Home Affairs Extends Saturday Hours for Smart ID Card Applications

The Department of Home Affairs has announced extended Saturday hours at selected offices throughout May 2025 for smart card identity documents applications. This extension aims to assist naturalised citizens and permanent residents in applying for the Smart ID Card.

The extended hours will apply at all offices that process Smart ID Cards on the following Saturdays: 17, 24, and 31 May. Doors will be open from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM on each of these dates.

This initiative is specifically aimed at individuals who currently hold the older green barcoded ID books. The department is urging naturalised citizens and permanent residents from listed countries to seize this opportunity and apply for the modern, more secure Smart ID Card.

Officials say the move is part of a broader effort to phase out the outdated ID books and shift toward a digital-friendly, tamper-resistant identification system.

Applicants are advised to arrive early to avoid long queues and to bring the necessary documents for verification.

With just three Saturdays scheduled for extended service, the department hopes to ease the application burden and make the process more accessible to those who may not be able to visit during regular weekday hours.

For many, this could be the ideal time to update their identification and be part of the national effort to modernise South Africa’s identity system.