Bad news about getting smart ID cards and passports at banks

Bad news about getting smart ID cards and passports at banks

Bad news about getting smart ID cards and passports at banks continues to frustrate South Africans, as plans to expand these services through local bank branches remain stalled. While the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has promised increased access, long-standing delays in finalising crucial agreements mean little progress has been made.

eHomeAffairs expansion stalls despite promises

The eHomeAffairs expansion, aimed at rolling out smart ID card and passport services to 100 bank branches by March 2026, is part of the DHA’s 2024/25 annual performance and 2025/26 strategic plans. However, the necessary public-private partnership (PPP) agreements enabling this expansion have still not been signed off.

Since its launch in 2016 as a pilot project, the bank-based smart ID and passport application system has received widespread praise for its speed, efficiency, and digital approach. Citizens can use the eHomeAffairs website to complete application forms, upload documents, book appointments, and even make payments online.

Yet, the number of participating bank branches has remained stuck at around 30 nationwide for years. Of those, half are concentrated in Gauteng, with two provinces lacking any support altogether. That’s despite Gauteng accounting for only about a quarter of the population.

Smart ID card delays due to unfinished partnerships

The key reason behind this stagnation is the lack of finalised agreements between banks and Home Affairs. These Home Affairs partnerships are necessary to expand the project to more branches, but legal and operational hurdles continue to slow progress.

According to the Banking Association of South Africa (Basa), which was brought in to mediate between the banks and DHA, the partnership agreements have been finalised and submitted to the department. But Home Affairs has not responded to repeated media queries about their status, casting doubt on any near-term rollout.

This delay is contributing to smart ID card delays and growing frustration among South Africans, many of whom are under pressure to switch from green barcoded ID books to smart ID cards.

Why banks are hesitant to expand services

Even though banks provide the physical infrastructure—space, security, and systems—the ID and passport service is still entirely operated by DHA personnel. Despite this, customers often blame the banks when service issues arise.

Banks view the current arrangement as high-risk with low reward. Until the Home Affairs partnerships are signed and legally clear, most banks are unwilling to expand the service to additional locations.

Furthermore, branches already supporting eHomeAffairs are under severe pressure due to high demand. Booking slots are scarce, and passport applications at banks have become increasingly difficult to schedule. Without a clear expansion plan, the backlog is expected to worsen.

Mixed messages from banks and government

There’s a clear disconnect between the optimistic language used by Home Affairs and the reality on the ground reported by banks.

• Standard Bank says negotiations are ongoing and no final details have been confirmed.

• FNB claims agreements are in “final legal stages”—a status unchanged since early 2025. FNB has identified 25 branches where the service could be added once the deal is done.

• Absa has confirmed its interest in expanding the service but won’t comment until negotiations are complete.

• Investec also plans to open two new smart ID/passport service points in Cape Town and Durban, pending final approvals.

In contrast, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber insists that the expansion is imminent, but no concrete action or timeline has been shared.

Ambitious targets versus current reality

The DHA has set a goal to increase supported branches from 30 to 100 before March 2026—an ambitious target requiring 70 new sites in just over eight months. But with no signed agreements, limited cooperation from banks, and a lack of transparency, that target seems increasingly unrealistic.

The delay not only affects efficiency but risks damaging public trust in a system that was once hailed as a smart digital solution.

What needs to happen next

To resolve the situation, the following must happen:

1. Finalise public-private agreements between DHA and the banks to unlock expansion.

2. Clarify responsibilities between banks and Home Affairs to reduce reputational risk.

3. Improve communication from the department about project timelines and rollout strategy.

4. Allocate funding for additional live capture equipment in bank branches.

5. Equitably distribute new service points across all provinces, especially rural and underserved areas.

Conclusion: Frustration grows amid stalled rollout

In summary, there is bad news about getting smart ID cards and passports at banks, as hopeful announcements from Home Affairs have yet to be backed by tangible progress. South Africans trying to update their documentation through eHomeAffairs are left with few options, long waits, and limited access.

Until key Home Affairs partnerships are finalised, the eHomeAffairs expansion will remain a dream rather than a deliverable—and smart ID card delays will continue to frustrate millions of citizens needing efficient access to essential services.

Here are five mainstream South African media references that have covered issues related to smart ID cards

1. News24
   Title: Home Affairs ID services in banks hit by long delays – here’s what’s going on
   Link: https://www.news24.com/fin24/economy/home-affairs-id-services-in-banks-hit-by-long-delays-heres-whats-going-on-20240715

2. BusinessTech
   Title: Bad news for getting your ID and passport at South African banks
   Link: https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/808432/bad-news-for-getting-your-id-and-passport-at-south-african-banks/

3. MyBroadband
   Title: Smart ID and passport service at banks hits major roadblock
   Link: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/government/552985-smart-id-and-passport-service-at-banks-hits-major-roadblock.html

4. TimesLIVE
   Title: Home Affairs under pressure as green ID book phaseout stalls
   Link: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2025-06-30-home-affairs-under-pressure-as-green-id-book-phaseout-stalls/

5. IOL (Independent Online)
   Title: Why it’s still hard to get a smart ID at a bank near you
   Link: https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/why-its-still-hard-to-get-a-smart-id-at-a-bank-near-you-6520f2b1-8731-44c4-9bcd-cf9b5c65c54b