Smart ID Card applications now open to many more citizens
The system is now open to all citizens who bank with the four participating banks
ALL citizens banking with ABSA, First National Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank, can now apply for Smart ID cards and passports.
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba on Wednesday said when they launched the eHomeAffairs portal, only citizens between 30 and 35 years old could use this innovative platform to apply for their Smart ID cards and passports, online.
“The system is now open to all citizens who bank with these four participating banks. Currently 12 branches of these banks are connected to the system in Gauteng, with one branch in Cape Town.
While most of these branches are centralised in Gauteng, plans are apace to enter into a public private partnership with participating banks, hopefully to be finalised in October, to increase the footprint in the provinces.
The steering committee wherein home affairs and the banks are represented is monitoring the implementation and performance of the system. “It was in this context that we were able to identify gaps in the system and speedily recommended upgrades to the live capture system,” Gigaba said.
The department will undertake system maintenance and enhancements from September 3 in 178 offices that issue Smart ID Cards and the 12 banks. There will be limited DHA services in this period. Offices will not offer Smart ID cards and passport services on that day.
Benefits of the system upgrade are:
• Citizens will be able to make changes to their already submitted application forms on eHomeAffairs at any point, until the application process is concluded at their banks.
• Offline performance enhancements will enable capturing of applications even when the Live Capture System is offline, to ensure clients are not turned away, or inconvenienced.
• Communications will be improved with regard to payments on eHomeAffairs, by sending a notice if payment has not been completed.
With eHomeAffairs, you can download and fill in the e-application form, make an electronic payment and book an appointment to complete the application process at your nearest participating bank.
Those who experience problems in the application process should call the Home Affairs Toll Free number – 0800 60 11 90.
Banks where Home Affairs services can be accessed are Absa Lifestyle in Centurion, Absa Towers North, Absa Ghandi Square, FNB Lifestyle Centurion, FNB Menlyn, FNB Merchant Place, Nedbank Rivonia, Nedbank Roodepoort, Standard Bank Centurion, Standard Bank Killarney Rosebank and Standard Bank Canal Walk in the Western Cape.
