Big news for South Africans at home and abroad: the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is making it easier than ever to apply for or renew your Smart ID card South Africa and passport. By partnering with the country’s biggest banks, Home Affairs is rolling out services in branches across South Africa – and even enabling applications through banking apps. This is welcome news for South Africans living overseas. Instead of struggling with embassy delays, expats can now plan to renew their South African passport or apply for a Smart ID during a quick trip home.
Why expanding South African passport and Smart ID services matters
For years, queues and backlogs have plagued Home Affairs South Africa offices. By teaming up with banks, the department is tackling these bottlenecks head-on. The benefits include:
- Shorter waiting times – banks that do passports in South Africa are less crowded and run on appointment systems.
- Wider access – with more branches joining, there’s likely to be one close to where people live or work.
- Faster processing – many applicants say passport applications at banks are handled quicker than at DHA offices.
This is a major step towards more efficient service delivery – especially if you’re an expat trying to fit in a South African passport renewal mission on a short visit home.
Which banks now do Smart ID applications in South Africa?
Gone are the days of long queues at Home Affairs. Today, a growing number of banks let you handle Smart ID applications and passport services in South Africa without visiting a DHA office.
Several of the country’s major banks are partnering with the Department of Home Affairs to offer Smart ID and passport services at selected branches across South Africa.
- FNB: Started with 15 branches offering Smart ID and passport services, expanding to 240 branches within a year.
- Standard Bank: Rolling out in 20 branches this year, with a target of 300 branches by 2027.
- Capitec: Beginning with 10 branches, expanding to 100 in 2026 and 300 thereafter.
- Absa: Participating with branches in Johannesburg, Sandton, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and Krugersdorp.
- Nedbank: Offering services in Arcadia, Rivonia, Constantia Kloof, St George’s Mall (Cape Town), Newton Park (Port Elizabeth), and Kathu.
- Discovery Bank: Available at the Sandton branch.
- Investec: Services offered at Sandown branch in Sandton.
- African Bank: Recently joined the initiative, increasing branch availability nationwide.
These partnerships mean you can now walk into selected Smart ID banks to apply for or collect your documents.
How expats can apply for a Smart ID online in South Africa
If you’re visiting South Africa and need to renew your passport or get a Smart ID in South Africa, the process is easier than you might think. Here’s how it works:
- Start online – Log into the eHomeAffairs website or, if you bank with FNB or Capitec, begin your South African Smart ID application straight from the mobile banking app.
- Pick a branch – Choose a participating passport application bank in South Africa that’s convenient for you.
- Book your slot – Reserve a time for your biometrics, including fingerprints and photos.
- Visit the branch – Bring your documents, confirm your details, and complete the process.
- Collect your ID or passport – You’ll get an SMS when your South African Smart ID or passport is ready for collection.
For expats, this combination of online prep and in-branch verification means no more long queues at Home Affairs offices. It’s fast, simple, and makes Home Affairs South African passport services far more accessible during a short trip home.
South African Home Affairs passport renewal made easier
Expats have long faced challenges when it comes to South African passport renewal and Smart ID cards. Waiting times at embassies and consulates are notoriously long, with documents taking months to process.
With the new system, South Africans abroad can:
- Renew a passport at a bank in South Africa during a short trip home.
- Apply for a Smart ID online South Africa and finalise the process at a participating branch.
- Avoid the stress of waiting months for paperwork overseas.
The expansion also means you won’t have to travel far once you’re in the country – with more banks that do passports spreading across South Africa, access will be much less of a hassle.
The future of Smart ID application South Africa at banks
The DHA’s long-term goal is ambitious: by 2029, up to 1 000 bank branches in South Africa will offer Smart ID and passport services. That’s a significant leap from the current system, and it means almost every South African will have easier access to vital documents.
This isn’t just a convenience upgrade, it’s about ensuring everyone has fast access to the IDs and passports they need for work, travel, education, and financial inclusion.
Smart ID banks make life easier for expats
The Department of Home Affairs Smart ID and passport partnerships with FNB, Standard Bank and Capitec are transforming the way South Africans access these vital services. With more passport application banks in South Africa, applying has never been faster or more convenient.
For South Africans abroad, this means planning a Smart ID South Africa application or passport renewal during a short trip home is now easier than ever. Combine that with FinGlobal’s expertise in managing your finances across borders, and you’re set for a smoother expat journey.
FinGlobal: cross-border financial specialists
At FinGlobal, we understand that sorting out your Smart ID South Africa or passport renewal is just one part of life as an expat. We specialise in helping South Africans manage the financial side of emigration, including:
- Tax emigration and compliance with SARS
- Pension income and retirement annuity withdrawal
- International money transfers and exchange control
So while Home Affairs South Africa Smart ID and passport services are becoming easier thanks to banks, FinGlobal makes sure your cross-border finances are just as simple.
Relocating from South Africa? Let’s make your finances easier. Drop your details below, and we’ll get in touch to help you plan your next steps.