The Department of Home Affairs has officially launched its new digital partnership with banks that will allow South Africans to apply for Smart ID cards directly at participating bank branches, marking a major step in the department’s digital reform programme.
The initiative officially entered its live operational phase on Sunday, 8 March, as part of the department’s Home Affairs @ Home programme, which aims to modernise identity and civic services through secure digital platforms.
Under the new system, applicants can complete a Smart ID application at selected bank branches in as little as five to ten minutes. The process is handled through integrated digital systems that connect banks directly to Home Affairs, removing the need for paper forms or prior bookings.
The department says the model will allow people to access services closer to where they live, rather than travelling to one of the country’s 349 Home Affairs offices, where long queues have historically been a challenge.
Nine bank branches began offering the service on Sunday, with the number expected to increase to 17 by the end of the week. The first participating institutions include Capitec Bank and Standard Bank, while First National Bank is currently in the final phase of testing its systems.
Officials say the new model replaces the previous arrangement where small Home Affairs offices were hosted inside some bank branches and clients had to complete applications online through the eHomeAffairs platform before visiting the branch primarily for biometric capture.
Under the updated system, applications are processed entirely within the banks’ own service environments through a secure API-based digital gateway linked to the department’s systems.
Initially, the service will allow South African citizens, qualifying naturalised citizens and permanent residents who still hold the green ID book to convert to the Smart ID card. Existing Smart ID holders will also be able to apply for re-issues.
According to the department, about 16 million South Africans still use the green ID book, which has been widely identified as one of the most commonly defrauded identity documents on the continent. Accelerating the transition to Smart IDs is seen as a key step in strengthening the country’s identity system and reducing fraud.
The department plans to gradually expand services offered through the banking partnership during 2026. Future phases are expected to include first-time Smart ID applications, passport services, courier delivery of documents and the ability to apply through banking apps.
The rollout will take place in phases to ensure system stability, with additional bank branches expected to join the programme throughout the year.
Government has set a target of expanding the digital partnership to around 1,000 bank branches across South Africa by 2029 as part of its Medium-Term Development Plan.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the launch marks a major milestone in the department’s reform efforts.
“By embracing digital transformation, we are redefining what public service delivery looks like in the modern age,” Schreiber said.
“Instead of forcing people to go to Home Affairs to endure long queues and manual processes, we are using technological security and efficiency to bring Home Affairs to the people, delivering access, inclusion and dignity for all.”
The first participating branches include several Capitec outlets such as Eyethu Mall in Orange Farm, Howick, Swellendam, Sandton City, Kathu Village Mall, Matoks, Hermanus and Fountains Mall in Jeffreys Bay, as well as selected Standard Bank branches, including Maponya Mall in Soweto and Rosebank.
As of 9 March 2026, citizens can visit the following bank branches that have launched or will launch later this week:
Capitec
Orange Farm, Eyethu Mall (Live)
Howick (Live)
Swellendam (Live)
Sandton City (Live)
Kathu Village Mall (Live)
Matoks (Live)
Hermanus (Live)
Jeffreys Bay, Fountains Mall (Friday)
Pietermaritzburg (Friday, 13 March)
Tygervalley (Friday, 13 March)
Stellenbosch (Friday, 13 March)
Vredenburg (Friday, 13 March)
Cape Town V&A (Friday, 13 March)
Standard Bank
Soweto, Maponya Mall (Live)
Rosebank (Live)
Westgate Mall (Thursday, 12 March)
Parow (Thursday, 12 March)
Additional branches will continuously be added to the list. To find a participating bank branch, and to be informed as more branches are activated, visit www.dha.gov.za/banks.
