Setting the Record Straight on Smartcard IDs

Last month the Department of Home Affairs announced plans about the rollout of its new Smartcard IDs and passports. It also said that in order to alleviate queues at its offices – which many have been complaining about – it had come to an agreement with several banks to have kiosks at their branches (and also at the post office in the future) where people could apply for and obtain their Smartcard IDs.

Since then, however, some confusion has spread around the Internet about the finer details of these new plans. Below are some of the questions now doing the rounds.

Which banks will offer this service?
FNB, Standard and Nedbank. Possibly ABSA.

Can anyone apply for the Smartcard ID?
No. You have to be a client of the bank where you apply. And there is an age limitation at the moment. In February and March, 16-year-olds and anyone over 60 was invited to apply in the month of their birth. Other citizens were told by Home Affairs, ‘to wait for invitations to apply.’

How will it work?
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigabago said people will need to ” go to the Home Affairs kiosk in the bank, submit all their applications, take their biometric photograph, automated fingerprint and their electronic signature and that is compiled to an electronic package and deposited to Home Affairs.” Customers should then be able to collect their Smart ID cards within 10 working days, from the same bank branch.

When will the pilot project (yes, it’s only a pilot project to start with) begin?
In April. It will last six months, after which time it is expected to be rolled out to all customers.

How many branches of the banks and the post office will partake in the pilot project?
Home Affairs did not say.

Where do I apply for and get these documents until then?
There are 70 Home Affairs offices around the country accepting applications and issuing documents. Click here for details. 

To date Home Affairs has issued over one million Smart ID Cards, in less than a year.