VFS Tracking South Africa: A Comprehensive Guide

Tracking Your VFS South African Visa Applications

VFS Global Tracking is a system used by South Africa visa applicants to track the status of their visa applications. The system allows applicants to monitor the progress of their applications and receive updates on any changes or requirements.

To use the VFS Global Tracking system, applicants need to provide their AURN number and last name for their application. The system provides a user-friendly interface and is accessible online, making it easy for applicants to check the status of their applications from anywhere at any time.

The VFS Global Tracking system is an important tool for South African visa applicants, as it helps them stay informed about the progress of their applications and ensures that everything is moving forward smoothly.

The system provides peace of mind for applicants, they can easily check the status of their applications at any time and from anywhere. This eliminates the need for frequent phone calls or emails to inquire about the status of their applications, saving both time and energy.

Furthermore, the user-friendly interface and accessible online system make it easy for applicants to use, even if they are not technically savvy. This helps to ensure that everyone has equal access to information about the status of their applications, regardless of their level of technical expertise.

In conclusion, the VFS Global Tracking system is an important tool for South African visa applicants, providing a convenient, efficient, and accessible way to stay informed about the progress of their applications.

If you need to apply for a visa, then the South Africa visa types is a great place to start.

How to use VFS Global Tracking for South African Applicants – Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and other regional areas

Using the system to monitor the status of a South African Visa application is simple.

Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Visit the VFS website: start by visiting the website, you can do so by clicking this link.
  2. Enter your information: You will be asked to enter your AURN number and your last number.
  3. Track your application: Once you have entered your information, you will be able to see the status of your visa application.
  4. Check for updates regularly: It is important to check for updates regularly, as the status of your application may change at any time. By using the system you can stay informed, and you will know when your visa outcome is ready to collect.

When a decision has been made regarding your visa application, you will receive an update via email. If you have trouble accessing your email or want more detailed information, you can also receive updates through SMS messages sent directly to your phone.

It is important to note that the information provided by VFS is only going to update you on whether your application is still processing or ready to collect and will not reflect the decision of your outcome. If you have any concerns or questions about your application, it is best to contact VFS directly.

By following these simple steps, you can easily use the VFS system to monitor the status of your South Africa visa application and stay informed.

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What is the AURN Number for VFS?

The AURN Number refers to the Application Unique Reference Number, which is a unique identifier assigned to a visa application when it is submitted to a Visa Application Centre. The AURN number is used to track the progress of a visa application and can be used to check the status of the application using the system.

If you have applied for a visa through the VFS centre, you should have received your AURN number either in an email or on your visa application receipt. If you cannot locate your AURN number, you may need to obtain a South African police affidavit from VFS so that they can assist you.

How do I know if my visa application was successful from VFS?

The VFS tracking system provides the status of a visa application, but it is not an official confirmation of whether the visa has been approved or not. The only way to officially determine if a visa has been approved is to collect the outcome from a Visa Application Centre.

After the processing of the visa application is complete, the Department of Home Affairs will send the decision to the Visa Application Centre, where the applicant can collect it. The applicant will receive an email or other official communication from the Visa Application Centre advising them when the outcome is ready for collection.

It is important to follow all the instructions provided by VFS, including the specific requirements for collecting the visa outcome, such as presenting identification or other documents. Failing to follow the instructions may result in you not getting your outcome.

How often should I check the VFS system for updates?

If your visa application is still in progress, it is recommended that you check the system at least once a week for updates.

If you have received a notification, you should then go to the Visa Application Centre to collect your outcome as soon as possible.

What should I do if I have questions or concerns about the status of my visa application?

If you have questions or concerns about the status of your visa application, it is best to follow the steps below:

  1. Check the system: The system provides information on the status of your visa application and may be able to answer your questions or address your concerns.
  2. Contact the Visa Application Centre: If the system does not provide the information you need, you can contact the visa application centre directly for additional information. The visa application centre will be able to provide you with more detailed information on the status of your application and specific questions or concerns you may have. You can contact them by dialling this number +27124253000 (Operating hours Monday – Friday 08:00 to 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm)
  3. Follow up with the Department of Home Affairs: If the visa application centre is unable to address your concerns, you can follow up with the Department of Home Affairs.
  4. Contact an Immigration Consultant: If you are still not satisfied with the information you have received from the visa application centre or Department of Home Affairs, you may want to consider seeking assistance from immigration agents in South Africa.

