The Department of Home Affairs has announced several key developments and service improvements in July 2025. Operating hours for all offices have been extended by two hours daily from 7 to 21 July 2025, with offices closing at 18:00 instead of 16:00 on weekdays. This move is specifically intended to help learners apply for and collect their IDs during the school holidays. Larger offices that handle Smart ID Cards and passports have also set up dedicated counters for collections to streamline service delivery. Clients can book application or collection appointments through the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) on the Department’s website, but walk-ins are also welcome for those unable to book in advance. Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, urged those who have waited three weeks or more for their IDs to use this period to collect their documents conveniently[5][1][7].
Additionally, Home Affairs recently launched a new, world-class identity verification service aimed at both public and private sector users. This system, which went live on 1 July 2025, features a tiered fee structure to incentivize off-peak usage and reduce costs. Clients are encouraged to move verifications from the real-time R10 queue to the R1 off-peak queue for substantial savings. To support users during this transition, the Department is offering a special measure: usage costs for July to September 2025 can be calculated retroactively at the end of October, with any excess payments credited back based on optimized usage. This ensures clients have time to adjust their systems for maximum cost-efficiency while maintaining access to critical verification services[2][4].
Home Affairs is also taking steps to improve service integrity and security. Initiatives like Operation New Broom and new biometric verification measures are being deployed to combat illegal immigration and enhance the reliability of official documentation processes. Notably, the Digital Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) has attracted over 11,000 tourists from China and India in just three months, demonstrating progress in digital visa facilitation. These ongoing initiatives reflect the Department’s commitment to improving both the efficiency and security of its services[1].
References
- [1] Department of Home Affairs – HOME
- [2] Home Affairs successfully launches world-class new identity verification service
- [4] Home Affairs Makes Progress On Identity Verification Service
- [5] Home Affairs extends its operating period by two hours daily from 07 to 21 July 2025
- [7] Home Affairs extends its operating period by two hours daily from 07 to 21 July 2025