South Africans are urge to collect their smart IDs.
Home Affairs says Smart ID applications take five minutes — but how long does it really take? Here’s what South Africans need to know
The Department of Home Affairs has often promoted its upgraded system for Smart ID applications as a quick, streamlined process that can take as little as five minutes at the counter. But while the actual biometric capture may be fast, the entire experience can take much longer.
When Home Affairs refers to a five-minute application time, it usually means the in-office data capture stage only.
This means refer to fingerprints scans, an awkward photo taken and basic details are confirmed on the system.
