Imagine never having to enter a Home Affairs branch ever again to renew you SA ID and passport! Called ‘Home Affairs @ home,’ TymeBank and Discovery Bank are the latest to join the initiative that now includes most major banks in South Africa.
Better still, because TymeBank has no physical premises or ATMs – services to renew your SA ID and passport will be offered through major retailers. Namely, Pick n Pay, Boxer and TFG (The Foschini Group) stores in South Africa. And Discovery Bank goes one step further by being app-based only, which could be a huge boon for ID and passport renewals on your smartphone.
RENEW YOUR SA ID
Since the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) eHomeAffairs system first came online in 2026 to renew your SA ID, you could transact at a handful of select banks. However, the system relied on duplicating complicated DHA setups within the banks. This was often ineffective due to offline issues. Participating banks actually wanted to disassociate with the DHA due to aggravated clients from the poor service.
Now, however, the latest initiative is expected to significantly improve and expand DHA’s services. “South Africa is a leader in digital financial services,” said Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber. “And it is high time that we leverage this knowledge to improve the state’s ability to deliver basic services,” he said.
Since last month, the following banks have announced you’ll soon be able to renew your SA ID and passport on their premises:
- ABSA
- African Bank
- Captiec
- FNB
- Discovery Bank
- Investec
- Nedbank
- Standard Bank
- TymeBank
HOME AFFAIRS AT HOME
Of course, the Home Affairs @ home initiative is still in its infancy and will only be offered through pilot sites initially. More details on that to follow. However, the department has bold plans to offer 1 000 bank branches to renew your SA ID at by 2029. As mentioned, the last addition to that list, TymeBank, provides a unique opportunity through its retail partners. Each month, TymeBank customers transact through more than 1 400 kiosks at Pick n Pay, Boxer and TFG stores.
Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber explained that such collaborations will ensure citizens finally benefit from cutting-edge technology. “Home Affairs going digital allows an inclusionary and seamless service. And it will reinforce data security and system integrity, ensuring that you can renew your SA ID and passport with the highest levels of protection and reliability,” concludes Dr. Schreiber.
ARE YOU EXCITED TO RENEW YOUR SA ID OUTSIDE OF HOME AFFAIRS?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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