By Selloane Ntshonyane
- Offices will close at six in the evening during December and January to shorten long queues for holiday travellers.
- People can book online or walk in to fix their smart IDs and passports before the festive rush begins.
Planning to travel home for the holidays? You have a bit more time to sort out your papers.
The Department of Home Affairs has good news for anyone dreading the long queues.
They are keeping their doors open later than usual this festive season.
From 8 to 19 December, selected offices will close at 6pm instead of 4pm. This gives workers a chance to get there after their shift ends.
The department says many people need valid passports and IDs to travel at this time of year.
The longer hours are there to make sure families are not stuck without documents when they need to cross borders or register for school.
The extra hours will also return in the new year. Offices will stay open late again from 5 to 16 January 2026.
This is to help with the rush when schools open and people get back to work.
You can book an appointment online to skip the line. But if you cannot go online, walk-ins are still welcome.
Please check if your local branch is on the list before you go. Only offices that issue Smart IDs and passports are working these extra hours.
Pictured above: A Home Affairs office.
Image source: Home Affairs
