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Great news for South African citizens. The Department of Home Affairs has launched a new digital partnership with banks across the country to make Smart ID applications faster and more convenient.
The initiative was announced earlier this week, with the department stating that Smart ID applications will now be fully digital.
Previously, South Africans had to visit a Home Affairs office to apply for an ID. While the department has banks to assist with applications, the process still requires paperwork and the presence of a Home Affairs official.
With the new digital system in place, those requirements are being removed.
What does this mean for applicants?
The entire process will now be done digitally, eliminating the need for physical paperwork.
Another major improvement is that appointments will no longer be required. In the past, applicants had to book a slot before visiting a bank branch. Now, South Africans can simply walk into participating branches while doing their regular banking or shopping and complete their Smart ID application.
The Department revealed that the process will take between 5 and 10 minutes, saving applicants time.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber visited several participating bank branches earlier this week, including Capitec branches, to officially launch the new system. He described the initiative as a historic milestone in the Department’s efforts to modernise services.
The new digital ID services will initially be available at hundreds of branches across South Africa, including Capitec and Standard Bank.
The move forms part of the Department’s plan to introduce innovative solutions that make essential government services more accessible and efficient for all Africans.
The Department announced that it will also expand its service to include passport services through banking apps.
'As the system stabilises, throughout 2026, the Department and the range of services available through the Digital Partnership will not only be available to hundreds more bank branches, but we will also enable first-time Smart ID applications, passport services, courier delivery, and applications through banking apps. To ensure a responsible rollout, the Department banking partners will start small, test thoroughly, and stabilise the system before rapidly expanding the rollout across the country throughout this calendar year,' the Department said on the site.
So, South Africans can look forward to more digital services from the Department in the coming months.