Navigating the Department of Home Affairs is a task many South Africans try to avoid. Long queues, unreliable systems, and frustrating service have led to countless complaints about the department. People often find themselves waiting for hours, only to encounter rude staff or malfunctioning computers.
In response, former Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi acknowledged the widespread issue of long queues and rolled out several initiatives to improve service delivery, such as upgrading the department’s technology and expanding mobile units. Despite these efforts, the hassle of visiting Home Affairs offices remains a common frustration.
However, there is a more convenient option for obtaining a new passport or smart ID: select bank branches across the country are now offering these services. Since the launch of the eHome Affairs initiative in 2015, a collaboration between the Department of Home Affairs and several banks, South Africans can apply for passports and smart IDs at designated bank branches.
How the eHome Affairs System Works
Through the eHome Affairs system, South Africans can bypass the need to visit a Home Affairs office. After making an appointment online, individuals visit one of the participating bank branches to have their biometric data — such as a photo and fingerprints — captured. The entire process is paperless: all necessary details and payments are submitted through the eHome Affairs digital platform. – You can log on HERE
Once the application is processed, applicants are notified when their new passport or smart ID is ready for collection at the same bank branch. This system offers a much smoother, more efficient alternative to traditional Home Affairs services, and millions of South Africans have already benefited from it.
Participating Banks and Branch Locations
Currently, there are 30 bank branches where individuals can get their smart ID or passport. These branches are spread across several major banks, including Absa, Discovery Bank, FNB, Nedbank, Investec, and Standard Bank.
Plans for Expansion
The good news is that the service is expanding. FNB is set to add 18 more branches, while Absa is preparing an additional 12 locations. Discovery Bank also plans to expand its network with four new branches in Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban. Additionally, Nedbank has expressed interest in expanding its offerings but has yet to confirm the number of new branches.
If all these plans go ahead, the number of participating bank branches will rise to 64, making the process even more accessible to South Africans across the country.
Regional Availability
While the service is expanding, it is not yet available in all provinces. Currently, South Africans in the Free State and North West are unable to access this service at bank branches, a gap the Department of Home Affairs intends to address. For now, the service is available in select branches in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal.
List of Bank Branches Offering Passport and Smart ID Services
| Province | Bank | Branch | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng (17) | Absa | Centurion Lifestyle Centre | C/o Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Rd, Centurion Lifestyle Centre, Centurion |
| Absa | Key West Krugersdorp | Shop 80, Key West Shopping Centre, c/o Paardekraal Drive and Viljoen Street, Krugersdorp | |
| Absa | Sandton City | C/o Rivonia Road and 5th Street, Sandton | |
| Absa | Towers | C/o Commissioner and Troye Streets, Johannesburg | |
| Discovery Bank | Head Office | 1 Discovery Place, c/o Rivonia Road and Katherine Street, Sandton | |
| FNB | Centurion Lifestyle Centre | C/o Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Rd, Centurion Lifestyle Centre, Centurion | |
| FNB | Glen Shopping Centre | Shop U2, The Glen Shopping Centre, Glenvista | |
| FNB | Lynnwood | Shop L04 Upper-level, Cnr Simon Vermooten & Lynnwood Rd, Equestria, Pretoria | |
| FNB | Merchant Place | 4 Merchant Place, c/o Rivonia and Freedman Dr, Sandton | |
| Investec Bank | Sandown | 100 Grayston Dr, Sandown, Sandton | |
| Nedbank | Arcadia | Shop 25, Nedbank Plaza, Beatrix Street, Arcadia | |
| Nedbank | Constantia Kloof | 16 Constantia Boulevard, Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort | |
| Nedbank | Rivonia | 135 Rivonia Road, Sandown, Sandton | |
| Standard Bank | Centurion Lifestyle Centre | C/o Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Rd, Centurion Lifestyle Centre, Centurion | |
| Standard Bank | Jubilee Mall | Shop 47, Jubilee Mall, Cnr Jubilee and Harry Gwala Road, Temba, Hammanskraal | |
| Standard Bank | Killarney Mall | Killarney Mall, Riviera Rd, Killarney, Johannesburg | |
| Standard Bank | Simmonds Street | 5 Simmonds St, Selby, Johannesburg | |
| Western Cape (5) | Absa | Stellenbosch | Oude Bloemhof Building, Cnr Plein And Ryneveld Streets, Stellenbosch |
| FNB | Greenpoint | Shop 1 & 2, Media Quarter, Somerset Road, Greenpoint | |
| Nedbank | St George’s Mall | Shop 3 The Box, St Georges Mall, c/o Riebeeck Street, Cape Town | |
| Standard Bank | Canal Walk | Shop 599, Upper Level, Canal Walk Shopping Center, Century Blvd, Century City | |
| Standard Bank | Mitchell’s Plain Promenade | Mitchell’s Plain Promenade, Cape Town | |
| KwaZulu-Natal (3) | FNB | Cornubia | Shop U56, Cornubia Boulevard, Cnr N2 Highway & M41, Durban |
| Nedbank | Durban North | 57 Adelaide Tambo Dr, Durban North, 4051 | |
| Standard Bank | Kingsmead | 1 Kingsmead Way, Durban | |
| Eastern Cape (2) | Absa | Port Elizabeth | 682 Cnr Bagshaw & Govan Mbeki Avenue, Gqeberha |
| Standard Bank | Newton Park | 1 Pickering St, Newton Park, Gqeberha | |
| Mpumalanga (1) | Nedbank | Nelspruit | Shop 65, The Crossing Shopping Centre, Cnr Samora Machel and Madiba Drive, Nelspruit |
| Limpopo (1) | FNB | Burgersfort | Shop 55, Twin City Complex, Dirk Winterbach Street, Burgersfort |
| Northern Cape (1) | Standard Bank | Kathu Mall | Shop 62, Village Walk Shopping Centre, Hendrik Van Eck Street, Postmasburg |
List has been updated and merged with – Top Bank Destinations for Your Smart ID
With the growing availability of eHome Affairs services, obtaining a new passport or smart ID is becoming more accessible, eliminating the need to endure the traditional Home Affairs experience.
For more information or to book an appointment, contact the relevant branch directly or Book and pay online through the e-home affairs website, take note paying online is only available for Absa, Discovery Bank, FNB, Investec, Nedbank, and Standard Bank if you bank with any other bank mainly, we advise to open an alternative account to make the online payment for ease of getting everything done online.
Related Content
