Absa Smart ID and Passport Application – Branch Guide
Can I Get a Smart ID or Passport at Absa?
Yes. Absa has offered Smart ID and passport services in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs since 2016 — one of the four original pilot banks in the programme.
In August 2025, Absa upgraded its partnership to the new digital model, adding Absa Banking App integration for Smart ID and passport applications alongside its branch network. The bank has 6 confirmed active branches and 12 more ready for activation, with a target of 19 branches as the rollout progresses.
Both Absa customers and non-customers can use the branch service. The Absa app route is available to Absa clients only.
Provincial gap to note: Absa is the only Big Four bank with no KwaZulu-Natal branches in the programme. Residents in KZN must use another bank, a DHA live capture office, or wait for Absa’s expansion to include KZN branches.
Two Ways To Apply at Absa
Route 1 — Absa Banking App (Absa customers only)
The Absa app (4.8-star rating, 3 million+ users) now supports Smart ID and passport applications directly for Absa clients.
Through the app you can:
- Start and submit your application
- Pay the DHA fee via your Absa account
- Book a branch appointment for biometric capture
- Track your application status
App-based home delivery is part of the DHA’s broader “Home Affairs @ Home” rollout. Confirm current availability in the Absa app at the time of application.
Route 2 — eHomeAffairs Website (anyone)
Open to all South Africans regardless of which bank they use.
- Go to ehome.dha.gov.za and register with your personal details
- Complete your application and upload document copies
- Pay the fee via Absa Online Banking, the Absa app, or internet banking at Absa, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Investec, or Discovery
- Select a participating Absa branch and book an appointment
- Attend in person for biometric capture
- Wait for SMS notification and collect from the same branch
Not sure what documents to take to Home Affairs? Click Here To Use our free checklist and walk in fully prepared.
Absa Branch List
Confirmed active branches as of March 2026:
| Branch | Province |
|---|---|
| Absa Towers North | Gauteng |
| Absa Centurion Lifestyle Centre | Gauteng |
| Absa Gandhi Square | Gauteng |
| Absa Sandton | Gauteng |
| Absa Stellenbosch | Western Cape |
| Absa Cape Town CBD | Western Cape |
| Absa Krugersdorp | Gauteng |
| Absa Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape branch) | Eastern Cape |
Additional branches from Absa’s confirmed pipeline of 12 activation-ready locations will be listed on ehome.dha.gov.za as they go live. Always confirm current branch availability on the platform before booking — do not rely on older published lists.
No Absa branches are currently active in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Free State, or Northern Cape. This is expected to change as Absa’s 19-branch target is reached.
What To Bring
- Your South African Smart ID card or green ID book — original
- Your existing passport if applying for a renewal
- Payment confirmation from the eHomeAffairs platform or Absa app
- For a lost or stolen passport: SAPS affidavit confirming the loss
No physical passport photos are required — your photo is captured digitally at the branch.
Fees
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| Smart ID card | R140 |
| Smart ID — first-time applicant turning 16 | Free |
| Smart ID — South African citizens 60 and older | Free |
| Passport (new or renewal) | R600 |
| Lost/stolen passport — SAPS affidavit of non-negligence | R600 |
| Lost/stolen passport — negligent loss | R1,200 |
No additional convenience fee is charged by Absa — you pay only the standard DHA fee. Confirm current fee arrangements at ehome.dha.gov.za before applying.
Processing Times and Collection
10 to 14 working days from your biometric appointment. You will receive an SMS when your document is ready. Collect in person at the same Absa branch where you submitted — third-party collection is not permitted under DHA Circular No. 1 of 2022.
Track your status: SMS P + your 13-digit SA ID number to 32552, or check via the Absa app if you applied through it.
What You Cannot Do at an Absa Branch
- Emergency passports — DHA live capture office only
- NPR corrections — DHA office only
- Birth, marriage, or death certificate applications — DHA office only
- Citizenship or permanent residence applications — DHA office only
- Apply in KwaZulu-Natal — no Absa branches currently active in KZN; use another participating bank or a DHA live capture office
- Naturalized citizens and Permanent Residents from non-visa-exempt countries — Naturalized citizens and Permanent Residents can apply for Smart IDs at bank branches under the Phase 1 rollout, but only if they are from visa-exempt countries. All others must use a DHA live capture office.
Official Contact and Booking
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| eHomeAffairs booking | ehome.dha.gov.za |
| Absa Banking App | iOS and Android |
| Absa website | absa.co.za |
| DHA toll-free hotline | 0800 60 11 90 |
| DHA email | hacc@dha.gov.za |
| Status check SMS | P + 13-digit ID number to 32552 |
This website is not affiliated with Absa or the Department of Home Affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an Absa customer to apply at Absa? No for branch applications. The branch service is open to all South Africans. The Absa Banking App route is available to Absa clients only.
Can I get a passport at Absa or only a Smart ID? Both Smart IDs and passports are available at Absa’s participating branches.
How much does a Smart ID cost at Absa? R140. First-time applicants turning 16 and South African citizens aged 60 and older qualify for a free Smart ID.
How much does a passport cost at Absa? R600 for a new passport or renewal. A lost or stolen passport replacement costs R600 with a SAPS affidavit of non-negligence, or R1,200 if the loss was due to negligence.
Does Absa have branches in KwaZulu-Natal offering the service? Not as of March 2026. Absa is the only Big Four bank without an active KZN branch in the programme. KZN residents should use FNB Cornubia, Standard Bank Kingsmead, Nedbank, or a DHA live capture office until Absa expands into the province.
Do I need an appointment at Absa? Yes. All Absa branches require an appointment booked through ehome.dha.gov.za or the Absa app. Walk-ins are not accepted.
Can I pay for my Smart ID or passport at the Absa branch? No. Payment must be completed online before your appointment — through the Absa app, Absa Online Banking, or internet banking at another supported bank. No cash or card payment is accepted at the branch counter.
How do I find my nearest Absa branch offering the service? Log into ehome.dha.gov.za — the branch selection screen shows all currently active locations. The list updates as Absa activates more of its 12 pipeline branches.
I am a naturalized citizen or permanent resident. Can I apply at Absa? Only if you are from a visa-exempt country. The Phase 1 rollout of Smart ID services for naturalized citizens and permanent residents at bank branches covers visa-exempt country nationals only. All others must apply at a DHA live capture office.
Related Guides
- Bank Services Hub — All Banks
- FNB Smart ID and Passport
- Capitec Smart ID and Passport
- Standard Bank Smart ID and Passport
- African Bank Smart ID and Passport
- Which Banks Offer Smart ID and Passport Services