Currently, banks like Standard Bank, FNB, Absa, Nedbank, Investec, and Discovery Bank provide Home Affairs services at select branches.
Image: IOL
South African citizens could soon be able to apply for passports and smart ID cards through their banking apps, eliminating the need to visit Home Affairs offices or even bank branches. This potential leap forward was recently confirmed by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, following an inquiry by MyBroadband.
According to Schreiber, the department is actively working towards the goal of delivering core Home Affairs services virtually, with the integration into banking apps forming a key part of that vision.
“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,” Schreiber told MyBroadband.
He emphasised that the current rollout of Home Affairs services at selected bank branches is a vital step toward this future. “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,” he said.
If successful, the integration will mean South Africans can apply for essential documents such as passports and smart ID cards without the hassle of long queues or lengthy processing times at Home Affairs offices. Instead, they will be able to complete the entire process — from payment application and potentially even biometric verification — through their digital banking platforms.
While there's no confirmed launch date for the app-based services, progress is already visible on the ground. An increasing number of traditional bank branches across the country are offering passport and smart ID application services, making the transition to digital platforms feel all the more imminent.
Currently, banks like Standard Bank, FNB, Absa, Nedbank, Investec, and Discovery Bank provide Home Affairs services at select branches. Among the most popular locations are Standard Bank’s Canal Walk in Cape Town, FNB’s The Grove Mall in Pretoria, and Absa’s branch at Sandton City. In total, over 30 bank branches are already equipped to handle passport and ID applications.
The move to digital is part of a broader trend in South Africa’s public service delivery strategy, aimed at improving efficiency and accessibility while reducing administrative burdens. Citizens are optimistic, especially younger, tech-savvy users and those living in remote areas who currently face logistical challenges when visiting government offices.
Although the full integration into banking apps may still be months— or years—away, the Department of Home Affairs’ clear digital intent signals a future where obtaining essential documents could be as easy as opening your banking app.