You Can Now Apply for Your Smart ID and Passport on Capitec and FNB Banking Apps
In a first for South Africa, Home Affairs teams up with two major banks to let citizens complete ID and passport applications straight from their phones — and plans to take the service nationwide.
For decades, South Africans have dreaded the long lines, early-morning arrivals, and endless paperwork at Home Affairs offices. But that era may finally be drawing to a close.
On Monday, 11 August 2025, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced a groundbreaking partnership with Capitec Bank and First National Bank (FNB) that will allow South Africans to apply for smart ID cards and passports directly through their banking apps.
This marks the first time that full ID and passport applications will be available on mobile banking platforms — a major leap forward in the department’s vision to modernise its services and bring them to every corner of the country.
From 30 Branches to 1,000 by 2029
Until now, smart ID and passport services were limited to just 30 bank branches across five different banks, using a costly model that duplicated Home Affairs staff and hardware inside each participating branch.
The new digital partnership model will change that. Instead of replicating staff and equipment in select locations, Home Affairs will integrate services into secure banking apps and expand physical service points to 1,000 bank branches nationwide by 2029, covering both rural and urban areas.
“This initiative marks the beginning of the end for long travelling distances to reach Home Affairs services, for long queues and for the green ID book with its unacceptable vulnerability to fraud and identity theft,” said the department in a statement.
How It Works
Under the new system, customers of Capitec and FNB will be able to:
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Log into their banking app
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Complete the application for a smart ID or passport entirely online
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Make payments securely within the app
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Book an appointment at a participating branch (if biometrics or collection are required)
This builds on existing digital services like smart ID collection and driver’s licence bookings already integrated into some bank platforms, but it’s the first time full applications can be completed from start to finish without visiting a Home Affairs office first.
A Step Toward a Fully Digital Home Affairs
Minister Schreiber’s five-year strategy aims to turn Home Affairs into a fully digital service provider. The department is also inviting Absa, African Bank, Tyme Bank, Discovery Bank, Investec, Nedbank, and Standard Bank to join the programme.
Director-General Tommy Makhode said more banks will be onboarded soon, creating a wider network and making it easier for South Africans to access services from wherever they are.
Press briefings are set for Tuesday, 12 August at Capitec’s Stellenbosch HQ and Wednesday, 13 August at FNB’s Cape Town office to unveil further details.
Why This Matters for Everyday South Africans
Long queues at Home Affairs have been more than just an inconvenience — for many, they’ve meant taking unpaid time off work, paying for transport to distant offices, and waiting weeks or months for vital documents.
By moving these services onto banking apps, the department hopes to:
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Reduce congestion at Home Affairs offices
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Speed up application and collection times
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Extend access to people in rural areas who might live far from existing offices
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Improve security against identity theft and fraud
It’s a win for convenience, accessibility, and efficiency — and could reshape how South Africans interact with government services in the future.
Read Also: How One SASSA Mum Beat the System—And Found an Extra R1,000 No One Told Her About
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Sources:
snl24.com – You can apply for smart ID on your banking App
Department of Home Affairs – Media Statement on Digital Partnerships
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