Home Affairs Hits 753 Bank Branches for Smart ID
The department reached its target of smart ID services at 753 bank branches four months ahead of schedule.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced the department has achieved its target of expanding smart ID services to 753 bank branches. The green ID book is being phased out in favour of the smart ID card.
Why it matters
The green ID book is outdated and is described as a key pull factor for illegal immigration and identity theft, so the shift to smart ID affects how South Africans prove their identity. Expanding services into bank branches brings the service closer to everyday users across South Africa.
The Department reports 753 bank branches offering smart ID, up from 214 Home Affairs offices equipped at the start of the administration, with 967 locations in total. About one million South Africans have used smart ID services at bank branches, though the source does not give a timeline for the green ID book's full phase-out.
The players
Leon Schreiber
Leon Schreiber is the Minister of Home Affairs in South Africa, responsible for the department's identity documents and civic services.
Department of Home Affairs
The Department of Home Affairs is South Africa's national government department responsible for identity documents, civic registration and immigration administration.
Absa, Capitec, FNB and Standard Bank
These are major South African commercial banks participating in the smart ID bank branch partnership with the Department of Home Affairs.
The details
The expansion was carried out under the Home Affairs @ Home initiative, a digital partnership with the banking sector launched in March 2026. Participating banks include Absa, Capitec, FNB and Standard Bank, and smart ID services are now available at these branches alongside Home Affairs offices.
Timeline
March 2026: Department launches digital partnership with the banking sector.
End of March 2027: Original deadline for the 750 bank branch target.
11 November 2026: Minister announces the target has been achieved four months early.
Business Landscape
The bank branch expansion extends the Home Affairs @ Home initiative, which the department uses to move identity services out of its own offices and into the banking sector. It marks a shift from relying only on the department's 214 original smart ID offices toward a wider network of partner locations.
South Africans can now obtain a smart ID card at 753 participating bank branches as well as Home Affairs offices. Anyone still holding a green ID book may need to plan for a smart ID card as the older document is phased out.
The takeaway
Check whether your nearest participating bank branch offers smart ID services before travelling to a Home Affairs office. Begin planning your switch from the green ID book now, as the older document is being phased out.
What happens next
More banks and services are set to be added to the project shortly, though no specific dates were given in the source.
Further reading
For related updates on new services and locations, see Openings & Closings in South Africa.
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