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.
| Bank | In programme since | Active branches (March 2026) | App integration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNB | 2015 | ~22 | ✅ Yes — FNB customers |
| Standard Bank | 2016 | ~12 (9 pilot + 3 new) | 🔄 Rolling out |
| Absa | 2016 | ~6–8 | ✅ Yes — Absa customers |
| Nedbank | 2016 | ~6 | 🔄 Planned |
| Discovery Bank | 2016 | ~5 | 🔄 Planned |
| Investec | 2016 | 1–2 | Not confirmed |
| Capitec | October 2025 | ~10–15 | 🔄 Rolling out |
| African Bank | March 2026 | 1 (pilot) | 🔄 Later phase |
| TymeBank | 2025 | Limited | 🔄 Planned |
Branch counts are estimates based on confirmed announcements as of March 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 20 new API-integrated branches launched from February 2026 onwards 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 | 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?
Almost every bank requires an eHomeAffairs appointment booked in advance. Standard Bank’s new 2026 branches are the only exception — these use direct API integration rather than the eHomeAffairs platform, and walk-ins are accepted.
| 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 | No — eHomeAffairs or Absa app appointment required |
| 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 | 🔄 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?
FNB leads by confirmed branch count with approximately 22 active locations as of March 2026, and a target of 240 branches by mid-2026. It also holds the programme’s all-time volume record — over 570,000 documents issued since 2015.
Capitec has the largest long-term potential with 880 branches nationwide and a target of 300 active by end of 2026, specifically prioritising underserved areas currently lacking DHA or bank programme access.
Standard Bank is the fastest-growing in 2026, moving from 9 pilot branches to a target of 20 new additional branches by end 2026, with 300 planned by 2027.
Which Bank Is Best for You?
If you are not a customer of any specific bank and want the most appointment slots available: FNB currently offers the widest active branch coverage with the most confirmed locations.
If you want to apply without booking in advance: Standard Bank’s new 2026 branches (Rosebank, Maponya Mall, Westgate, and others as they open) accept walk-ins — no eHomeAffairs appointment needed. Note: Standard Bank clients only at these branches.
If you want app-based application with home delivery: FNB is the most established, with the “Home Affairs @ Home” home delivery feature 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 three new walk-in branches (Rosebank, Maponya Mall, Westgate) allow you to apply without a pre-booked appointment — the most convenient option in the programme if you qualify.
Province Coverage by Bank
| Province | Banks currently active |
|---|---|
| Gauteng | All banks |
| Western Cape | FNB, Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank |
| Eastern Cape | Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank |
| KwaZulu-Natal | FNB (Cornubia), Standard Bank (Kingsmead), Nedbank |
| Limpopo | FNB (Burgersfort) |
| Mpumalanga | Limited |
| Northern Cape | Nedbank (Kathu) |
| Free State | No active bank branches |
| North West | No active bank branches |
KZN gap: Absa has no KwaZulu-Natal branch in the programme as of March 2026. FNB Cornubia and Standard Bank Kingsmead are the KZN options.
Free State and North West: No bank branches are currently active in either province. Residents must use a DHA live capture office or travel to another province.
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
- Applications from naturalized citizens or permanent residents from non-visa-exempt countries — the Phase 1 bank rollout covers visa-exempt country nationals only. All others must use a DHA live capture office.
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? FNB has the most confirmed active branches as of March 2026 (~22), with a target of 240 by mid-2026. Capitec is the largest long-term bet with 880 total branches and 300 targeted for activation by end 2026.
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 only — Rosebank, Maponya Mall, Westgate, and others as they open. 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, 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 naturalized citizen or permanent resident. Which bank should I go to? None yet for non-visa-exempt countries. The Phase 1 rollout of bank-based services for naturalized citizens and permanent residents covers visa-exempt country nationals only. If you are from a non-visa-exempt country, you must use a DHA live capture office regardless of bank.
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 a direct API integration between bank systems and the DHA backend, using bank staff and existing infrastructure. Standard Bank’s new 2026 branches and Capitec use the new model. FNB, Absa, Nedbank, Discovery, and Investec’s original pilot branches still operate on the older eHomeAffairs model, which is being upgraded over time.
Individual bank guides:
- FNB Smart ID and Passport
- Standard Bank Smart ID and Passport
- Absa Smart ID and Passport
- Capitec Smart ID and Passport
- African Bank Smart ID and Passport
- Bank Services Hub — Full Overview