Home Affairs extends office hours during school holidays

The Department of Home Affairs has extended its operating hours during the school holidays to meet the expected increase in demand for services.

From 1 to 21 July 2026, Home Affairs offices will close at 6pm, instead of the usual 4pm, giving learners and other members of the public additional time to apply for and collect Smart ID cards.

The department said the temporary extension forms part of ongoing efforts to improve access to its services and enhance service delivery.

Home Affairs also highlighted recent initiatives aimed at modernising its services, including the expansion of its partnership with the banking sector. The department announced in June that 203 bank branches are now offering selected Home Affairs services through its digital partnership model. More than 250,000 people have already used the service to obtain replacement Smart ID cards since its launch on 9 March.

In addition, the department has introduced an upgraded online booking system on the MyHomeAffairsOnline platform, with enhanced security measures designed to prevent the abuse of booking slots and improve public access to services.

The department has encouraged members of the public to make use of the extended operating hours during the school holiday period.