Renew your SA passport through your bank: a how-to guide

Source: The South African, 26/08/2016

SA passports can now be renewed online and collected at your local
bank. Here's a step-by-step guide.


There are some conditions, of course, but if you live in Pretoria or
Johannesburg and have access to internet banking, you qualify. If you
don`t live in either of these places, you can use the eHome Affairs
services, but you need to go into Home Affairs to record your
biometric data and to collect your passport or ID.


What you need
• A copy of your ID
• R400 for the passport
• Access to internet banking
Step-by-step
Step 1: Account registration
• Register on the eHome Affairs website
• Create a profile
• Answer the simple security questions
• Create a password
• Capture the one time pin sent to your cellphone
• Attach a copy of your ID
Step 2: Make a payment
• Enter your account details on the site
• Log in to your internet banking to authorize the payment – go to `My
Bills` under `Payments` to initiate a payment instruction. Add the
Department of Home Affairs as a beneficiary and a payment instruction
will now appear under `My Bills`.


• Enter your reference number and approve the payment of R400 to the
Department of Home Affairs.


Step 3: Make an appointment
• Once the Department of Home Affairs has registered that you have
paid, you will be able to make an appointment to record your biometric
data.


• If you live in Johannesburg or Pretoria, you will be able to select
a bank branch with the required facilities. If not, you will have to
go to your local Home Affairs – this does not require an appointment.



• If you are able to make an appointment at one of the bank branches
you will be given a choice of time slots. Select a time slot, after
which will receive appointment confirmation via email and an SMS which
you will need to take with you to the bank.


Step 4: Attend your appointment
• At the bank, you will have your photograph and thumb print taken.



Step 5: Wait for an SMS or email
• When your passport is ready for collection, you will receive
notification. This should take roughly ten days.


Home Affairs has some handy information here in case you get stuck.


Cape Town and Durban banks are next to offer this service