More bank branches where you can get your passport and Smart ID coming

South Africans will soon have access to a significantly more extensive network of bank branches where they can apply for Smart ID cards and renew their passports.

The Department of Home Affairs and the Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) have confirmed that the long-awaited Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement is nearing completion.

This expansion builds on the successful eHome Affairs pilot program launched in 2015, which introduced an efficient, digital alternative for South Africans to engage with Home Affairs services. 

The initiative allowed participating banks to service applications for Smart IDs and passports, streamlining a process traditionally plagued by long queues and frequent IT issues at Home Affairs offices.

The eHome Affairs system enables South Africans to book appointments online, submit their personal details, and make payments digitally before visiting a participating bank branch to have their biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs, captured. 

Once processed, applicants are notified that their documents are ready for collection at the same branch, eliminating unnecessary wait times and paperwork.

The pilot program quickly gained popularity in South Africa, with 30 bank branches currently offering these services. 

However, the lack of a formalised agreement between the banks and Home Affairs led to slow progress in expanding the service. 

Frustrated by delays, banks turned to BASA to negotiate with the department to finalise the PPP agreement.

According to BASA, the primary agreement has been completed, with discussions on implementation details ongoing through the Home Affairs committee structures.

Confirming the progress, Home Affairs spokesperson Duwayne Esau told BusinessTech that the agreement has been finalised but has not yet been signed as discussions with the banks regarding implementation details are ongoing.

“These details are important to ensure that our services become accessible in as many branches as possible,” Esau said. 

“Once we have reached the finality of this, we will communicate with the public. Home Affairs is eager to get this partnership expansion off the ground, as it will dramatically increase our footprint and enhance access for all South Africans.”

Big rollout plans

The imminent agreement is set to trigger a significant expansion in the number of bank branches offering Smart ID and passport services. 

Currently, 30 branches are operational, but the service’s footprint remains limited, with the supporting branches not being well dispersed.

Seventeen of the 30 bank branches are in Gauteng, the only province with branches from all six participating banks.

Although the province has the biggest population in South Africa, it accounts for far less than half the country’s residents. Additionally, two provinces don’t have any branches that support the service.

However, banks have earmarked at least 34 additional locations for eHome Affairs support. FNB alone plans to introduce 18 new branches, while Absa has 12 additional sites ready for service.  

Discovery Bank is also preparing to launch four new locations in Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban, with branches in Sea Point, Century City, Pretoria, and Umhlanga.

Nedbank intends to expand its involvement but has not yet confirmed the number of new branches.

Should these plans proceed as expected, the total number of participating bank branches will increase, growing from 30 to 64. 

However, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has indicated that this is only the beginning, with ambitious plans to see most bank branches offering Home Affairs services.

“This must become hundreds if not thousands of bank branches. I want every village, town, city, and suburb in South Africa to have access to Home Affairs services in a local bank branch,” Schreiber stated. 

“I believe this will reduce the pressure on our offices and alleviate the long queues. Not to mention greatly expanding our footprint.”