Avoid Home Affairs queues, get your smart ID card at these 30 banks in SA

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The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is accelerating its efforts to phase out the green barcoded ID book in favour of the more secure smart ID card, in partnership with South African banks to bring ID and passport services closer to the public.

Currently, 30 bank branches across the country provide access to smart ID card and passport application and renewal services.

These services are available to South African citizens, naturalised citizens, and permanent residents, streamlining the identity document process and reducing long queues at DHA offices.

“Our goal is to make these essential services available in every village, town, city, and suburb in South Africa,” said Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.

“This is part of our broader mission to bring government services directly to the people.”

Banking partnerships and digital integration

The project is integrated with the eHomeAffairs platform, allowing citizens to apply for their smart ID and passport online and complete the biometric and document collection steps at participating bank branches.

To date, five major banks – Standard Bank, FNB, Absa, Nedbank, Investec and Discovery Bank – are offering in-branch Home Affairs services.

Despite initial challenges, including limited bank incentives and service quality concerns, a new agreement brokered by the Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) now gives banks greater operational control over their involvement in the eHomeAffairs system.

This advancement paves the way for future expansion through deeper integration with the Border Management Agency, Government Printing Works, and the South African Revenue Service (SARS).