The Department of Home Affairs has announced that South Africans applying for Smart ID cards or passports will have easier access to services during December and January, as selected branches will operate for longer hours to accommodate the high demand typically experienced over the festive and early new year periods when many people require identification or travel documents for personal, professional or travel-related reasons. Many applicants are unaware that peak demand for Smart IDs usually occurs between December and February due to school admissions and first-time adult applications, and the longer hours may significantly reduce congestion, especially for first-time applicants who often wait until early January to complete their documents.
Key Takeaways
- Extended operating hours will ease peak-season pressure: Selected Home Affairs branches will stay open until 18:00 in December and January, giving applicants more flexibility during the busiest identification period of the year.
- High demand for Smart IDs occurs between December and February: Increased applications linked to school admissions and first-time adult registrations make early planning essential to avoid long queues.
- Applicants can reduce delays with strategic timing: Visiting branches midweek or before midday, and collecting documents promptly, can significantly reduce waiting times and help ease office backlogs.
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Appointment System Encouraged but Walk-ins Accepted
To assist with managing queues and reducing pressure on staff, the department has advised members of the public to schedule appointments through the Branch Appointment Booking System available on the Home Affairs website. This system allows users to secure a specific time slot, helping to ensure smoother service delivery and a more predictable flow of visitors. Despite this recommendation, walk-in clients will still be accommodated during the extended hours, enabling those who have difficulty accessing the online booking platform or those who require urgent assistance to receive help.
A useful tip for applicants is to check appointment slots early in the morning or late in the evening, as new availability often appears when website traffic is lower. Walk-ins are still accepted, but early arrivals generally experience shorter queues, especially on weekdays that do not follow public holidays.
Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber emphasised that the extended hours support the department’s broader goal of improving accessibility and service delivery. He noted that many South Africans prepare for holiday travel, family commitments and early year administrative tasks in December and January, and the additional operating time is intended to ease this pressure. He also encouraged individuals who have already completed their applications to collect their documents during this period, especially as offices now include dedicated counters specifically designed to speed up collections.
Millions Still Without Identification Documents
The decision to extend operating hours comes as the department continues to confront a significant national challenge. Millions of South Africans remain without formal identification documents, which limits their ability to access essential services, apply for jobs, register for social programmes or participate fully in civic processes. According to current departmental data, more than 4.4 million South Africans aged 16 and older do not possess either a green ID book or a Smart ID card. This large figure spans many communities, income levels and regions, illustrating persistent barriers in accessing Home Affairs offices and obtaining official identification.
This number also means that millions of people face delays in accessing banking services, education opportunities, SASSA benefits and employment, since virtually all formal institutions require valid identification. Rural areas remain disproportionately affected due to limited office availability and transport challenges.
The department has repeatedly expressed concern about the widespread reliance on outdated green ID books. Although the green ID book has been in use for decades, the intention is to transition fully to the more secure Smart ID card system. Minister Schreiber has indicated that the production of new green ID books should cease from 2026, with the document eventually becoming invalid for formal use. The department has explained that this transition can only happen once all eligible South Africans have access to Smart ID cards, which remains a long-term undertaking given the number of outstanding applicants and the pressure on existing capacity. Smart ID cards contain modern security features such as laser-engraved details and embedded chips that significantly reduce identity theft and fraudulent duplication. These upgrades form part of a wider effort to modernise civil registration systems across the country.
Transitioning Away from Green ID Books
While the department remains committed to phasing out the green ID book, the process is expected to take several years. Home Affairs continues to work on strategies that will gradually reduce reliance on physical offices. One of the key initiatives is the Home Affairs at Home project, which seeks to shift many services online or into alternative environments to decrease congestion and improve access for households located far from major urban centres.
A central component of this modernisation effort is the expansion of partnerships with South African banks. Through these collaborations, customers can apply for Smart IDs and passports directly at participating bank branches. This approach aims to bring services closer to workplaces and residential areas while allowing Home Affairs offices to focus on applicants who have limited access to digital tools or banking infrastructure. The department believes that diverting a portion of the demand to bank branches will relieve pressure on frontline staff and shorten turnaround times for applicants across the country. Bank branches equipped for Smart ID applications typically offer a quieter, more controlled environment, which many applicants prefer. However, appointments at these sites can fill up quickly, especially in major cities.
Millions of Green ID Books Still Circulating
Even with these improvements, the replacement of green ID books will take time. MyBroadband has reported that around 16 million green ID books remain in circulation, meaning it would take at least three to four years to replace them all. This challenge is further compounded by the additional 4.4 million people who currently do not have any form of ID, meaning the timeline extends further.
The scale of this effort makes it one of the largest civil documentation transitions in South African history, requiring consistent production output, stable supply chains and expanded public awareness campaigns.
The Government Printing Works, which produces Smart ID cards, has a practical annual capacity of around 3 million cards, with the potential to reach 4 million. It produced 3.6 million Smart IDs in the last financial year, and under ideal conditions, it can produce up to 5 million per year.
Estimated Completion Period for Full Replacement
If production reaches maximum levels in 2026 and 2027, the department estimates that about one million green ID books would still remain by March 2028. Full replacement would likely only be achieved later that year. Officials have warned that waiting until the last stages of phase-out may result in longer queues, as seen during previous national documentation transitions such as the introduction of new passport formats.
Conclusion
The extended operating hours at selected Home Affairs branches provide a timely boost to service accessibility during one of the busiest periods for Smart ID and passport applications, offering much-needed flexibility for individuals preparing for travel, education requirements or the start of the new year. By encouraging both scheduled appointments and prompt document collections, the department aims to reduce congestion and improve overall efficiency, particularly as the country works toward transitioning from green ID books to Smart ID cards. Although demand remains high and millions still require proper identification, the additional hours and broader modernisation efforts signal a commitment to easing long-standing pressures on the system and supporting South Africans who depend on these essential services.
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