• We provide information and advice to South African citizens on subjects regarding State of Kuwaitfor which there are frequent requests.  These subjects include but are not limited to customs regulations, civil aviation, taxation, pensions, social and legal services, travel, banking and education.
• The information and advice will be of a general nature.  This office is not in a position to provide specialised advice.  The information will often be in the form of directives for the enquirer to the relevant department or institution.  No private company will be favoured.

• Upon instruction from the Department of Justice, this office formally transmits documents in private legal matters to the relevant authorities and/or individuals;
• We act as a Commissioner of Oaths (South African documents only);
• Legalisation:  We can authenticate the signatures of the authorised officials in the Foreign Ministries of State of Kuwait to validate documents for use in South Africa.  We also submit applications and documentation for apostille certificates on South African documents to the Legalisation Section at the Department of International Relations and Co-operation in Pretoria;
• Service of Process and Maintenance Orders:  We facilitate the process via  judicial channels to have documents served on defendants abroad;
• We facilitate other legal processes via judicial channels when requested to do so by the authorised authorities.  These processes include but are not limited to requests for extradition, rogatory letters, edictal citations and evidence on commission.

Contacting our office via any of the following means:

(a) In person during consular hours by appointment only

(b) By contacting our office at :
Telephone no :  +965 2561 7988/8456 or
Fax no:  +965 2561 7917

(c) By mail.  The address to be used is:
P.O.Box 2262
Mishref
40173
Kuwait

(d) By e-mail to kekaem@dirco.gov.za and vanderwaltl@dirco.gov.za

(e) In the case of an emergency and after-hours only, you can reach the Consular Section by dialling +965 9979 4483.

• We receive and process all applications for South African birth, marriage and death certificates;
• We apply for Letters of No Impediment confirming the marital status of an individual on behalf of South African citizens;
• We receive, process and issue South African emergency travel certificates or temporary passports;
• We receive, process and forward applications for South African identity documents and passports to the Department of Home Affairs;
• We receive and refer various Home Affairs applications, including applications for name change and determination of citizenship to the Department of Home Affairs.

We assist, facilitate and provide guidance on all matters pertaining to the amended South African Immigration Act 13 of 2002 www.dha.gov.za  these matters include: 

• Temporary Residence Permit applications: These applications include, but are not limited to visa applications and work & study permit applications.  These permits are processed by the Embassy, but may in some instances need to be referred to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for approval;
• Applications for Permanent Residence: We receive process and refer all applications for Permanent Residence permits.  This includes interviewing prospective immigrants.

Submitting the completed application form and all the supporting documentation to the Consular Section of this office by one of the following means:

(a) In person, during consular hours only 08h30 to 12h30

(b) By mailing your application to the following address: P.O.Box 2262 Mishref
40173
Kuwait

• The applicable application form can be obtained from the website at www.dha.gov.za
• Application forms and lists of supporting documents to be submitted can also be obtained from this office;
• Depending on the type of service, supporting documents that may be required include, but are not limited to the applicant’s passport, fingerprints, passport size photographs, and proof of provisional booking for return or onward flight and application fees.
• The Consular Section reserves the right to request additional supporting documents on any application as may be deemed necessary.

The Consular Section at the South African Embassy in Kuwait City is committed to providing an effective and efficient service to all our customers throughout the world, irrespective of national origin, age, gender or religious orientation.  Our commitment is to service that can be clearly determined and measured at all times in terms of sensitivity, empathy, courtesy, speed, accuracy and fairness.

We commit ourselves to the principles of service delivery (consultation, service standards, access, courtesy, information, openness & transparency, redress and value for money) and will indicate to you as our customers what you can expect from us with regard to service delivery standards.

The services listed in the Schedules are meant to be generic and the listing is not intended as a definitive itemisation of the range of requests that consular staff are expected to respond to. The listings will be reviewed from time to time in order to keep it current with changing conditions.

The reaction times provided in the minimum operational standards are targets based on best efforts and existing conditions. Our ability to meet the stated times in the Service Delivery Standards are, in many instances, governed by factors that are beyond our control.  Notwithstanding, we will make every effort to meet the stated standard.  When it is not possible to do so, we will explain to our customers the reasons for not being able to meet the required standards.

It is very important to note that during times of emergencies and disasters these matters will receive preference.  During such periods all other consular services rendered may be limited and the timeframes set out in the standards may not be met.

• We serve all customers in an unbiased, polite, helpful and impartial manner;
• We dress appropriately and professionally, respecting our customers;
• All members of the public are treated as customers who are entitled to receive high standards of service;
• We are punctual in the execution of our duties and are committed to timely service;
• We co-operate fully with other employees to advance the public interest.  We share information, work as a team to maintain the standards and to achieve our objectives;
• We execute all reasonable instructions by persons officially assigned to issue them;
• We execute our duties in a professional, competent and accountable manner;
• We honour the confidentiality of matters, documents and discussions;
• We take responsibility for our own work and the work and workflow of the Embassy as a whole;
• All services rendered shall be communicated to customers in English or the official language(s) of State of Kuwait.  If a South African customer wishes to be served in any of the other official languages, every attempt will be made to find an employee in the Embassy to assist in customer’s language of choice;
• All effort is made to avoid error.  Accuracy of at least 90% is guaranteed;
• The Consular Section is in continuous consultation with relevant role-players to ensure that information provided to the public is correct and up to date.  Information provided by this section is reliable subject only to the accuracy and timeousness of data received from outside agencies;
• In order to provide the best possible service to our customers, an employee deal with one customer/case/telephone enquiry at a time, giving the customer his/her full attention during this period;
• Our consular hours are from 08h30 to 12h30, Sundays to Thursdays (excluding public holidays).  These restricted hours do not apply to South Africans requiring emergency services.  Members of the consular staff will respond to persons telephoning the emergency telephone number requesting emergency services, regardless of the time;
• The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 includes corporate customers within its ambit. As such, South African corporate legal entities are entitled to consular services in the same manner as individuals, exclusive of intervention in commercial, civil or criminal disputes where recourse to recognised legal recourse is available.

A record is kept of the number of documents and cases processed each day and the number of errors and complaints received.  Corrective measures will be taken. 

The customer can complete the Customer Service Delivery Feedback Form or contact the Corporate Services Manager at e-mail address vanderwaltl@dirco.gov.za or telephonically at +965 2561 7988.

We will respond to all complaints and suggestions received within one week of receipt thereof.  We welcome comments and suggestions on our service and its quality.

In return we expect the public to be civil and courteous and to respect the dignity of our officials at all times.