The Department of Home Affairs will be extending operating hours at its offices by an additional two hours daily for applications and collections of enabling documents. From 8 to 19 December 2025 and from 5 to 16 January 2026, the offices will close at 18:00, instead of 16:00.
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COURTESY: Home Affairs Dept.In a statement, the department said services offered during
the extended hours will be available at offices equipped to process Smart ID
Cards and passports. The department advised clients to book application or
collection appointments before visiting offices, using the Branch Appointment
Booking System (BABS), available on the Home Affairs website. Those without a
booking may still visit offices as walk-ins.
“We remain committed to providing accessible and
people-centred services. With our offices operating on extended hours ahead of
and during the festive season, I encourage South Africans to make use of the
longer opening hours to ensure that their essential documents are up to date,
including travel documents,” said Dr. Leon Schreiber, Home Affairs Minister.
“My message to citizens who have applied for Smart ID Cards
and Passports is that they should take this opportunity to collect their
documents. We now offer dedicated counters for collections as we continue our
journey towards delivering dignity for all,” Schreiber added.
Done By: Elona Sibunzi
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