African Bank Smart ID and Passport Application — What’s Live in 2026
Is African Bank Offering Smart ID and Passport Services?
Yes — but the rollout is in its earliest phase as of March 2026.
African Bank is one of the newest bank partners in the Department of Home Affairs programme, having signed its digital partnership agreement in August 2025. The first pilot branch was scheduled to go live by March 2026, with a phased rollout to more than 100 branches planned to follow.
African Bank was not part of the original 2016 pilot. It joins Capitec and TymeBank as new entrants in the expanded programme launched by Minister Leon Schreiber.
Important: Because African Bank is in the pilot launch phase, confirmed branch locations are limited and subject to change. Always verify current active branches at ehome.dha.gov.za before attempting to book.
What Makes African Bank Different in This Programme
African Bank’s partnership has a specific community access focus. CEO of Personal Banking Sibongiseni Ngundze stated at launch that the goal is to reach citizens who face long travel distances, costs, and time away from work to reach DHA offices — embedding these services in communities, not just urban centres.
This positions African Bank’s rollout differently from the original pilot banks, which were concentrated in Gauteng and major metros. African Bank’s 400+ branches nationwide — including many in township areas and secondary towns — give it potential reach into communities currently underserved by both DHA offices and other bank branches in the programme.
The bank also confirmed that app-based applications are planned as a later phase of the partnership, following the branch rollout.
How To Apply at African Bank
During the current pilot phase, applications follow the standard eHomeAffairs route:
- Go to ehome.dha.gov.za and register a profile
- Complete your Smart ID or passport application online
- Pay the DHA fee via internet banking at any supported bank
- Select an active African Bank branch and book an appointment slot
- Attend your appointment in person for biometric capture — fingerprints and photo taken digitally at the branch
- Wait for SMS confirmation and collect your document from the same branch
Note: African Bank app integration is not yet available. Once launched, Absa clients will be able to initiate applications in-app. Watch ehome.dha.gov.za and africanbank.co.za for updates.
Not sure what documents to take to Home Affairs? Click Here To Use our free checklist and walk in fully prepared.
Active Branches
African Bank’s first pilot branch was scheduled to go live by March 2026. Specific confirmed locations have not been published as of this writing. As more branches are activated in the phased rollout to 100+, they will appear on the eHomeAffairs booking platform.
To find a current active African Bank branch: Log into ehome.dha.gov.za → select your province → filter by African Bank in the branch selection screen.
Do not rely on third-party lists — branch availability changes as new locations are activated. The eHomeAffairs platform is the only authoritative source.
Who Can and Cannot Apply
African Bank’s service is open to any South African citizen — you do not need to be an African Bank customer to use a participating branch.
What you cannot do at an African Bank 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
- App-based applications — not yet available; branch only during pilot phase
- Naturalized citizens and Permanent Residents from non-visa-exempt countries — The Phase 1 rollout at bank branches covers naturalized citizens and permanent residents from visa-exempt countries only. All others must use a DHA live capture office.
What To Bring
- Your South African Smart ID card or green bar-coded ID book — original
- Your existing passport if applying for a renewal
- Payment confirmation from the eHomeAffairs platform
- For a lost or stolen passport: SAPS affidavit confirming the loss
No passport photos 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 African Bank. You pay only the standard DHA fee through eHomeAffairs.
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 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.
Rollout Timeline
| Milestone | Target |
|---|---|
| Partnership announced | August 2025 |
| First pilot branch live | March 2026 |
| Phase 2 expansion | 100+ branches (timeline TBC) |
| App integration | Later phase (date TBC) |
African Bank has committed to a rollout across its full national branch network in phases. Timelines beyond the first pilot branch had not been confirmed as of March 2026. Monitor africanbank.co.za and dha.gov.za for updates.
Official Contact and Booking
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| eHomeAffairs booking | ehome.dha.gov.za |
| African Bank website | africanbank.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 African Bank or the Department of Home Affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is African Bank accepting Smart ID and passport applications right now? The first pilot branch was scheduled to go live by March 2026. Check ehome.dha.gov.za to confirm whether active African Bank branches are currently bookable in your area.
Do I need to be an African Bank customer to apply? No. The service is open to all South Africans regardless of which bank they use.
How many African Bank branches will offer the service? African Bank has committed to rolling out to more than 100 branches in phases. The first pilot branch launches March 2026, with additional locations to follow.
Can I apply via the African Bank app? Not yet. App integration is a planned later phase. Branch appointments through eHomeAffairs is the only current route.
How much does a Smart ID cost at African Bank? 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 African Bank? R600 for a new passport or renewal. Lost or stolen passport replacement is R600 with a SAPS affidavit of non-negligence, or R1,200 if the loss was due to negligence.
I am a naturalized citizen or permanent resident. Can I apply at African Bank? Only if you are from a visa-exempt country. The Phase 1 bank branch rollout for naturalized citizens and permanent residents covers visa-exempt country nationals only. All others must apply at a DHA live capture office.
African Bank is known for unsecured lending — why is it in this programme? African Bank’s branch network extends into township areas and secondary towns underserved by both DHA offices and the original pilot banks. The DHA partnership is explicitly aimed at reaching these communities, not tied to African Bank’s credit products. You do not need any banking products from African Bank to use the service.
Related Guides
- Bank Services Hub — All Banks
- FNB Smart ID and Passport
- Capitec Smart ID and Passport
- Standard Bank Smart ID and Passport
- Absa Smart ID and Passport
- Which Banks Offer Smart ID and Passport Services