South Africans applying for a new passport have every reason to celebrate. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has announced major upgrades that will make getting a passport faster, easier, and more convenient. A new public-private partnership with South Africa’s leading banks promises to revolutionise the eHomeAffairs system by expanding passport and Smart ID services to over 180 bank branches nationwide by March 2026.
- A New Era for the eHomeAffairs System
- Why the Previous Model Stalled
- Banks Leading the Expansion Drive
- Bank Branches Offering Passport and Smart ID Services
- How South Africans Can Benefit
- Improved Access and Reduced Waiting Times
- Minister Leon Schreiber’s Digital Vision
- South Africa’s Passport Ranking Is Improving
- Security and Anti-Fraud Measures Strengthened
- The Role of Technology in Passport Applications
- Regional Access: Gauteng Leads the Way
- How to Apply for a Passport via eHomeAffairs
- What to Expect by 2026
- A Milestone for Digital Government in South Africa
This development means shorter queues, more access points, and a smoother digital process for thousands of South Africans applying for a new passport each month.
A New Era for the eHomeAffairs System
The eHomeAffairs programme, introduced in 2016, has transformed how South Africans access vital government services. Initially, citizens could book appointments and apply for passports or Smart IDs online before finalising the process at selected bank branches. However, by 2023, the service had stalled at 30 participating branches.
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The new partnership model will revive and expand this system, increasing the number of participating bank branches fivefold by March 2026.
“With this new system, South Africans should expect at least 153 more bank branches where they can get passports and Smart ID cards by March 2026,” said Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
Why the Previous Model Stalled
The earlier system required the Department of Home Affairs to staff and equip each participating bank branch. This model proved costly and inefficient. It also caused delays in expansion, leaving only 30 operational branches across South Africa.
The new partnership model fixes this by allowing banks to use their own employees and infrastructure while the DHA oversees security and compliance. This collaboration ensures faster rollout and greater sustainability.
Banks Leading the Expansion Drive
Eight major South African banks have joined the new digital partnership model: Absa, African Bank, Capitec, Discovery Bank, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, and TymeBank. Each bank has committed to extending passport and Smart ID services to more of their branches nationwide.
- Standard Bank plans to expand from 9 to 29 branches by March 2026.
- FNB will grow from 7 to 22 branches by March 2026 and targets 240 branches by July 2026.
- Absa aims to grow from 6 to 19 branches in the short term.
- Nedbank will test its systems before scaling up to 26 branches by August 2026.
- Capitec, a new entrant, plans to roll out services at 100 branches by March 2026.
- African Bank will introduce services at five branches, while Discovery Bank and Investec plan future expansions.
This initiative will make it easier for citizens to apply for travel documents without visiting crowded Home Affairs offices.
Bank Branches Offering Passport and Smart ID Services
| Bank | Branch | Address | Contact | Expansion Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Bank | Canal Walk | Shop 599, Upper Level, Canal Walk Shopping Center, Century Blvd, Century City | 021 529 8216 | +20 branches by Mar 2026 |
| Centurion | Cnr Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Rd, Centurion Lifestyle Centre | 012 671 4042 | ||
| Jubilee Mall | Shop 47 Jubilee Mall, Corner Jubilee and Harry Gwala Rd, Temba Hammanskraal | 011 351 7814 | ||
| Kathu Mall | Shop 62 Village Walk Shopping Centre, Kathu | 053 723 9610 | ||
| Killarney Mall | Riviera Rd, Killarney, Johannesburg | 011 486 0002 | ||
| Kingsmead | 1 Kingsmead Way, Durban | 031 308 7900 | ||
| Mitchell’s Plain Promenade | Corner AZ Berman Rd and Morgenster Rd, Mitchell’s Plain | 0860 123 000 | ||
| Newton Park | 1 Pickering St, Newton Park, Port Elizabeth | 041 404 8319 | ||
| Simmonds Street | 5 Simmonds St, Selby, Johannesburg | 011 631 1624 / 011 639 4205 | ||
| FNB | Burgersfort | Shop 55 Twin City Complex, Dirk Winterbach St, Burgersfort | 072 457 8619 / 013 216 0098 | +15 branches by Mar 2026 |
| Centurion Lifestyle | Cnr Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Rd, Centurion | 066 460 0530 / 012 653 2661 | ||
| Cornubia | Shop U56, Cornubia Blvd, Cnr N2 & M41, Durban | 031 308 7900 | ||
| Glen Shopping Centre | Shop U2, The Glen Shopping Centre, Glenvista | 061 495 4441 | ||
| Greenpoint | Shop 1 & 2, Media Quarter, Somerset Rd, Greenpoint | 087 345 6090 | ||
| Lynnwood | Shop L04 Upper-Level, Cnr Simon Vermooten & Lynnwood Rd, Pretoria | 066 460 0130 | ||
| Merchant Place | 4 Merchant Place, Rivonia & Freedman Dr, Sandton | 066 290 3307 | ||
| Nedbank | Arcadia | Shop 25, Nedbank Plaza, Beatrix St, Arcadia | 066 460 0122 | No new branches by Mar 2026 |
| Constantia Kloof | 16 Constantia Blvd, Roodepoort | 011 639 4208 | ||
| Durban North | 57 Adelaide Tambo Dr, Durban North | 0800 555 111 | ||
| Nelspruit | Shop 65 The Crossing Shopping Centre, Nelspruit | 081 336 5941 | ||
| Rivonia | 135 Rivonia Rd, Sandton | 066 290 3257 | ||
| St Georges Mall | Shop 3, The Box, St Georges Mall, Cape Town | 0800 555 111 | ||
| Absa | Centurion Lifestyle Centre | Shop 36, Cnr Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Rd, Centurion | 066 460 0356 | +13 branches by Mar 2026 |
| Key West Krugersdorp | Shop 80 Key West Shopping Centre, Krugersdorp | 079 900 6457 | ||
| Port Elizabeth | 682 Cnr Bagshaw & Govan Mbeki Ave, Port Elizabeth | 041 404 8319 | ||
| Sandton City | Cnr Rivonia Rd and 5th St, Sandton | 066 290 3314 | ||
| Stellenbosch | Oude Bloemhof Building, Cnr Plein & Ryneveld Sts, Stellenbosch | 021 809 2311 | ||
| Absa Towers | Cnr Commissioner & Troye Sts, Johannesburg | 011 350 4111 | ||
| Discovery Bank | Head Office | 1 Discovery Place, Rivonia & Katherine St, Sandton | 0860 998 877 | Expansion plans TBC |
| Investec | Sandown | 100 Grayston Dr, Sandown, Sandton | 011 286 7000 | Expansion plans TBC |
| Capitec | – | – | – | 100 branches planned by Mar 2026 |
| African Bank | – | – | – | 5 branches planned by Mar 2026 |
Find detailed locations and contact information in our full List of 30 Bank Branches for Smart IDs and Passports.
