In 2026, residents of Gauteng can collect Smart ID cards and passports at selected bank branches instead of visiting traditional Home Affairs offices. The option applies to applicants who completed their applications through the official online system and booked appointments at participating banks. The arrangement affects thousands of residents who rely on identity documents for travel, employment, education, and access to government services, particularly in Gauteng, where demand continues to exceed capacity at Home Affairs offices.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, bank-based collection remains part of its strategy to reduce congestion at public offices and expand access points for high-demand services.
ALSO READ: Book Your Home Affairs Appointment Online – Fast, Easy & Hassle-Free!
How Bank-Based Smart ID and Passport Collection Works
Applicants who wish to use a bank branch must first apply through the eHomeAffairs. During the application process, users select a participating bank branch for biometric capture and eventual document collection.
Once the application is processed and the document is ready, applicants are notified and must return to the same bank branch to collect their Smart ID card or passport.
Home Affairs says applicants cannot switch branches after submission, and walk-in collections are not permitted at banks.
Why Bank Branches Are Used in Gauteng
Gauteng has some of the busiest Home Affairs offices in the country. Bank branches provide an alternative collection point with controlled appointment systems and limited daily volumes.
According to the department, bank-based services remain appointment-only and are subject to availability, staffing, and system integration between Home Affairs and participating banks.
Banks Participating in Smart ID and Passport Services in Gauteng
As of 2026, the following banks operate Smart ID and passport services at selected Gauteng branches. Availability is subject to booking confirmation on the official system.
Absa Bank Branches
- Absa Centurion Lifestyle Centre
Centurion Lifestyle Centre, Centurion - Absa Towers Johannesburg
Corner Commissioner and Troye Streets, Johannesburg - Absa Key West
Key West Shopping Centre, Krugersdorp - Absa Sandton
Corner Rivonia Road and 5th Street, Sandton
Discovery Bank
- Discovery Bank Head Office
Discovery Place, Sandton
First National Bank (FNB)
- FNB Centurion Lifestyle Centre
Centurion - FNB Lynnwood
Equestria, Pretoria - FNB Merchant Place
Sandton - FNB Glen Shopping Centre
Glenvista - FNB Krugersdorp President Square
Krugersdorp
Investec Bank
- Investec Sandown
Grayston Drive, Sandton
Nedbank
- Nedbank Arcadia
Pretoria - Nedbank Constantia Kloof
Roodepoort - Nedbank Lakeview Office Park
Roodepoort - Nedbank Rivonia
Sandton
Standard Bank
- Standard Bank Centurion Lifestyle Centre
Centurion - Standard Bank Killarney Mall
Johannesburg - Standard Bank Simmonds Street
Johannesburg - Standard Bank Jubilee Mall
Hammanskraal
Home Affairs notes that some branches may appear on the booking platform even if they are not listed on its official public rollout documents, as capacity and pilot participation differ by bank.
Expansion of Bank-Based Services in 2026
Home Affairs confirmed that bank-based Smart ID and passport services are still operating under an expanded pilot model introduced in 2025. According to the department, a newer system introduced in late 2025 allows faster onboarding of banks and improved integration with Home Affairs systems.
The department says the updated system enables:
- Live biometric capture
- Improved data integration with the National Population Register
- Reduced reliance on split bank staffing models
Several banks, including Capitec, TymeBank, and African Bank, are expected to process Smart ID and passport applications for the first time under the new system.
Home Affairs aims to expand bank-based services to 1,000 branches nationally by 2029, with at least 100 new branches targeted by the end of the 2025/26 financial year.
Smart ID Access for Naturalised Citizens and Permanent Residents
As part of its broader Smart ID rollout, Home Affairs confirmed that naturalised citizens and permanent residents can apply for Smart ID cards through Live Capture offices, bank branches, and the eHomeAffairs portal.
However, the current phase applies only to applicants from visa-exempt countries. According to the department, all applicants undergo verification against the National Population Register, and permanent residence status is checked during the process.
Applicants who do not verify successfully may be accommodated in later rollout phases.
Fees and Age Requirements
The application fee for a Smart ID card is R140. Applicants aged 60 and older are exempt from payment.
Children may apply for their first Smart ID card from the age of 16. Applications for minors must still follow the online booking and verification process.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
For Gauteng residents, bank-based collection offers an alternative to overcrowded Home Affairs offices, but access remains limited. Appointment availability varies widely, and not all banks participate in the programme.
Residents without online access or the flexibility to book appointments may still rely on Home Affairs offices, where waiting times remain unpredictable.
The system improves the distribution of services but does not eliminate access challenges in high-demand urban areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk into a bank to collect my Smart ID or passport?
No. Bank collections are strictly appointment-based.
Can I change my bank branch after applying?
No. Documents must be collected at the branch selected during the application.
Are all banks offering the service?
No. Only participating branches appear on the official booking system.
Do banks process applications faster than Home Affairs offices?
Processing times depend on system capacity, not location.
Is the green ID book still valid?
Yes. However, Home Affairs plans to phase it out later in the decade.
What Happens Next
The Department of Home Affairs says it will continue expanding bank-based Smart ID and passport services as system integration improves. Further announcements on branch additions and service eligibility are expected through official government channels as rollout targets progress.
