Cape Town – South Africa’s banks have become key players in one of the most significant public service reforms in recent history, as the Department of Home Affairs officially launched its Digital Partnership Model with the banking sector.
Capitec Bank and Standard Bank are the first financial institutions to offer fully digital Smart ID services to customers at selected branches, marking a major shift in how South Africans access identity services.
Instead of travelling to one of the country’s 349 Home Affairs offices and waiting in long queues, applicants can now complete a Smart ID application within minutes at participating bank branches.
The initiative connects banks directly to Home Affairs’ systems via a secure Digital Gateway, eliminating paperwork and the need for online bookings.
Inside the first 17 branches being activated this week, clients can complete their applications in five to ten minutes.
“By embracing digital transformation, we are redefining what public service delivery looks like in the modern age,” said Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber.
“We are using technological security and efficiency to bring Home Affairs to the people, delivering access, inclusion and dignity for all.”
The beginning of the end for Home Affairs queues is here, as we roll out our new digital partnership to 100s of bank branches across the country. No appointments, no paperwork, no delays – just 5-10 minutes to apply! 🇿🇦
More information here: https://t.co/3bZoCCkZgb pic.twitter.com/vCRVxhKkIw
— Leon Schreiber (@Leon_Schreib) March 10, 2026
The rollout focuses initially on converting holders of green ID books and issuing re-issues of existing Smart IDs. Approximately 16 million South Africans still rely on the green ID book, which is widely targeted for identity fraud. The banks’ involvement allows the transition to Smart IDs to happen on a large scale while improving security and convenience for citizens.
Under the new system, bank staff will assist customers with applications, but all processes are completed digitally. “Instead of forcing people to go to Home Affairs to endure long queues and manual processes, we are decentralising service points and dramatically expanding access across the country,” Schreiber added.
Capitec Bank’s first branches went live on Monday in Orange Farm, Howick, Swellendam, Sandton City, Kathu, Matoks, Hermanus, with additional locations scheduled to launch later this week, including Pietermaritzburg, Tygervalley, Stellenbosch, Vredenburg, and the Cape Town V&A.
Standard Bank branches in Soweto’s Maponya Mall and Rosebank are already live, with Westgate Mall and Parow joining on Thursday, 12 March.
First National Bank and other banking partners are in advanced testing phases, with plans to expand the service to hundreds more branches throughout 2026.
The Department aims to scale the model to 1,000 bank branches by 2029, creating a nationwide network of accessible, secure, and efficient Smart ID service points.
“This initiative represents a major step change in the Department’s ongoing reform programme, Home Affairs @ home, which embraces digital transformation to remake how South Africans access identity and civic services,” the Department said in a statement.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
