The Department of Home Affairs, which recently launched the eHomeAffairs portal at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, has announced the bank branches in which citizens can apply for Smart ID Cards and passports online.
The new online system provides for South Africans to apply for these documents from the comfort of their homes or offices. People can apply and pay online and then go to their selected bank to have their photo taken and their fingerprints verified.
The initiative is said to assist in reducing long queues at Home Affairs offices while accelerating the replacement of the green barcoded ID books with Smart ID Cards.
“As Home Affairs, we really want to thank the banks for this initiative, and we truly appreciate the partnership we have. In addition, we have established a steering committee to continually monitor the implementation and performance of the system,” said the department’s director-general, Mkuseli Apleni.
The platform is currently open to the targeted age group of 30- to 35-year-olds.
“Our monitoring shows there is a sizeable interest shown even by other age groups. Our appeal is for more 30 to 35 citizens to seize the moment, and apply. Others will follow in due course, including the holders of permanent residence permits as well as those that have been naturalised,” said Apleni.
The list of bank branches are:
- ABSA: Centurion Lifestyle Centre, ABSA Towers in Johannesburg and Ghandi Square in Marshall Town, Johannesburg.
- FNB: Menlyn in Pretoria, Merchant Place in Rivonia and Centurion Lifestyle Centre.
- Standard Bank: Standard Bank Building in Centurion, Standard Bank in Rosebank, Canal Walk in Cape Town.
- Nedbank: Rivonia, Johannesburg and Lakeview in Roodepoort.
Details: Home Affairs toll-free number: 0800 60 11 90.Menlyn in Pretoria, Merchant Pla
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