The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will resume online services for application of smart identity documents (IDs) and passports on Monday, 8 March, minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced.
Known as eHomeAffairs, the online portal was introduced in 2016, allowing citizens to skip the long queues at home affairs branches by making applications online.
The DHA also partnered with the major banking
outlets – FNB, Absa, Nedbank and Standard Bank – to fast-track the rollout of smart ID cards and replace 38 million green-barcoded ID booklets.
Using the online booking portal, eHomeAffairs, citizens are able to apply for their smart IDs and passports online, and finalise the application process at certain bank
branches.However, the online channel was suspended amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Briefing media today, Motsoaledi said following president Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that the country has moved to alert
level one, the decision has been made to resume more services tomorrow, Thursday, 4 March.“The citizenship service remains temporarily unavailable,” he stated. “Online services through eHomeAffairs and our partner banks will be resumed on Monday, 8 March 2021.”
