All the Bank Branches Where You Can Get a Smart ID

Where South Africans Can Apply for a New Passport or Smart ID Without Visiting Home Affairs

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.

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

Bank Name	Branch Name	Location	Contact
Standard Bank (9)	Canal Walk	Shop 599, Upper Level, Canal Walk Shopping Center, Century Blvd, Century City	021 529 8216
	Centurion	Cnr Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Rd, Centurion Lifestyle Centre	012 671 4042
	Jubilee Mall	Shop 47, Jubilee Mall, Temba, Hammanskraal	011 351 7814
	Kathu Mall	Shop 62, Village Walk Shopping Centre, Kathu	053 723 9610
	Killarney Mall	Killarney Mall, 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 (7)	Burgersfort	Shop 55, Twin City Complex, Dirk Winterbach St	072 457 8619 / 013 216 0098
	Centurion Lifestyle Centre	Cnr Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Rd, Centurion Lifestyle Centre	066 460 0530 / 012 653 2661
	Cornubia	Shop U56, Cornubia Boulevard, Durban	031 308 7900
	Glen Shopping Centre	Shop U2, The Glen Shopping Centre, Glenvista	061 495 4441
	Greenpoint	Shop 1 & 2, Media Quarter, Somerset Road, Greenpoint	087 345 6090
	Lynwood	Shop L04, Cnr Simon Vermooten & Lynnwood Rd, Pretoria	066 460 0130
	Merchant Place	4 Merchant Place, Sandton	066 290 3307
Nedbank (6)	Arcadia	Shop 25, Nedbank Plaza, Beatrix Street, Arcadia	066 460 0122
	Constantia Kloof	16 Constantia Boulevard, 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, Sandown, Sandton	066 290 3257
	St George’s Mall	Shop 3, The Box, St George’s Mall, Cape Town	0800 555 111
Absa (6)	Centurion Lifestyle Centre	Shop 36, Cnr Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Road, Centurion	066 460 0356
	Key West Krugersdorp	Shop 80, Key West Shopping Centre	079 900 6457
	Port Elizabeth	682 Cnr Bagshaw & Govan Mbeki Ave	041 404 8319
	Sandton City	Cnr Rivonia Rd and 5th St, Sandton	066 290 3314
	Stellenbosch	Oude Bloemhof Building, Cnr Plein And Ryneveld Streets	021 809 2311
	Absa Towers	Cnr Commissioner and Troye Streets, Johannesburg	011 350 4111
Discovery Bank (1)	Discovery Bank Head Office	1 Discovery Place, Sandton	0860 998 877
Investec (1)	Investec Bank Sandown	100 Grayston Dr, Sandown, Sandton	011 286 7000

For more information or to book an appointment, contact the relevant branch directly. 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.

– BT