Home Affairs expands digital banking partnership
Official source
Source domain: sanews.gov.za
Collected on 23 July 2026
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Use the bank-based Home Affairs mobile unit for Smart ID services (launch in Tembisa)
A bank-based Home Affairs mobile unit has been launched to bring secure Smart ID services directly to remote, peri-urban, and previously underserved communities, starting in Tembisa.
- Who it is for
- People in remote, peri-urban, and previously underserved communities (starting in Tembisa)
- How to act on it
- Access Smart ID services through the bank-based Home Affairs mobile unit launched in Tembisa.
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Absa becomes the fourth banking partner to join the Department's Digital Partnership, with the new mobile unit set to bring secure Smart ID services directly to remote, peri-urban, and previously underserved communities.
Apply for adult and minor passports and first-time Smart ID Cards via the Digital Partnership (planned before end of the year)
Before the end of the year, the Digital Partnership is planned to be expanded to include applications for adult and minor passports and first-time Smart ID Card applications.
- Who it is for
- South Africans who need adult or minor passport applications and first-time Smart ID Card applications
- How to act on it
- Apply through the expanded Digital Partnership channels at participating locations once the planned expansion is implemented.
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Schreiber added that the Digital Partnership will also be expanded before the end of the year to include applications for adult and minor passports, first-time Smart ID Cards applications and, in the next major milestone, home delivery of identity documents directly to citizens' homes.
Apply for a Smart ID Card at participating bank branches (Digital Partnership with Absa)
The Department of Home Affairs has expanded its Digital Partnership with Absa, increasing the number of locations where South Africans can apply for a Smart ID Card. Smart ID services are available at participating bank branches, and the article reports that access is also available when combined with modernised Home Affairs offices.
- Who it is for
- South Africans who want to apply for a Smart ID Card
- How to act on it
- Use participating bank branches (and/or modernised Home Affairs offices) to access Smart ID services and apply for a Smart ID Card.
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The launch builds on the rapid expansion of the Digital Partnership, which went live on 9 March 2026.
Home delivery of identity documents (next major milestone)
As the next major milestone, the article says home delivery of identity documents will be expanded directly to citizens' homes.
- Who it is for
- Citizens who need identity documents delivered to their homes
- How to act on it
- Use the home delivery service once it is introduced as the next major milestone.
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Schreiber added that the Digital Partnership will also be expanded before the end of the year to include applications for adult and minor passports, first-time Smart ID Cards applications and, in the next major milestone, home delivery of identity documents directly to citizens' homes.
Facts
Reference
GOVNEWS-83018 at https://www.sanews.gov.za
Key Takeaways
- Department of Home Affairs expands Digital Partnership with Absa
- Absa becomes fourth banking partner
- Launch of first bank-based Home Affairs mobile unit
- Launch location: Tembisa
- Partnership went live: 9 March 2026
- By 4.5 months: 327 participating bank branches
- Modernised Home Affairs offices: 214
- Total Smart ID access locations: 541 (327 bank branches + 214 offices)
- Planned by end of year: ~750 participating bank branches
- Planned total access locations: ~1 000 for Smart ID Card applications
- Planned service expansion before end of year: adult and minor passport applications and first-time Smart ID Card applications
- Next milestone: home delivery of identity documents
- Minister: Dr Leon Schreiber
- Department of Home Affairs
- Absa
- Dr Leon Schreiber
- Tembisa
- SAnews
- SAnews.gov.za
- Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
Dates
Opening Date
22 July 2026
Closing Date
9 March 2026