All 9 Banks in the Programme
Nine South African banks currently have active partnerships with the Department of Home Affairs to offer Smart ID and passport services. Six were part of the original 2016 pilot. Three joined the expanded programme in 2025.
As of August 2026, 327 branches are active nationwide. The DHA is targeting 750 by end of 2026 and 1,000 by 2029.
| Bank | In programme since | Active branches (Aug 2026) | App integration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capitec | October 2025 | 141+ | Yes – Capitec customers |
| Standard Bank | 2016 | 75+ | Rolling out |
| FNB | 2015 | 22+ | Yes – FNB customers |
| Absa | 2016 | 18+ | Yes – Absa customers |
| Nedbank | 2016 | ~6 | Planned |
| Discovery Bank | 2016 | ~5 | Planned |
| African Bank | March 2026 | Expanding | Later phase |
| TymeBank | 2025 | Limited | Planned |
| Investec | 2016 | 1-2 | Not confirmed |
Branch counts are based on confirmed announcements as of August 2026. Always verify current active locations at ehome.dha.gov.za.
Key Differences Between Banks
Not all banks work the same way in this programme. Three questions matter most when choosing where to apply.
1. Do I Need to Be a Customer?
Most banks accept any South African citizen regardless of whether they bank there. Standard Bank’s new 2026 branches are the exception — the API-integrated branches launched from February 2026 are for Standard Bank clients only. Standard Bank’s original 9 pilot branches remain open to all.
| Bank | Customer-only? |
|---|---|
| FNB | No – open to all |
| Standard Bank (pilot branches) | No – open to all |
| Standard Bank (new 2026 branches) | Yes – Standard Bank clients only |
| Absa (pilot branches) | No – open to all |
| Absa (new Digital Partnership branches) | No – open to all |
| Nedbank | No – open to all |
| Discovery Bank | No – open to all |
| Investec | No – open to all |
| Capitec | No – open to all |
| African Bank | No – open to all |
| TymeBank | No – open to all |
2. Can I Walk In Without an Appointment?
The new Digital Partnership model introduced in 2026 has changed this. Standard Bank’s new branches and Absa’s new Digital Partnership branches now accept walk-ins. All original pilot branches still require an eHomeAffairs appointment booked in advance.
| Bank | Walk-ins accepted? |
|---|---|
| FNB | No – eHomeAffairs appointment required |
| Standard Bank (pilot branches) | No – eHomeAffairs appointment required |
| Standard Bank (new 2026 branches) | Yes – walk-ins accepted |
| Absa (pilot branches) | No – eHomeAffairs or Absa app appointment required |
| Absa (new Digital Partnership branches) | Yes – walk-ins accepted |
| Nedbank | No – eHomeAffairs appointment required |
| Discovery Bank | No – eHomeAffairs appointment required |
| Investec | No – eHomeAffairs appointment required |
| Capitec | No – eHomeAffairs or Capitec app appointment required |
| African Bank | No – eHomeAffairs appointment required |
| TymeBank | No – eHomeAffairs appointment required |
3. Can I Apply Through a Banking App?
FNB and Absa have the most developed app integration. Capitec is rolling it out. Others have announced plans but have not yet confirmed launch timelines.
| Bank | App integration | Extras |
|---|---|---|
| FNB | Live | Home delivery + in-app status tracking |
| Absa | Live | Home delivery option in rollout |
| Capitec | Live – rolling out | Home delivery planned |
| Standard Bank | Rolling out | Timeline TBC |
| Nedbank | Planned | Timeline TBC |
| Discovery Bank | Planned | Timeline TBC |
| African Bank | Later phase | Timeline TBC |
| TymeBank | Planned | Timeline TBC |
| Investec | Not confirmed | – |
Which Bank Has the Most Branches?
Capitec now leads the programme with 141+ active branches as of August 2026 — the largest footprint of any bank in the partnership. Capitec is targeting 300 active branches by end of 2026, specifically prioritising underserved areas currently lacking DHA or bank programme access. Its 880-branch national network gives it the largest long-term potential of any bank in the programme.
Standard Bank is the fastest-growing in 2026, moving from 9 pilot branches to 75+ active locations, with 300 planned by 2027.
Absa launched 12 new Digital Partnership branches on 20 July 2026, taking its total to 18+. A further 60 branches are scheduled before end of 2026, which would make Absa one of the larger providers by year end. Absa also announced Bank on the Move — a mobile unit that will take Smart ID services directly to communities.
FNB has 22+ active branches and holds the programme’s all-time volume record — over 570,000 documents issued since 2015. FNB’s target of 240 branches by mid-2026 has not yet been publicly confirmed as achieved — check ehome.dha.gov.za for current FNB locations.
Which Bank Is Best for You?
If you want the most appointment slots available: Capitec now offers the widest active branch coverage with 141+ confirmed locations. Check the Capitec app or ehome.dha.gov.za for your nearest slot.
If you want to apply without booking in advance: Standard Bank’s new 2026 branches (Rosebank, Maponya Mall, Westgate, and others) and Absa’s new Digital Partnership branches accept walk-ins. Note: Standard Bank’s new branches are for Standard Bank clients only. Absa’s new branches are open to all.
If you want app-based application with home delivery: FNB is the most established with “Home Affairs @ Home” home delivery available to FNB customers through the FNB app. Absa offers similar functionality to Absa customers.