How South Africans Can Benefit
For South Africans applying for a new passport, the benefits are substantial. Applicants can now choose from a growing list of bank branches that provide secure, convenient, and digitally enabled services.
These branches are equipped with biometric capture systems, allowing applicants to submit fingerprints, photos, and signatures seamlessly. The integration of banking and government services reduces the waiting time significantly.
Improved Access and Reduced Waiting Times
The expansion will provide citizens with more locations across urban and suburban areas. This means fewer long trips to central Home Affairs offices and reduced waiting times.
“The expansion of these services into bank branches makes applying for passports and IDs far more convenient for South Africans,” reported TopAuto.
Applicants can now book appointments through the eHomeAffairs portal and choose a participating bank branch for their biometric verification and document collection.
Minister Leon Schreiber’s Digital Vision
Minister Leon Schreiber has been vocal about modernising Home Affairs through digital transformation. His department’s five-year plan (2024–2029) focuses on creating a fully digital, fraud-resistant, and citizen-friendly system.
“By fully digitalising and closing off to fraud and manipulation the process to obtain enabling documents – including passports – we will significantly enhance the integrity of our documents,” said Schreiber in a government statement.
This approach aligns with South Africa’s broader goal of becoming a digital-first government by 2030.
South Africa’s Passport Ranking Is Improving
In January 2025, the Henley Passport Index ranked the South African passport 48th globally, a notable improvement from 53rd the previous year. The DHA attributes this rise to enhanced document integrity and digital innovation.
A stronger passport means improved international credibility and easier travel for South African citizens.
Security and Anti-Fraud Measures Strengthened
Security is central to this expansion. New passport stamps and biometric verification processes have been introduced to combat forgery and corruption. The DHA and Government Printing Works collaborated to design secure stamps and documents that are harder to counterfeit.
“We designed the new stamps with the highest security standards to prevent tampering and forgery,” said Michael Masiapato, Commissioner of the Border Management Authority, in an interview.
These efforts ensure that passports issued under the new system are not only convenient to obtain but also secure and trusted internationally.
The Role of Technology in Passport Applications
The use of online booking systems, digital databases, and biometric technology underpins the new Home Affairs strategy. The eHomeAffairs platform allows applicants to complete most steps online, saving time and reducing in-person interactions.
As more bank branches become service points, South Africans applying for a new passport can enjoy a smoother, faster, and more transparent process.
Regional Access: Gauteng Leads the Way
Gauteng remains at the centre of this rollout, hosting several key bank branches offering Smart ID and passport services. Standard Bank branches in Centurion, Killarney, and Canal Walk, as well as FNB’s Merchant Place and Greenpoint branches, are among the most active sites.
As more branches come online, Gauteng residents will benefit from shorter travel distances and faster turnaround times for document collection.
How to Apply for a Passport via eHomeAffairs
- Visit the eHomeAffairs portal.
- Register or log in to your account.
- Complete the online passport application form.
- Make the payment electronically.
- Book an appointment at your chosen bank branch.
- Visit the branch for biometric verification and document capture.
- Wait for an SMS notification to collect your passport.
This process typically takes 10 to 15 working days, depending on demand and branch capacity.
What to Expect by 2026
By March 2026, South Africans will be able to apply for passports and Smart IDs at over 180 bank branches. This will represent the largest decentralisation of Home Affairs services in the country’s history.
The department aims to expand to 500 branches nationwide by 2028, bringing essential services closer to every community.
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A Milestone for Digital Government in South Africa
The expansion of the eHomeAffairs partnership marks a new chapter for South Africans applying for a new passport. With digital innovation, improved access, and stronger security, the passport process will be faster, fairer, and more efficient.
This initiative demonstrates how the government and the private sector can work together to improve everyday life for citizens.
As Minister Leon Schreiber put it:
“The digitalisation of Home Affairs is not just about technology – it’s about restoring trust, improving service delivery, and giving every South African the dignity of efficient public service.”
