The Department of Home Affairs DHA has extended its operating hours on Saturdays for the month of May to assist naturalised citizens and permanent residents from visa-exempt countries to replace their older green barcoded ID books by applying for smart ID cards, reports Cape town Etc .
This rollout marks a significant step in modernising identity documentation, improving security and enhancing service delivery, the department said in its announcement .
According to Home Affairs , facilitating the switch from green books to smart ID cards will be done in a phased approach to manage the volume of applications effectively:
- Phase 1: Replacing green barcoded ID books of naturalised citizens as well as permanent resident permit holders from the listed 106 countries the list can be accessed here .
- Phase 2: Replacing green barcoded ID books of all those excluded from Phase 1, including those applying for an ID for the first time.
While Phase 2 is currently in the planning stage, naturalised citizens and permanent residents from these visa-exempt countries can access all Home Affairs offices from 8am to 1pm on 24 and 31 May, as part of the Phase 1 rollout.
Applications can be submitted at Live Capture Offices, participating bank branches and via the eHome-Affairs portal, which also allows appointment bookings.