[makPret]

Hello guys, I collected my PRP today. I am now 18. I now need to apply for ID any idea as to what documents are required?

I heard that before the end of the 24/25 financial year they want to start allowing PRP holders and other groups of citizens to apply for SmartID... Is it best to wait for that to come or should i just apply now?

 

[a4xiaoxiami]

You need an ID book to do a lot of stuff in South Africa. Comparing an ID book, the use of your PRP is much limited in your daily life. There are many occassions, people just don't take your PRP as proof of you residency, such as banks.

So if you can, get an ID book as soon as possible when you get your PRP.

In of the Smart ID, you count on what DHA has indicated about their plan in future? Come on, bro.

 

[makPret]

You need an ID book to do a lot of stuff in South Africa. Comparing an ID book, the use of your PRP is much limited in your daily life. There are many occassions, people just don't take your PRP as proof of you residency, such as banks.

So if you can, get an ID book as soon as possible when you get your PRP.

In of the Smart ID, you count on what DHA has indicated about their plan in future? Come on, bro.

you are right bro... i'm going to apply for ID next week.

 

[tGuy]

people just don't take your PRP as proof of you residency, such as banks

except they do accept PRP though, just need to stand your ground, I know multiple foreigners with temporary residence that have local bank s (not the "non-resident" type of s, real s), my wife was one of them (had an that she ended up closing)

maybe it is not so easy for a foreigner to have that fight alone with a bank, in my case my bank will help her out with a new or I will move my substantial business elsewhere, it's nonsense to deny a permanent resident a bank purely because they don't have an ID

which is not to say I expect it to be easy, but it IS possible, I'm getting ready to have that fight

 

[Da Di]

except they do accept PRP though, just need to stand your ground, I know multiple foreigners with temporary residence that have local bank s (not the "non-resident" type of s, real s), my wife was one of them (had an that she ended up closing)

maybe it is not so easy for a foreigner to have that fight alone with a bank, in my case my bank will help her out with a new or I will move my substantial business elsewhere, it's nonsense to deny a permanent resident a bank purely because they don't have an ID

which is not to say I expect it to be easy, but it IS possible, I'm getting ready to have that fight

Agreed. It seems more "luck of the draw" than it is according to procedure/regulation. The only thing that I know 100% is that you have 6 months to apply for an ID, after collecting your PRP. So even in past years where DHA difficulties were the most severe, people would be holding their PRPs for 7months (and longer!) and still not having their ID books. But because they could produce the ID application receipt from DHA, they could not be held back and continued to navigate through life.

I had a fellow foreigner friend who got her job at one of the big 4 banks with her PRP. She held the job for 8yrs during which she got her first and second cars financed, and her home as well.

I on the other hand, when renewing my driver's license for the 2nd time, was threatened by the senior manager of the particular branch "not to come back here without a PRP and ID because if you've been for 10yrs you're supposed to have permanent residence. Because if you don't, we will not renew your licence". I went to a different branch when the time came to renew again, and only my traffic certificate was asked of me.

Luck of the draw.....

 

[makPret]

I managed to apply for my ID today so how long are they usually taking to come out these days?

 

[Highly Grateful]

I managed to apply for my ID today so how long are they usually taking to come out these days?

 

[Highly Grateful]

Hi
Where did you apply?

 

[ololadekruise]

In Pretoria which are the DHA offices/branches that do I.Ds for PR holders? Does my spouse need to be there, if it's a spousal PR? I hope this is not the case as spouse is away. Anyone who has recent experience, please share. Thank you!

Mabopane office, and its faster since there not many people on the queue

 

[sonasi]

Agreed. It seems more "luck of the draw" than it is according to procedure/regulation. The only thing that I know 100% is that you have 6 months to apply for an ID, after collecting your PRP. So even in past years where DHA difficulties were the most severe, people would be holding their PRPs for 7months (and longer!) and still not having their ID books. But because they could produce the ID application receipt from DHA, they could not be held back and continued to navigate through life.

I had a fellow foreigner friend who got her job at one of the big 4 banks with her PRP. She held the job for 8yrs during which she got her first and second cars financed, and her home as well.

I on the other hand, when renewing my driver's license for the 2nd time, was threatened by the senior manager of the particular branch "not to come back here without a PRP and ID because if you've been for 10yrs you're supposed to have permanent residence. Because if you don't, we will not renew your licence". I went to a different branch when the time came to renew again, and only my traffic certificate was asked of me.

Luck of the draw.....

I was recently told at motor vehicles that I couldn't apply for a license with just a PR certificate and I needed an ID. It's totally possible that it was just that one cashier who didn't know how things worked. Anyways it forced me to finally get the ID book after five years of PR, and I applied for the test successfully. I was always able to get bank s and loans, etc.

