selecting 'Apply for Consular services → Passport,' and booking an appointment slot. Next, prepare all required documents according to the checklist provided online. On the scheduled date and time, visit the VFS Global centre to submit documents and complete biometric enrollment. The applicable fees must be paid at the centre during the appointment. After submission, you can track the progress of your application online using the application reference number. Please note that passports are processed in South Africa and returned to the VFS Global office in Dubai. Applicants are urged to apply at least 12 months before their current passport expires and are advised against making firm travel plans until the new passport is in hand. The Department of Home Affairs advises a minimum of 8-to-10-week processing from the date the of submitting the application at the VFS Global centre. Applicants can also choose from a range of optional services for enhanced convenience, including Premium Lounge services for end-to-end guidance in a plush ambience, professional form filling assistance, Photocopy and printing services, SMS/email status alerts throughout the process, and Prime Time for document submission outside of business hours. These services are completely optional and come at an extra charge. Choosing these services has no bearing on the timeline or outcome of the applications. Currently, VFS Global offers passport renewal services on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs through a network of eight centres in four countries and offers South Africa visa services through a network of 47 Visa Application Centres in 19 countries.


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I did a deal in February for an off-plan project. Sometimes, the developers take time to pay us. So, some of my commission in July would have been from a deal that was done a few months ago. On average, I earn about Dh70,000 to Dh8000 a month. But it depends on the deal that you're making. We do not receive a basic salary, so what you put in is what you get out. You need to hustle hard to make money. This industry is all about trust, building relationships and networking. In this industry, referrals are important for your business. Do you manage to save and have considerable savings? I do. When I was doing leasing, it was quite difficult to save because my salary then was significantly smaller. With sales now, we're in a much better position where I'm able to provide or have a cushioning. I'm saving now and looking at investments of my own, which will probably be real estate as well. I have around Dh250,000 worth of savings now. That is a significant number from somebody who was a housewife two years ago. What asset classes do you invest in? We've only been investing in real estate. We own the three-bedroom apartment that we live in, which has appreciated well since we bought it. It was worth Dh2.5 million when we bought it last year and took out a mortgage to pay for it. It's currently worth Dh3.6 million. We also own a land plot in South Africa. Plots there are rare and valuable, so those perform well over a long period of time. We plan to eventually build on it, rent it out or sell it to invest and diversify our portfolio. It's currently rented out as a storage unit. My next investment will also be in Abu Dhabi real estate: a smaller property with a low entry point in one of the up-and-coming areas. Do you have any debt? Nothing except the mortgage, which my husband has been paying off. People say some debt can be healthy, but I haven't reached that stage yet. Growing up, were you taught how to handle your finances? Yes. My parents would tell me to work hard to build a good future for my kids and save every month, while still trying to maintain a healthy balance. That was something my dad always tried to instil in me. My father also has a strong real estate investment portfolio, so he's been able to guide me. What are your major monthly expenses? The mortgage mainly. Personally, my main expenses are on my daughter, pets, a nanny, gas and utilities. I pay municipal tax on our property in South Africa. I also pay service charges for our home here. How do you budget your salary every month? It depends on the money I earn that month. I do not live above my means. I budget by trying to set aside a certain amount for savings every month, just so I have that financial cushion. I just save what I can, at least more than half my income every month. Have you started saving for retirement? I haven't started saving for retirement, but I've started saving. I do not plan to retire anytime soon. My goal right now is to focus on investments in real estate that can provide me with a passive income stream when I retire. A certain amount of interest would come in and I wouldn't have to stress. That's something my parents have done for themselves. I see the way they live and that's something I want for myself. Watch: Why expat salary packages are not what they used to be Do you have an emergency fund? Yes, my savings. I'm working on increasing that number. What do you spend your disposable income on? Activities with my daughter, going out with friends, dinners, personal upkeep and retail therapy. I spend a maximum of Dh2,000 on myself each month. Do you worry about money? Everyone worries about money, especially when you have the responsibility of kids. I wouldn't say that I can't sleep at night. But we all want to be comfortable. We consider my kid's expenses as she grows up. My husband's work covers her school fees. But when she goes to university or college, that's an additional expense. I work hard to provide a comfortable life for my daughter. Having properties that have appreciated gives you a strong sense of reassurance, and knowing that we don't have liabilities in South Africa. What are your financial goals? My goal is to continue closing deals to bring in an income for myself, perform better than the previous month and the prior year. I want to exceed the targets that I set for myself. What is your idea of financial freedom? To not worry about finances, have a safety net and streams of income coming in from all my investments. Financial freedom is to be comfortable enough to eventually retire, not stress about finances and not live month to month. Do you earn passive income? Not yet. The rent that we earn from our plot in South Africa is paid towards the municipal levies every month. Our next investment will generate passive income, so it should be a rental property in the UAE or South Africa.