[Updated October 2020]
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 | Address |
| ABSA Centurion Lifestyle | Centurion | Centurion Lifestyle, c/o Old Johannesburg Road and Lenchen Ave |
| Absa Tower North | Johannesburg | 180 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg |
| Absa Gandhi Square | Johannesburg | Gandhi Square, Johannesburg |
| FNB President Street West | Johannesburg | 47 Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Street, Johannesburg |
| FNB Merchant Place, Rivonia | Johannesburg | 4 Merchant Place, Cnr Rivonia Road and Fredman Drive |
| FNB Centurion Lifestyle | Centurion | Old Johannesburg Road and Lenchen Ave |
| FNB Lynwood (The Grove Mall) | Pretoria | The Grove Mall, Lynnwood Rd, Pretoria |
| Standard Bank Centurion | Centurion | Standard Bank Building, 1263 Embankment Rd |
| Standard Bank Killarney, Rosebank | Johannesburg | Killarney Mall, c/o Riveria Road and Killarney Ave |
| Standard Bank Canal Walk | Cape Town | Shop 599LL, Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Century City Dr |
| Nedbank Lakeside Mall | Benoni | Shop D6, Deck Level, Lakeside Mall, Tom Jones Street, Benoni |
| Nedbank Sandown | Johannesburg | 135 Rivonia Road (c/o Rivonia and Maude Street) |
| Nedbank Arcadia | Pretoria | Nedbank Plaza, 175 Steve Road, Arcadia, Pretoria |
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All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart will not be held liable for loss or inconvenience resulting from the use of out-dated or incorrectly noted information.