How to survive a trip to Home Affairs
Don’t bother with the online application as it does not save you much waiting time.
HERE’S a bit of advice to anyone having to visit Home Affairs. Don’t bother with the online application as it does not save you much waiting time. You queue outside with everyone applying for smart IDs and passports. I got there at 4:30am and was number 75 in the line. By 7am they have already given out the 300 tickets. (They usually only see 300 per day.)
Read also – Home Affairs says no cut-off date for green barcoded IDs
The door patrols go out before 6am and record names and ID numbers of every applicant in the line. The tickets are only given to those recorded in their book to prevent people from cutting line.
You go inside in batches of about 20. No ticket means no entry. So don’t bother buying a spot from those shady guys. You get a new number inside at the meet/greet desk that your application is linked to.
Read also – Prestondale resident shocked by Home Affairs bungle
As soon as you get a new number inside you go to cashiers to pay (carry cash, card machines are always offline). Hardly ever a line at the cashiers.
You then follow a queue for fingerprints/photobooth. This was the longest line for me – about two hours. Next queue is to capture your application (you will save about five minutes at this step if you did it online – so it’s really not worth it).
You might also be interested in – Home Affairs sets record straight on DNA testing claims
They then give you a submission receipt and you wait for your sms to collect. We got there at 4:30am and left at 11:30am. One week later I received a sms stating that both minor’s passports were ready for collection. Took just a week.
Chantal Dewolf
Durban North
For more news follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follows us Instagram
