Consulate General of South Africa

I thought of a leave a suggestion to SA Consulate to make their service better. After reading all those negative comments , I realise that negative impression of South Africa is created by South Africa and its people. South African Government and people can create the best impression about your country. But you do not get the respect if you treat people with rudeness. Yes I can understand sometimes your frustrations, that can lead to being rude. But just understand when you treat people badly, you creating a negative impression on yourself. Consulate General represent South Africa. If you want to portray the best of the South Africa all across the world, treat the pepople with such a great self respect and respect towards others. Otherwise you are creating a really really bad impression on yourself and also to South Africa.

No one answers the phone. Looks like I’ll be going there in person. Such terrible service

This is a belated review that I've been meaning to post. On September 16, 2019 I visited the embassy to apply for a new passport as mine had expired. I had read the reviews so I went to the embassy expecting to run into issues and unfriendly employees. Well, that is so not what I experienced over the phone nor at the office itself.nnWhen I called the embassy prior to my departure from Michigan, the call was answered within 3 rings. On the line was Audrey. Audrey was very polite and patient, answering every question I asked even when I asked the same question different ways. She gave me instructions on what to expect when I arrived at the embassy, and confirmed what documents I needed.nnAt the embassy itself I was first stationed in a reception room to sign in and wait to be called for processing. The lady behind the glass window was busy but still polite, never rude. She finally buzzed me through to the processing room. There I was met by Audrey. I was still a little nervous, not knowing fully what to expect.nnAudrey helped me quickly organize myself with a very kind and patient demeanor. She knew exactly what was needed. She checked that all the right documents and artifacts were present and then took all my fingerprints. After that we double checked documents again.nnI can honestly say I had an excellent experience. I was anxious about possibly having missed some document or process. Audrey helped me prepare over the phone prior to my visit and sure as nuts she was spot on!nnThank you for your friendly and courteous behaviour. You certainly made an anxious visit a calm experience for me.

An African here writing this review. Imagine my shock when I found out that I had to be physically present to apply for a South African visa. Overall, I had a bizarre experience at the SA embassy in Chicago and no one needs to go through just to go visit SA and contribute to their tourism. I had to fly to Chicago for my appointment, add here unnecessary expense of buying RT ticket, transportation to and from airport, loss of wages for the day, and time away from family etc. During the appointment I was asked to notarize a copy of my passport, green card and Yellow fever card. Not sure why it is necessary when I am physically present at the embassy with all the original documents. Most banks won’t notarize passports copies for security reasons and rightfully so; and when I told that to the agent, she sent me to a corner shop a block away. The guy at the copy shop called someone over the phone and mentioned that I was sent from the SA embassy (A Major Red Flag!). Person did not bother to check against the original rather just stamped my copies, told me to sign, pay per stamped copy and then headed back again to the embassy. At Embassy, agent made a fuss that Airbnb was not under my name. Apparently, it can’t be under your spouse’s name and wanted to see my name listed as a guest as well. Luckily it wasn’t too bad to add name to the list. Here is my biggest question, If I didn’t have to give fingerprint (assuming they are trying to give you the EU visa application treatment) or get your passport back the same day why did I have to spend my time and resources to appear in person for a visa? Not to mention the unnecessary of an African needing a visa to visit a fellow African country.

The absolute best - be polite, respectful, and kind - and they will deliver EXCELLENT service. They've processed two visas - in 2014 and 2018, the latter of which I needed sooner than expected and they worked with me to ensure I got it on time. They've always answered my phone calls or returned them immediately and been of utmost help. If you travel often or work overseas, you know that there is a lot of paperwork involved in getting any work or residency visa - getting snappy with them over the extensive list, isn't going to help anything. So grateful for this office and everyone in it - thank you!