Quickest way to get a passport

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Spitfire77

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Hi,
A relative needs to apply for a passport but will require it as soon as possible. It's a new application not a renewal. What is the quickest way to get it?
Is Home Affairs more efficient or going through a bank?
Any idea how long does it take?

My previous experience at home affairs a few years back was 2 weeks to get the passport.
 
Home affairs should be faster, apply online then go to branch.

Bank you'll have to book an appointment, you might get lucky but generally it's a couple of weeks later.
Also the booking system for bank appointments is horrible.
 
IssiAmd said:
Home affairs should be faster, apply online then go to branch.

Bank you'll have to book an appointment, you might get lucky but generally it's a couple of weeks later.
Also the booking system for bank appointments is horrible.
Click to expand...

Edit: Mine came 2.5 days after doing biometrics at the bank
 
Spitfire77 said:
Hi,
A relative needs to apply for a passport but will require it as soon as possible. It's a new application not a renewal. What is the quickest way to get it?
Is Home Affairs more efficient or going through a bank?
Any idea how long does it take?

My previous experience at home affairs a few years back was 2 weeks to get the passport.
Click to expand...
The banks use the same system as Home Affairs, in fact the people doing the applications are home affairs employees so, I don't think it's going to make a difference. I'd go to the bank because it's less hassle.

Took them about a week to get my kids passports sorted in October at Absa.
 
bwana said:
The banks use the same system as Home Affairs, in fact the people doing the applications are home affairs employees so, I don't think it's going to make a difference. I'd go to the bank because it's less hassle.

Took them about a week to get my kids passports sorted in October at Absa.
Click to expand...
Are you sure you can do the first application for a passport at a Bank? We were told we have to do the first application through home affairs and we can do renewals at a bank. It might have been because my GF only had her green ID book though and not an ID card, so she had to go do biometrics, etc. first.
 
Wut said:
Are you sure you can do the first application for a passport at a Bank? We were told we have to do the first application through home affairs and we can do renewals at a bank. It might have been because my GF only had her green ID book though and not an ID card, so she had to go do biometrics, etc. first.
Click to expand...

Yes., pretty sure. He will soon find out if that’s not the case when he applies online.

Fwiw you don’t technically renew your passport here in sa. They’re all considered new applications, even if it is a distinction without a difference.
 
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So I did the whole online passport application through DHA site, paid everything. But now can't get an appointment set at the bank, even if I try for 2 months ahead. Someone mentioned that the banks don't take anymore appointments for December, just wondering if this is the case?
 
AlphaBravo said:
So I did the whole online passport application through DHA site, paid everything. But now can't get an appointment set at the bank, even if I try for 2 months ahead. Someone mentioned that the banks don't take anymore appointments for December, just wondering if this is the case?
Click to expand...
Chnage the booking to a DHA office. That is what I did, I was in a hurry. Got an apointment much faster than bank. DHA was pretty jacked as I went to the front of the queue as I had a booking.
 
bwana said:
Yes., pretty sure. He will soon find out if that’s not the case when he applies online.

Fwiw you don’t technically renew your passport here in sa. They’re all considered new applications, even if it is a distinction without a difference.
Click to expand...

Does this also apply to the Smart ID card? I currently have an old green ID book but no ID card. When I created an application on the Home Affairs website the only checkbox available under the Identity Card application tab is the "Re Issue" option.
 
Lefty309 said:
Does this also apply to the Smart ID card? I currently have an old green ID book but no ID card. When I created an application on the Home Affairs website the only checkbox available under the Identity Card application tab is the "Re Issue" option.
Click to expand...
So I applied for my ID card, and I think it's re-issue. But I seem to remember having an option for new. I say this as I remember the system was asking for my parent's details, where they were born and all that, as if it was my very first ID. I cancelled it, went back, did something, and after that it only asked for my details.
So I do think re-issue is the way to go.
But my memory is hazy, was perhaps 6-8 months ago.
 
AlphaBravo said:
So I did the whole online passport application through DHA site, paid everything. But now can't get an appointment set at the bank, even if I try for 2 months ahead. Someone mentioned that the banks don't take anymore appointments for December, just wondering if this is the case?
Click to expand...
Just for future people reading this thread:
The solution to this problem is to manually type in a date further in the future in the date range selector widget allows you to select with a mouse. To be clear the selection with a mouse only lets you go two weeks in the future.. if you type in a date manually you can go "see" appointment slots further than two weeks in the future. Works a charm.
 
In July 2023, for SA citizens you can apply and pay for a passport or id card on "ehomeaffairs" and only come in for taking fingerprints (biometrics). Even though the ehomeaffairs website states that "You can also finalize your application at any Home Affairs office; no appointment is required", at Stellenbosch home affairs, I was told to wait at the end of the bookings queue for my passport biometrics. They call out people by their number, so you will never move forward in the queue. I realized that I would never be attended to, so I went home to do the booking for 2 weeks' time. I would suggest booking an appointment online in addition to applying online. These are two separate websites.
 
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