Home Affairs Partners with Capitec and FNB to Expand Digital ID and Passport Services

The Department of Home Affairs has announced a significant upgrade in service delivery, partnering with Capitec Bank and First National Bank (FNB) to implement a new digital model for Smart ID and Passport services.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber described the agreement as a “transformative step” toward improving access to essential services for all South Africans.

Digital Expansion of Services

The new model will extend services from the current 30 bank branches to hundreds more across both urban and rural areas. Customers will also be able to apply for Smart IDs and Passports via secure digital banking apps, marking a shift to a “digital-first” public service era.

In line with the Medium-Term Development Plan, Home Affairs aims to expand services to 1,000 bank branches by 2029. On 30 April 2025, Director-General Tommy Makhode invited CEOs from major banks—including ABSA, African Bank, Tyme Bank, Discovery Bank, Investec, Nedbank, and Standard Bank—to join the initiative.

Overcoming Past Challenges

Previous collaborations with banks required duplicating staff and hardware at each branch, which was costly and inefficient. The new digital model leverages technology to:

• Bring services closer to communities
• Reduce the need for long travel or long queues
• Improve efficiency and reduce operational costs

Ending the Green ID Book Era

Minister Schreiber emphasized the significance of the reform:

"This is the beginning of the end for the Green ID book, with its vulnerability to fraud and identity theft. It is also the start of a new era where essential government services are integrated into everyday banking channels, making them more accessible than ever."

He will visit Capitec and FNB this week to outline the rollout plan and highlight the benefits of the initiative.