The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has announced that all e-passport applications processed at the Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa, will be treated as express/emergency applications under Statutory Instrument 1 of 2024. This directive, effective from Monday, 29 July 2024, sets the passport application fee for express/emergency passports at USD 250 (approximately ZAR 4,750 at the prevailing exchange rate).
Details of the New E-Passport Fees
Mr. Phiri from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage clarified the implications of the new directive. “In effect, this means passport application fees for the express/emergency passport shall be USD 250 (approximately ZAR 4,750), charged at the prevailing USD/ZAR exchange rate with effect from Monday, 29 July 2024,” he stated.
Additional Fees for QR Code
In addition to the standard fee, passport seekers will also be required to pay an additional USD 20 (approximately ZAR 380) for each electronically readable passport application to obtain a Quick Response (QR) code. This brings the total cost for an e-passport application to USD 270 (approximately ZAR 5,130).
Summary of Fees
- Express/Emergency Passport Fee: USD 250 (approximately ZAR 4,750)
- QR Code Fee: USD 20 (approximately ZAR 380)
- Total Cost: USD 270 (approximately ZAR 5,130)
These fees apply to all e-passport applications processed at the Zimbabwean Consulate in Johannesburg and reflect the Ministry’s efforts to streamline the passport application process while ensuring swift processing times for applicants.