More bank branches for smart IDs and passports next on Home Affairs list

Expanding smart ID and passport applications to hundreds of bank branches across South Africa is the next task to check off on the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA’s) list of priorities for 2025.

This is according to an X post from Minister Leon Schreiber, in which he updated the public on the progress of the priorities announced during the State of the Nation Address 2025 debate.

“I announced five annual priorities,” said Schreiber.

“These digital reforms are laying the foundation for us to do away with Green ID fraud, digitalise and automate visas and borders, and build a Digital ID platform to propel SA from laggard to world leader.”

He added that these priorities are on track for completion in 2025 and shared a checklist showing which priorities have been completed and which are still to come:

• Implement TTOS to drive group tourism — delivered in February 2025
• Smart IDs for naturalised citizens and permanent residents — delivered in May 2025
• Smart IDs and passports at hundreds more bank branches — loading
• Build electronic travel authorisation to digitalise tourist visas — loading
• Introduce courier delivery of smart IDs and passports — loading

It should be noted that, while the Department of Home Affairs DHA) has opened smart ID applications to naturalised citizens and permanent residents, access is still limited.

Therefore, the priority hasn’t been fully delivered yet.

On 11 May 2025, the DHA announced it would open smart ID applications to naturalised citizens and permanent residents on Monday, 12 May 2025.

However, it emphasised that the first phase would focus on individuals from visa-exempt countries. This means around 1.4 million of these individuals can apply for their smart ID card during the first phase.

“The Department of Home Affairs has this morning successfully launched its rollout of smart IDs for naturalised citizens and permanent residents from visa-exempt countries,” it said.

“Across the country, South African citizens and lawful permanent residents are now applying for the more secure Smart ID for the very first time.”

It urged naturalised citizens and permanent residence holders who aren’t from visa-exempt countries to wait before applying.

“The process is currently only focused on applicants who are in possession of a green barcoded ID and are from visa-exempt countries,” the DHA said.

“Once volumes reduce, applicants from non-exempt countries will also be assisted.”

Renew documents without leaving home

Another priority regarding smart ID and passport applications in 2025 is to enable the courier delivery of renewed documents, as part of the DHA’s plan to make these services available from the comfort of one’s home.

The DHA recently told MyBroadband that the application process for these documents will soon enable South Africans to apply for them without physically appearing at a bank branch or Home Affairs office.

Schreiber said expanding these services to more bank branches was a precursor to integrating them into banking apps.

“Our goal is to enable our services to be available virtually, including through banking apps, so that clients can access those services from the comfort of their own homes,” he stated.

“This is all part of the same process, as integrating Home Affairs services onto banking platforms in branches is the logical precursor to delivering those same services online and on apps.”

Earlier in 2025, Schreiber revealed that Home Affairs had struck an agreement with the Border Management Agency (BMA), Government Printing Works (GPW), and the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

He said the agreement would enable banks to integrate smart ID and passport services into their apps.

“The agreement marks a new era that will fundamentally reform and improve the way that government works in the Republic of South Africa,” his department said in a statement after his announcement.

“Regarding the agreement, the service ecosystem composed of Home Affairs, the BMA, and GPW will leverage world-class technology capacity within SARS to revolutionise all civic and immigration services.”