Please note that due to COVID-19, Home
Affairs is inundated with queries. Passport applications are currently taking
longer than usual to process, so we encourage you to apply for your passport
more than six months in advance.
Passports cannot be renewed once they
expire; you will need to apply for a new one. South African citizens can apply
via the eHomeAffairs website. Please note, you will need internet banking to proceed with your
online passport application. Applicants will have to go to a Home Affairs
branch to capture their biometrics and collect their passport. Alternatively,
you can record your biometrics and collect your passport at specific Absa, FNB,
Standard Bank or Nedbank branches. Whether you’re applying for a passport for
the first time or doing a passport renewal, follow these easy steps and you’ll
be booking your ticket to your dream destination in no time!
How to apply for your South African
passport online
1. Register your account
· Simply go to the eHomeAffairs website and register.
· Create a profile
· Answer the security questions
· Create a password
· Capture the OTP (one-time pin) sent to your cellphone
· Finally, attach a copy of your ID
2. Make payment
· Enter your bank account details on the eHomeAffairs site.
· You will then be required to log in to your internet banking to
authorise the payment.
· Log in to your internet banking account: go to the “My Bills” option
under “Payments” to initiate the payment instruction.
· Add the Department of Home Affairs as a beneficiary, and a payment
instruction will appear under “My Bills”.
· Finally, enter your reference number and approve the R400 payment to the
Department of Home Affairs.
3. Record your biometrics
Option 1: Home Affairs Branch
· Once the Department of Home Affairs has registered your payment you will
be eligible to proceed with your biometrics data – two thumbprints, a photo and
your signature.
· You do not need to make an appointment at Home Affairs. Simply go to
your local branch to have your biometrics done.
· You will need to take your ID book with you to the Home Affairs branch.
Option 2: Home Affairs-Equipped Bank
Branch
· Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria residents can make an appointment
for their biometrics at their local bank branch once their payment has been
registered (see below).
· You will be given a choice of time slots. Once you’ve selected a time
slot, you will be sent a confirmation via SMS and email.
· Take your ID book and confirmation email or SMS with you when going to
your local bank branch.
4. Wait for an SMS or email
You will receive a notification that
your passport is ready for collection at the Home Affairs or bank branch where
your biometrics were captured.
When to apply for your passport:
Most countries require that travellers
have at least six months validity on their passport beyond their date of
departure. Therefore, you are advised to apply for or renew your South African
passport at least six months in advance.
Passport fees:
First-time application for a
passport: R400
Application for a new passport (with
old passport): R400
Application for a new passport (if
passport is lost): R800
South African Passport application
requirements:
· A copy of your ID
· Passport fee
· Your old passport (if you have one)
With eHomeAffairs services available,
your South African passport application and passport renewal process should
prove to be a simple and easy task to do before booking your flight to
your dream destination.
Biometrics equipped bank branches:
|
Branch
|
City
|
|
ABSA Centurion Lifestyle
|
Centurion
|
|
Absa Tower North
|
Johannesburg
|
|
Absa Gandhi Square
|
Johannesburg
|
|
FNB President Street West
|
Johannesburg
|
|
FNB Merchant Place, Rivonia
|
Johannesburg
|
|
FNB Centurion Lifestyle
|
Centurion
|
|
FNB Lynwood (The Grove Mall)
|
Pretoria
|
|
Standard Bank Centurion
|
Centurion
|
|
Standard Bank Killarney, Rosebank
|
Johannesburg
|
|
Standard Bank Canal Walk
|
Cape Town
|
|
Nedbank Lakeside Mall
|
Benoni
|
|
Nedbank Sandown
|
Johannesburg
|
|
Nedbank Arcadia
|
Pretoria
|
Don’t forget to book your Travel
Insurance. Our COVID Travel Insurance (max 31 day cover) is available through
ES Brokers.
www.esbrokers.co.za
Article courtesy of
Travelstart by Mandy Alexander – dated 5 September 2018