Dreading the Home Affairs hassle? Get your smart card ID at any of these 30 bank branches

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Green ID book/ Picture: X(formerly Twitter)

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in South Africa is intensifying its initiative to replace the outdated green ID books with more secure smart ID cards. To facilitate this transition, the DHA has partnered with various banks to offer smart ID and passport services at select bank branches.

Current availability
Currently, 30 bank branches across South Africa allow individuals to apply for or renew their smart ID cards and passports. These services are available to South African citizens, naturalised citizens and permanent residents.

Challenges and developments
The limited expansion of these services has been attributed to the minimal direct benefits for banks and concerns over service quality. In response, banks have sought greater involvement in the eHomeAffairs platform. An online system that helps South Africans apply for smart IDs and passports without going to a government office. After applying online, you can go to a participating bank to finish the process and pick up your documents.

The Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) has successfully negotiated an agreement with the DHA that grants banks more control over the platform’s operations.

Future expansion plans
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has acknowledged the need for broader access to these services. He envisions a significant increase in participating bank branches, aiming for availability in every village, town, city, and suburb across South Africa. This expansion is expected to alleviate pressure on DHA offices and reduce long queues, explains MyBroadband.

To support this goal, the DHA has finalised agreements with the Border Management Agency, Government Printing Works, and the South African Revenue Service. These collaborations aim to integrate Home Affairs services into banking platforms, extending access to smart ID and passport services through numerous banks and banking applications.