Business
20 New Standard Bank Branches to Offer Smart ID and Passport Services by 2026
Banking Meets Bureaucracy: A Modern Way to Get Your ID
In a move set to make life easier for millions of South Africans, Standard Bank has announced that it will open 20 new bank branches offering Smart ID and passport services in early 2026.
This expansion follows a successful partnership between the bank and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), marking another milestone in South Africa’s push to bring essential government services into the digital age.
From Concept to Action
After months of groundwork, Standard Bank confirmed it has now moved from “concept to execution.” The first two pilot branches are already testing the system under real-world conditions.
These trial sites are fully equipped to capture biometric data, handle secure document transfers, and integrate directly with the DHA’s national systems. Staff have undergone specialised training to ensure the process is smooth, quick, and safe for clients.
To fine-tune the service, Standard Bank has launched a “Friends of the Programme” initiative, inviting a small group of clients to try out the process early and share their feedback. Their experiences will help shape the rollout before it reaches the rest of the country.
According to the bank, this pilot phase will validate system performance and user experience before scaling up to all 20 planned branches.
How the New System Will Work
The process has been designed with simplicity and convenience in mind.
Clients will visit a participating Standard Bank branch enabled for DHA services and complete their Smart ID or passport application on-site.
After biometric verification, including fingerprints and a photograph, a Standard Bank consultant helps finalise the application and payment via Internet Banking.
Clients will then receive status updates directly and collect their completed ID or passport from the same branch.
This system aims to eliminate multiple trips to Home Affairs offices, drastically reduce waiting times, and improve accessibility in areas where DHA offices are few or overcrowded.
Importantly, while Standard Bank handles biometric data capture and document handover, the Department of Home Affairs remains in charge of scheduling, processing, and issuing all official documents.
Expanding Access Nationwide
The 20 new branches have been strategically selected to ensure both metro and rural coverage, focusing especially on areas with high numbers of South Africans who still hold the older green ID books.
While Standard Bank is still finalising the list of locations, it confirmed that the infrastructure and devices for all 20 branches are already in place.
This rollout forms part of a broader national plan by the DHA, which aims to add 100 new bank-based service sites by March 2026 and 1,000 sites by 2029 through partnerships with all major banks, including Absa, FNB, Nedbank, Capitec, Discovery, African Bank, TymeBank, and others.
Ultimately, the goal is to digitise the entire Smart ID and passport process, with the long-term vision of enabling door-to-door delivery of official documents.
Why It Matters
For South Africans tired of long queues, limited office hours, and slow processing times, this expansion could change everything.
By merging government services with the convenience of banking infrastructure, the initiative brings critical documentation within easier reach, particularly for people in rural areas.
It’s a sign that the collaboration between Home Affairs and local banks isn’t just about technology but about accessibility, trust, and efficiency.
If the pilot succeeds, 2026 could mark the year when renewing your passport or applying for an ID finally becomes as easy as visiting your local bank.
Also read: FlySafair B-BBEE Deal Sparks Debate Over State Control of SA Skies
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Source: Business Tech
Featured Image: Daily Investor
