The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) confirmed plans to expand its digital services (specifically your smart ID and passport) by adding more participating bank branches to the eHomeAffairs system.
This will allow more South Africans to apply for IDs and passports at their local bank instead of waiting in long queues at DHA offices.
Currently, 30 bank branches offer these services.
More banks for Smart ID collection
The department now aims to scale this number significantly, with over 100 branches expected to be added through renewed agreements with key partners, including:
- Absa,
- FNB,
- Nedbank,
- Standard Bank.
DHA’s goal is to reduce congestion, improve service delivery, and bring government functions closer to where people actually live and work.
Smart ID services: How it works
The process is simple, and it’s all handled through the eHomeAffairs portal:
- Apply online for your Smart ID or passport.
- Pay through the platform.
- Book a biometric appointment at a participating bank branch.
Once you’ve done your fingerprints and photos at the bank, you’ll receive an SMS when your document is ready for collection at the same branch. No back-and-forth required.
The system is available only to South African-born citizens for now.
A long time coming
The DHA first piloted the bank-based ID and passport rollout back in 2016. Since then, it’s become a go-to for anyone who managed to book early.
Demand, however, has far outpaced supply, with appointments at some branches booked out months in advance.
Expanding the service means fewer bottlenecks and more coverage, especially in underserved areas.
Details about exactly which branches will be added haven’t been made public yet, but updates are expected in the coming months.
Gov’s digital-first approach
South Africans have long dealt with inefficiencies in government services. This move shows what’s possible when departments take a digital-first approach (and hopefully back it up with the right partnerships).
You shouldn’t have to take a day off work just to apply for a legal document. That’s what this is really about: access, dignity, and time.
And sure, it’s still a government platform. It won’t be flawless. But it’s getting closer to functional. And that’s a win worth noting.
