VFS

Many foreigners within S.A duly utilise the services of VFS Global to obtain their legal documentation to reside in the Republic. VFS is contracted to the Dept of Home affairs, however they are a business entity and not a "free" government organisation. Applicants spend much time and money to submit their applications via VFS to the Department of Home Affairs. Their promised turn around time is 6 to 8 weeks for a response from the Department of Home Affairs. From date of application to the time it reaches the Department, VFS then slacks in their communication with the client/applicant. We are now waiting for than a year to receive some sort of feedback for our application. VFS simply says "they cannot help until the Home Affairs responds to them". They are the registered affiliation center, therefore they need to provide proper and concise feedback to paying clients. What I find most disturbing is that certain applications are handled by "agents" who demand large sums of cash from applicants to some what "push" out their application from the Home Affairs and they are duly successful in receiving their documents on time. VFS needs to be able to assist applicants in ensuring the receiving of their documents without involving a "third party" It seems as if the agents are working hand in hand with the Dept of Home Affairs and their inside officials to process documents and legit papers only to those willing to pay the so called agents and officials within the Home Affiars.