Zuko Komisa

The Department of Home Affairs has announced an extension of its operating hours on Saturdays throughout May to accommodate the increasing demand for Smart ID cards from naturalised citizens and permanent residents hailing from visa-exempt countries.
Effective from Saturday, 17 May, and continuing until Saturday, 31 May 2025, selected Home Affairs front offices will remain open for an additional five hours each Saturday.
This means that eligible individuals can visit these offices between 8AM and 1PM to apply for their Smart ID cards.
In an official statement, the Department of Home Affairs explained that these extended hours are specifically aimed at facilitating the processing of Smart ID card applications for naturalised citizens and permanent residents from designated countries who currently possess the older green barcoded ID books.
The #DHA is proudly rolling Smart ID Cards for naturalised South African citizens and permanent residents. This process will be phased and phase 1 will be limited to those from listed countries. Click here for more info: https://t.co/8AuQzMexrK #SmartIDCard pic.twitter.com/DBV77Ys4k5
— HomeAffairsSA 🇿🇦 (@HomeAffairsSA) May 16, 2025
A comprehensive list of the eligible visa-exempt countries for naturalised citizens and permanent residents can be accessed at: https://bit.ly/smartidcards-naturalised-and-pr.
READ NEXT: Phelo Bala kicks off fitness challenge following rehab stay



