More Banks Join SA’s Passport Rollout — But Branch Details Still Under Wraps

More banks have joined the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) mission to offer Smart ID and passport services at hundreds of branches across the country — but South Africans remain in the dark about where to go when the expansion plan kicks-off this October. 

That's because branch lists remain a mystery, even as the rollout aims to jump from the 30 bank branches that currently offer Smart ID and passport services to 840 branches nationwide by 2027 and 1,000 by 2029. 

Here’s what we know so far…

Q: Which Banks Have Signed On?

A: New players include Capitec, Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank and Discovery Bank, joining existing partners like FNB and Investec.

What is the Timeline for the Expanded Rollout?

The nationwide expansion will roll out over the next 24 months, with the first additional branch services launching as early as October 2025. The full network is expected to be active by 2027, and the DHA aims to hit 1,000 branches by 2029.

What is the Overall Rollout Plan?

• October 2025: Initial launch at selected Capitec, Standard Bank and FNB branches.
• Early 2026: Capitec hits 100 branches; Standard Bank and FNB continue phased expansion.
• By 2029: DHA aims for 1,000 participating branches across all partner banks.

Which Bank Branches Will Offer the Service

That’s still the big question. No official branch lists have been published yet, and Home Affairs says details will only be confirmed later this year. For now, customers remain in the dark about which locations will go live first.

What’s the Plan for Each Bank?

Here’s what we know so far about the phased rollout at three of the participating banks:

 Capitec

• October 2025: Services launch at 10 selected branches.
• Early 2026: Expansion to 100 branches.
• Long Term: Plans to support 250–300 branches in total.

Standard Bank

• October 2025: Begins testing the service at additional branches.
• 2026: Aims to expand to 200–300 additional branches, prioritising areas with high client demand.

FNB

• Post-August 2025: Adds 15 branches to its existing seven, bringing the total to 22.
• July 2026 (Target): Aims to have 240 branches offering the service.
• Long Term: Intends to enable all branches for the service.

*Please note this is an initial plan and subject to change. Clients are advised to contact their bank for updated details.

Do You Need to be a Bank Client to Access the Services?

Yes — for now, only customers of the participating bank will be able to make appointments and apply for Smart IDs or passports at that bank’s branches. This requirement is intended to manage demand and ensure security.

Why the big change?

The partnership with major SA banks is designed to relieve pressure on Home Affairs offices and give South Africans more convenient access to Smart ID and passport services. Once fully rolled out, this will be one of the biggest public-private collaborations in the country.

What This Means for You

If you’re tired of standing in long queues at Home Affairs, this expansion could be a game-changer. But for now, patience is key — branch lists will only be revealed later this year, and you’ll need to be a client of the bank offering the service.

Top Tip: Keep your bank details updated and watch for announcements from your bank before October 2025 if you want to be first in line.