South Africa: Home Affairs Extends Operating Hours Ahead of Festive Season

5 December 2025
SAnews.gov.za (Tshwane)

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.

Services offered during the extended hours will be available at offices equipped to process Smart ID Cards and passports.

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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," Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said.

He said the extended hours will go a long way in assisting people to get the documents they need to spend precious time with friends and family, and to prepare for the New Year.

Schreiber officially launched the Travel Ready Campaign last month at the new Baywest Mall Home Affairs office in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

"I salute the commitment of members of #TeamHomeAffairs who will be working longer hours to ensure that South Africans can enjoy their festive season with friends and family.

"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 concluded.

Read the original article on SAnews.gov.za.

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