After receiving the SMS from VFS that read, “Finalised Outcome for T… has been received at VFC of SUBMISSION on Tue Nov 12 2024. Please visit www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica/collection-of-decision.html for collection procedures,” we were eager to complete the process.
However, the provided link greeted us with a frustrating “Page Not Found.” This meant piecing together information from scattered online sources, primarily Facebook posts, which offered varied and inconsistent accounts of the process.
This article aims to fill the information gap and provide a clear, step-by-step guide based on our personal experience of collecting a residence permit at the VFS Centre at 2 Long Street, Cape Town.
A Flurry of SMS Updates After 18 Months of Silence
Before receiving the all-important collection SMS, the process suddenly gained momentum after a long period of inactivity.
Our application had been lodged 18 months ago, with no updates until 8 November 2024, when the first SMS arrived:
- “Application for T… has been forwarded to Pretoria OC on Fri Nov 08 2024.”
This was followed by a series of updates within days:
- On 10 November 2024: “Decision for T… has been received at the VFS Pretoria Hub on Sun Nov 10 2024. It would be sent to the Facilitation Centre in 1 Working Day.”
- Later that same day: “Application for T… has been forwarded to VFC on Sun Nov 10 2024.”
Finally, on 12 November 2024, we received the SMS to collect:
- “Finalised Outcome for T… has been received at VFC of SUBMISSION on Tue Nov 12 2024.”
After nearly 18 months of silence, it was surreal to receive so many updates in such a short span of time.
Once the collection was completed, we received the final SMS:
- “Application for T… has been collected on Mon Nov 25 2024.”
Essential Documents for Collection
The single most important documents you need for collection are:
- Passport: Ensure you bring your original passport, as it is required to verify your identity, affix your visa/permit, and complete the process.
- Original VFS Receipt: No photocopies allowed; the original slip is mandatory. Once the process is complete, the receipt will be returned to you with a black marking to indicate it has been used.
- Lost Your Receipt? You’ll need a signed affidavit explaining the loss, which must be presented to the staff.
Bringing these documents ensures a smoother experience and avoids unnecessary delays during the collection process.
The Collection Experience at 2 Long Street
Arrival and Initial Observations
We arrived at the VFS Centre at 09:35 AM, a full 25 minutes before collections officially began at 10:00 AM.
The queue was already forming outside the building and stretched all the way to the traffic robot at the corner of Long Street and Hans Strijdom Avenue.
It was a sunny Monday, and thankfully, the weather was pleasant. We actually brought an umbrella, thinking it might rain or become intermittently hot—you never know with Cape Town weather.
While waiting, we had a chance to chat with others in the queue. We met a friendly Spanish gentleman married to a South African, a student looking to extend his stay, and another gentleman collecting a work permit.
Surprisingly, their permit applications had been processed in record time—each applied just one to three months ago.
In contrast, our outcome was for an application lodged on 14 April 2023, over 18 months ago.
However, we realised we weren’t the worst off; on Facebook, some people reported receiving outcomes this month for applications lodged as far back as 2016.
While Home Affairs has long been infamous for its backlogs, it seems change has finally arrived.
Whether it’s due to a new minister, coalition government, or simply a shift in employee efficiency, it’s a welcome development.
Be Prepared for Second-hand Smoke
One thing to note is that smoking was prevalent while waiting outside. It wasn’t just foreign nationals; office workers from nearby buildings and surrounding areas also occasionally came by on their smoke breaks.
If you are sensitive to smoke or second-hand smoke, this may be uncomfortable.
Token Distribution and Entry
By 10:15 AM, staff began distributing pre-printed tokens to those in the collections queue. We received token number 123.
The process of entering the building was orderly, with security personnel guiding applicants to the correct areas.
By 10:53 AM, it was our turn—or more specifically, my wife’s turn. Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to accompany her upstairs.
Waiting at Vida e Caffè
While waiting for my wife, I decided to step into the Vida e Caffè located downstairs in the same building.
The café not only offers coffee and light snacks but also has male and female toilets inside, which anyone seemed to be able to use, regardless of whether they were a customer.
This was a convenient and comfortable option, especially for anyone needing a break from the wait or a quick refresh.
Inside the Building
My wife proceeded with her passport and the all-important VFS receipt. She was ushered from the lift lobby, through a corridor, via the room we had previously used for our application last year, and then to the collections waiting room.
The entire process inside lasted about 1 hour and 30 minutes, during which staff verified her documents and affixed the visa to her passport.
Key Takeaways and Tips
- Arrive Early but Not Too Early: Arriving around 09:30 AM ensures you’re near the front of the queue when token distribution begins.