If you are in a township, secondary town, or area with no current bank branch in the programme: Capitec and African Bank are the banks to watch. Their rollouts are specifically targeting these communities. Check ehome.dha.gov.za regularly for activations near you.
If you bank with Standard Bank and are in Gauteng: The new walk-in branches (Rosebank, Maponya Mall, Westgate, and others) allow you to apply without a pre-booked appointment — the most convenient option in the programme if you qualify.
Two Models Running in Parallel
Since March 2026, DHA runs two different models for bank-based services. Knowing which one applies to your chosen branch determines how you apply.
| Original eHomeAffairs Model | New Digital Partnership Model | |
|---|---|---|
| Which banks | FNB, Absa pilot branches, Nedbank, Discovery, Investec, Standard Bank original 9 | Standard Bank new 2026 branches, Absa new branches, Capitec (rolling out) |
| How it works | Apply and pay on ehome.dha.gov.za first, then visit branch | Apply and pay directly at the bank — no eHomeAffairs login required |
| Appointments | Mandatory | Walk-ins accepted |
| Who can use it | Any qualifying SA citizen | Standard Bank new branches: Standard Bank clients only. All others: open to all. |
Province Coverage by Bank
| Province | Banks currently active |
|---|---|
| Gauteng | All banks |
| Western Cape | FNB, Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, Capitec |
| Eastern Cape | Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, Capitec |
| KwaZulu-Natal | FNB (Cornubia), Standard Bank (Kingsmead), Nedbank, Capitec |
| Limpopo | FNB (Burgersfort), Capitec (expanding) |
| Mpumalanga | Capitec (expanding) |
| Northern Cape | Nedbank (Kathu), Capitec (expanding) |
| Free State | Capitec (expanding — confirm at ehome.dha.gov.za) |
| North West | Capitec (expanding — confirm at ehome.dha.gov.za) |
KZN gap: Absa has no KwaZulu-Natal branch in the programme as of August 2026. FNB Cornubia, Standard Bank Kingsmead, and Nedbank are the KZN options.
Free State and North West: Previously had no active bank branches. Capitec’s rollout is expanding into these provinces — confirm current availability at ehome.dha.gov.za before travelling.
What No Bank Can Do
Regardless of which bank you choose, the following always require a DHA live capture office:
- Emergency passports
- NPR (National Population Register) corrections
- Birth, marriage, or death certificates
- Citizenship or permanent residence applications
Naturalised citizens and permanent residents: Now eligible under the new Digital Partnership model, but only if you are originally from a country with an existing visa-free arrangement with South Africa. If you are from a non-visa-exempt country, you must still use a DHA live capture office. Confirm with your specific branch whether this has been activated — rollout is phased and not all branches offer it yet.
Fees — Same at Every Bank
DHA fees are standardised. No bank charges differently.
| 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 |
Most banks do not charge a convenience fee during their launch phases. Confirm with your chosen bank before applying.
Not sure what documents to take to Home Affairs? Click Here To Use our free checklist and walk in fully prepared.
How To Check Which Branches Are Currently Active
The only reliable real-time source is the eHomeAffairs platform itself.
- Go to ehome.dha.gov.za
- Register or log in
- Start an application
- Reach the branch selection step — all currently active and bookable branches are listed with available appointment slots
This is the only authoritative list. Published media lists, including this guide, reflect confirmed announcements but may lag behind activations and deactivations.
Official Contact and Booking
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| eHomeAffairs booking | ehome.dha.gov.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 the Department of Home Affairs or any of the banks mentioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bank has the most Smart ID and passport branches? Capitec leads with 141+ active branches as of August 2026, targeting 300 by end of 2026. Standard Bank is second with 75+ branches and growing fastest.
Can I use any bank’s branch even if I’m not their customer? Yes at most banks. The exception is Standard Bank’s new 2026 API-integrated branches, which are for Standard Bank clients only. All other banks and Standard Bank’s original 9 pilot branches are open to any South African.
Which bank lets me walk in without an appointment? Standard Bank’s new 2026 branches (Rosebank, Maponya Mall, Westgate, and others) and Absa’s new Digital Partnership branches launched July 2026. All other banks require an eHomeAffairs or in-app appointment booked in advance.
Which banks have app-based applications with home delivery? FNB (most developed, live now) and Absa (live, home delivery in rollout). Capitec app integration is live and rolling out. Standard Bank and Nedbank have app integration in progress.
Are fees the same at every bank? Yes. DHA fees are standardised: R140 for a Smart ID, R600 for a passport. Most banks add no convenience fee, especially during their launch phases.
I am a naturalised citizen or permanent resident. Which bank should I go to? It depends on your country of origin. If you are originally from a country with an existing visa-free arrangement with South Africa, you are now eligible under the new Digital Partnership model. Confirm with your specific branch whether this has been activated — rollout is phased. If you are from a non-visa-exempt country, you must still use a DHA live capture office regardless of which bank you approach.
What is the difference between the old pilot model and the new 2026 model? The old pilot model placed DHA staff and equipment inside bank branches — expensive and slow to scale. The new model uses direct API integration between bank systems and the DHA backend, using bank staff and existing infrastructure. Standard Bank’s new 2026 branches, Absa’s new Digital Partnership branches, and Capitec use the new model. FNB, Nedbank, Discovery, Investec, and the original Absa pilot branches still operate on the older eHomeAffairs model, which is being upgraded over time.
Individual bank guides: