Home Affairs extends operating hours ahead of festive season

Operating hours will be extended at the Department of Home Affairs offices as of Monday, 8 December.

The offices will be open by an additional two hours daily for applications and collections of documents.

This will be applicable from 8 to 19 December, and from 5 to 16 January 2026.

“On these days, offices will close at 6pm, instead of 4pm. Services offered during the extended hours will be available at offices equipped to process smart ID cards and passports,” said Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber.

The minister encouraged the use of the online Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS), available on the Home Affairs website, to book their appointment.

Those unable to make an online booking will, however, still be assisted as walk-ins.

“With our offices operating on extended hours ahead of and during the festive season, I encourage South Africans to make use of the longer opening hours to ensure their essential documents are up to date, including travel documents,” said Schreiber.

“The extended hours we are offering will go a long way in assisting people to get the documents they need to spend precious time with friends and family, and to prepare for the new year.”

He further encouraged those who have applied for smart ID cards and passports to use the opportunity to collect their documents.

“We now offer dedicated counters for collections as we continue our journey towards delivering dignity for all,” he said.

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