Overall, it is important to take an active role in following up on the status of your visa application and addressing any questions or concerns you may have promptly.

What happens after my visa application has been processed by the Department of Home Affairs?

Once your visa application has been processed by the Department of Home Affairs, you will receive a decision on the outcome of your application. Depending on the outcome of your application, the next steps may include:

  1. Approval: If your visa application is approved, you will receive a visa label on your passport.
  2. Rejection: If your visa application is rejected, you will receive a letter of rejection from the embassy or consulate, explaining the reasons for the rejection. Depending on the circumstances, you may have an opportunity to appeal the decision (visa appeal to South Africa).

Regardless of the outcome of your visa application, it is important to keep a copy of all of your documents and correspondence related to your application, in case you need to refer to them in future.

How do I collect the outcome of my visa application from the Visa Application Centre?

To collect the result of your visa application centre where you submitted it, you need to bring the original passport for identity verification. The processed outcome will only be given to you if you have all the required documents, including the original CUM Invoice Receipt. If you have lost your CUM receipt/invoice then you would need to obtain a South Africa affidavit from the police station.

If a representative is collecting the decision on your behalf, they need to bring the original passport, a power of attorney letter, their ID and their Photo ID. The power of attorney letter must state the name of the representative, their photo ID, ID number, and the applicant’s signature. The applicant must provide the original Invoice Cum Receipt when collecting the outcome.

My visa application is taking a very long to process

If you find that your visa application is taking a long time to process, there are several reasons why:

  • The processing time: The Department of Home Affairs has a huge backlog of applications and it could take anything between 8 – 12 months.
  • Your visa application could have been misplaced and therefore you would have to follow up with DHA.

Can I leave South Africa with an expired visa while my visa is being processed by the Department of Home Affairs?

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in South Africa introduced temporary measures on September 1, 2022, due to an increased backlog in processing visa and waiver applications. The temporary measures include a blanket temporary extension of current visa status until March 31, 2023, for foreign nationals awaiting visa and waiver application outcomes. Foreign nationals can leave the country by March 31, 2023, without being declared undesirable. If they abandon the process of their pending visa or waiver application.

Foreign nationals with pending long-term visa applications who come from visa-exempt countries will be allowed to travel if they present their original VFS receipt upon departure and re-entry into South Africa. However, those from non-visa-exempt countries will be required to produce a port of entry visa and the VFS receipt for re-entry. The extended temporary measures only apply to foreign nationals who have legally entered South Africa and are waiting for the outcome of a visa waiver application.

Regarding the decentralization of the visa adjudication system, pending long-term visa applications submitted in a relevant South African embassy, consulate or mission before September 1, 2022, will still be adjudicated by the DHA in South Africa. However, all new long-term visa applications submitted in a relevant South Africa embassy abroad will be adjudicated by the relevant consular section. Due to the various internal changes, delays in receiving outcomes can be expected.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, South Africa visa applicants need to stay informed and updated on the status of their visa application. The VFS tracking system is a convenient tool that allows applicants to monitor their visa application process. It is recommended that applicants check the tracking system regularly for any updates and to ensure that their application is progressing smoothly.

For those who have any questions or concerns about their visa application status, it is important to reach out to the relevant authorities for clarification. It is essential to make sure that all the necessary documents are prepared and submitted correctly to avoid any delays in the processing of your visa application.

To have a smooth and successful visa application process, it is also recommended to familiarize yourself with the requirements and process involved and to start your application as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for processing.

In short, taking the time to stay informed and prepared is key to ensuring a smooth and successful visa application process when using the VFS tracking system in South Africa.

Disclaimer:

Why was this content created?

The content created about VFS Tracking for South Africa is to be a helpful and informative guide for people wishing to follow up with their visa. The content on the page aims to be a valuable resource for foreign nationals wanting to do a visa follow.

How Was This Content Created?

The content was created through Charl Vollmer’s years of knowledge and expertise which he gained through assisting various foreign nationals applying for the visa. 

Information was cited from the following sources:

About Charl

Charl Vollmer

Charl Vollmer has 12 years of experience helping people immigrate to South Africa. I am passionate about helping people and making their dreams a reality. Charl constantly stays up to date with South African Immigration rules and regulations.  To contact Charl, visit our contact page. View our content integrity guidelines to how content is created.

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