Refund *****ery
<p>I am attempting to apply for permanent residence for a friend who is a Swazi citizen married to a South African since 2003. The spouse is a Sassa pensioner. I created 3 applications in the website, but every time there is something that is incorrect (according to VFS). I tried the first time, and I filled in the married surname in the surname field, and the ****en name in the ****en name field, but VFS told me it was wrong. Then I tried again with the ****en name in the surname field and the married name in the ****en name field, but VFS told me this was wrong. Then I tried again with the ****en name in both fields,but its still wrong. VFS says that I must put a "." in the ****en name field. In my opinion, my first attempt at filling out the website was correct. It's hit and miss. You pay R1350 fill out the form, maybe its right, maybe its wrong.</p> <p>This would be a minor annoyance normally, but with VFS, I need to pay R1350 for a new application each time I attempt to fill in this field. I have already paid R1350 three times because of bugs in their website. They say that I can apply for a refund but they deduct a R850 processing fee each time.</p> <p> I app**** for a refund for my first attempt. I paid online with my credit card. There is no response from this refund. I assume that I didnt apply for the refund by following the correct procedures, which I dont know what they are. </p> <p>Their website says that there is a long turnaround for refunds. This is *****ery. They make a dysfuntional website, and then make the user pay exorbitant costs. Why dont they use all the "Processing Fees" to fix their system?</p> <p> </p>
Thank you for writing to us and sharing your feedback. Please be assured that we value your feedback and have submitted your complaint to the relevant VFS office, who will contact you within the next 2 working days.
Kind Regards,
VFS Global
Best regards,
Thank you for writing to us and sharing your feedback. Please be assured that we value your feedback and have submitted your complaint to the relevant VFS office, who will contact you within the next 2 working days.
Kind Regards,
VFS Global
Best regards,
Some updates: I phoned the call centre and also emailed a query to VFS. They both told me to reapply, pay again and apply for a refund.
However, my friend went to the Rivonia branch again (she has already been there many times, they even know her by name). She was helped by a wonderful lady staff member, who managed to assist her in getting the application submitted to home affairs. She even managed to apply for a refund. Apparantly she will get the full refund of R1350 + R1350. The refund will apparently take more than 30 days, and the application will take about 12 months. So we will wait and see, and hopefully have a positive outcome
Some updates: I phoned the call centre and also emailed a query to VFS. They both told me to reapply, pay again and apply for a refund.
However, my friend went to the Rivonia branch again (she has already been there many times, they even know her by name). She was helped by a wonderful lady staff member, who managed to assist her in getting the application submitted to home affairs. She even managed to apply for a refund. Apparantly she will get the full refund of R1350 + R1350. The refund will apparently take more than 30 days, and the application will take about 12 months. So we will wait and see, and hopefully have a positive outcome
Another update: I was refunded the full amount of R2700 after 2 weeks of completing the refund application form. The refund application from the website doesnt seem to work. You need to fill out a different form (I think).
After the "Official Business Reply" on Hello Peter, I didnt get any response from VFS. They promised a response within 2 days, but I'm still waiting.
So, overall, my issues are resolved for now. I'll wait for 12 months for the Permanent Residence.
Still, the VFS website and processes are the most pathetic I have ever had the misery of using
Another update: I was refunded the full amount of R2700 after 2 weeks of completing the refund application form. The refund application from the website doesnt seem to work. You need to fill out a different form (I think).
After the "Official Business Reply" on Hello Peter, I didnt get any response from VFS. They promised a response within 2 days, but I'm still waiting.
So, overall, my issues are resolved for now. I'll wait for 12 months for the Permanent Residence.
Still, the VFS website and processes are the most pathetic I have ever had the misery of using
This serves as confirmation that a VFS representative has been in contact with you.
If you have any further queries or complaints, kindly forward to ***
Kind Regards,
VFS Global
Best regards,
This serves as confirmation that a VFS representative has been in contact with you.
If you have any further queries or complaints, kindly forward to ***
Kind Regards,
VFS Global
Best regards,