South African Embassy, Sofia, Bulgaria

South Africa to maintain close ties with Bulgaria as the embassy in Sofia winds down operations The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) announces the decision to close the South African Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, effective 30 June 2025. This decision, informed by prudent fiscal considerations and the need to prioritise national resource allocation, forms part of a br...

Media Statement
16 April 2025
South African Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria Announces closure of Consular Services

The South African Embassy in Sofia wishes to inform the Bulgarian public and South African citizens residing in Bulgaria that, since 17 March 2025, the Embassy is no longer providing consular services.

This decision has been made as part of a broader restructuring of consular services to better serve South African citizens globally. We understand that this change may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise for any disruption it may cause.

South African citizens and Bulgarian citizens alike, are encouraged to utilise the services of the South African Embassy in Athens, Greece for all consular needs, including passport applications, visa inquiries, and other related services.

We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the South African community in Bulgaria during this transition. South Africa reaffirms its commitment to the people and Government of Bulgaria. South Africa will continue to engage and cooperate with the Bulgarian Embassy in South Africa.

For further information and updates, please visit the official website of the South African Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084

Please be informed that our telephones are now in order and you may contact us telephonically.

Please be informed that this Mission is still encountering problems with its telephones. Should you have any queries, please address us via e-mail. Apologies for the inconvenience caused.

Please be advised that South Africans who have registered to vote at this Embassy may do so on Saturday, 18 May 2024 from 7:00 to 19:00 hrs.

Kindly be advised that our telephones are now functioning.

Please be advised that our computer sustem is now functioning and anyone who wants to contact us may do so via email: [email protected]

Please be informed that our Embassy’s computer system and telephones will not be functioning this week. You will be duly informed when the systems start functioning again.

VOTER REGISTRATION & VOTING OUTSIDE OF SOUTH AFRICA
FOR THE 2024 NATIONAL ELECTIONS
1. To verify if a person is registered to vote, type in the ID number on
the IEC website to verify: www.elections.org.za.

2. Click on “Check my voter registration status” and type in the ID number in the space provided.

3. The results will indicate whether the person is registered or not.

4. If the results indicate the person is registered to vote – no
additional action is required for now. They do not have to
travel to the Mission to register. They however will be required
to complete an online “NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION TO
CEO FOR SPECIAL VOTES ABROAD” Form application to
indicate that they will be voting outside of the country. The online
application will available on the IEC website on the date of
proclamation for a period of 15 days thereafter.

5. If the results indicate the person is not registered to vote - The
Mission should encourage them to register on-line at IEC Home -
Electoral Commission of South Africa (elections.org.za).
www.elections.org.za/pw/ = the online portal to register.
o Follow the instructions under “Register to vote abroad”.

6. The intention of the registration weekend is to assist South
Africans that are not registered and could not for some reason,
manage to register online.

IEC Home - Electoral Commission of South Africa Resources for and on parties and candidates, incl. party funding, and tools such as the Online Candidate Nomination System and Party Liaison Committee Document System

N/B

On-line portal for voter registration is open, the link (https://www.elections.org.za/) should be used. South African Nationals are encouraged to register online.
The dates of the voter registration weekend for the Embassy , and that the weekend voter registration is to accommodate South African Nationals that could not register online.
Should South African Nationals have enquiries regarding voter registration and voting, the IEC must be contacted directly via their website.

Please be advised that the South African Embassy in Sofia will be closed on 15 December 2023 (Friday) and during the period from 25 December 2023 until 2 January 2024. Tuesday, 2 January 2024 will be the first working day in 2024.