- Bring the Original Receipt and Passport: These are essential. The receipt will be returned to you with a black marking to indicate it has been used.
- Prepare for a Wait: Even after entering the building, the process can take up to two hours depending on how busy the centre is.
- Only the Applicant is Allowed Upstairs: If you’re accompanying someone, plan to wait outside or nearby.
- Utilise Nearby Amenities: The Vida e Caffè downstairs offers a comfortable waiting spot with access to clean toilets.
- Be Prepared for Second-hand Smoke: Smokers may include both foreign nationals and office workers from the area, which could be uncomfortable for those sensitive to smoke.
- Expect Varied Processing Times: While some recent applications seem to be processed quickly, older applications still face delays.
The collection process at the VFS Centre in 2 Long Street, Cape Town, reflects a blend of structure and patience.
While the experience outside can offer moments of connection with others, the process requires preparation and perseverance.
Home Affairs’ recent improvements in handling backlogs are a positive development, even if delays still affect older applications.
By ensuring you have the necessary documents and managing your expectations, you can complete this essential step smoothly and move forward with your residency journey.
Great Good News
We are still waiting, when we opened our Online Tracking at VFS ,we saw it ‘s on its way, it has reached to VFC, not at VFS,
We submitted our documents on Aug 25,2022 for a Temporary Residence
Great! Fingers crossed for a positive outcome. August 25, 2022, is too long a wait.
We have completed the online application and paid for an Tourist Visa extension (section 11(1)(a)) but are unable to schedule an appointment with VFS in Cape Town as there are no available appointments. I emailed them and they told me there currently are no available appointments but that I should keep checking incase someone cancels their appointment which would mean that time slot would become available. We are now just past our first 30 days into our Passport Visa stamp which we received when we entered Cape Town. I am not sure what to do. Is anyone else in this same predicament?
Yes, unfortunately, due to the large number of application outcomes currently being processed (after years of backlogs) and the resulting rejections and appeals, VFS is overwhelmed with appointment booking requests. At this point, you’ll need to hope for cancellations or the release of new appointment slots. But keep trying.
Thank you. I check every few hours and never see any spots available. I emailed VFS again asking when new time slots would be available – they told me: Kindly check on the website regularly as there is no specific date on when slots will be available.
I even tried booking at different VFS locations in SA but none of them have any apts. available either. I guess if we don’t get an apt we will have to fly home and back and apply for a refund from VFS. An expensive problem.
So sorry to hear about this — it really is a mess with VFS at the moment. I even saw an internal circular supposedly from Home Affairs making the rounds, stating that appeals (stemming from the many rejections right now) will have to be submitted online via VFS. This is apparently because there are basically no slots available to lodge appeals within the required 10 days.
Yes, it’s definitely an expensive problem. On the bright side, it will reset your time here if you’re on a 90-day visa-free stay, or it could certainly speed things up if you’re from a visa-requiring country and apply for the visa at the embassy. I know a friend who applied at the erstwhile South African Embassy in Romania – it only took one day to have the visa issued.
I also had a colleague who flew back to Vietnam years ago to do their Inter-Company Transfer. What was meant to take three months in South Africa was done in just under a week at the SA Embassy in Hanoi.
All the best — I hope you come right.
Thanks – We are EU citizens so we do get a 90 day tourist visa stamp on our passports when we arrive in South Africa. Interesting what you say about your friend applying from a SA embassy in Romania. This makes me think ahead for next year – Is it possible to apply for a 180 day tourist visa from a South African Embassy in an EU country – for ex. from Ireland or Bulgaria?
I really appreciate your help.
You are welcome. Only seeing this now actually. Unfortunately, there is no 180-day tourist visa. Tourist visas for more than 90 days are reserved for individuals conducting short-term work with South African hosts, companies, or organisations, such as visiting lecturers, artists, entertainers, etc. Your best option as a tourist remains the 90-day visa exemption, plus an extension when you are here.
Another option, if you qualify income-wise and plan to stay longer, could be the remote work visa (the so-called digital nomad visa). However, in all cases beyond the 90-day tourist visa exemption and extension, the application would require you to have a citizen ID or residence permit issued by Bulgaria or Ireland — essentially, proof of residence.
Could you explain if you had to take an appointment online to collect your wife’s visa? i’m looking for the link everywhere and i can only find the one to apply for the visa.
same here
Only seeing this now. You don’t need an appointment—just bring the slip they gave you when you applied for the visa, along with your passport. Make sure to arrive early, as I explained in the article. Collections start at 10:00 AM, and there will likely already be a fairly long line.