But it makes things easier to have an SAID number.

 

[sonasi]

I managed to apply for my ID today so how long are they usually taking to come out these days?

They told me to call after three months. When I called a few days ago they said it had been ready for a month. So it took two months but I never got an SMS or anything. So call DHA and ask after a month or two.

 

[Da Di]

I was recently told at motor vehicles that I couldn't apply for a license with just a PR certificate and I needed an ID. It's totally possible that it was just that one cashier who didn't know how things worked. Anyways it forced me to finally get the ID book after five years of PR, and I applied for the test successfully. I was always able to get bank s and loans, etc.

But it makes things easier to have an SAID number.

Glad to hear that you now have absolutely everything in order as a fellow immigrant here in SA.

Do you mind sharing why you went all those years without applying for an ID? Absolutely my first time hearing that someone spent years without it by choice - it's usually that case that people WAIT for years after applying for it 😅😅. Again, congratulations on getting your ID.

 

[tGuy]

sharing my recent experience in banking with a PR and no South African ID, only tried with 3 banks fwiw:

- Tyme is a no-go, they only have online / app onboarding which starts with an ID number

- Capitec got my blood boiling, staff at two different branches didn't seem to have a clue what a PRP even is and insisted on seeing a work permit ... once you get past that obstacle they insist on a SA ID, I've confirmed with their client care center which had a more informative reply, but still not helpful in our case, you must have a valid port and residence permit, but also a salary slip / employment letter i.e. it can be done without an ID but then you must be employed, or it can be done without employment, but then you must have an ID

- FNB sorted us out immediately, no problem, without any nonsense about work permits or employment or needing an SA ID

 

[Da Di]

sharing my recent experience in banking with a PR and no South African ID, only tried with 3 banks fwiw:

- Tyme is a no-go, they only have online / app onboarding which starts with an ID number

- Capitec got my blood boiling, staff at two different branches didn't seem to have a clue what a PRP even is and insisted on seeing a work permit ... once you get past that obstacle they insist on a SA ID, I've confirmed with their client care center which had a more informative reply, but still not helpful in our case, you must have a valid port and residence permit, but also a salary slip / employment letter i.e. it can be done without an ID but then you must be employed, or it can be done without employment, but then you must have an ID

- FNB sorted us out immediately, no problem, without any nonsense about work permits or employment or needing an SA ID

Thank you for sharing, brother. Glad to hear that you managed to get joy.

How is the ID application going?

 

[tGuy]

Thank you for sharing, brother. Glad to hear that you managed to get joy.

How is the ID application going?

haven't tried applying for an ID yet, we're in two minds with the minster's talk of making smart IDs available to PRP holders at some point: rather wait for that or just do it now with the current system?

 

[Highly Grateful]

sharing my recent experience in banking with a PR and no South African ID, only tried with 3 banks fwiw:

- Tyme is a no-go, they only have online / app onboarding which starts with an ID number

- Capitec got my blood boiling, staff at two different branches didn't seem to have a clue what a PRP even is and insisted on seeing a work permit ... once you get past that obstacle they insist on a SA ID, I've confirmed with their client care center which had a more informative reply, but still not helpful in our case, you must have a valid port and residence permit, but also a salary slip / employment letter i.e. it can be done without an ID but then you must be employed, or it can be done without employment, but then you must have an ID

- FNB sorted us out immediately, no problem, without any nonsense about work permits or employment or needing an SA ID
[why you don’t apply for ID once and for all ?]

 

[Da Di]

haven't tried applying for an ID yet, we're in two minds with the minster's talk of making smart IDs available to PRP holders at some point: rather wait for that or just do it now with the current system?

Ahh, valid point. Rather wait then, for a definite announcement/ directive of the minister. Speaking of which, the last thing he pronounced on the matter was that a trial run has in fact been started. Something along those lines...

 

[makPret]

Yea i was also thinking of waiting till they allow PR holders to get SmartID but then again I thought why wait for something that might not come. I also need my ID to do a lot of things

 

[Da Di]

Yea i was also thinking of waiting till they allow PR holders to get SmartID but then again I thought why wait for something that might not come. I also need my ID to do a lot of things

Good point. I guess it's a matter of what your pressing needs are. If when the time comes you are required to swap the green book for the smart card, then so be it... Some people like the gent on this forum can continue life undisturbed. Others are required to present an ID....

 

[TheSoftwareGuy]

Here are the guidelines for others based on my experience.

Original and Certified copies are required during submission at Eldorado Park DHA.

PRP Original + Certified copy
PRP verification Original + Certified copy
port + Certified copy of front page (Bio)
Birth certificate + Certified copy
Marriage Certificate + Certified copy
Spouse Id/port certified copy
Address proof (required is some office but not in Eldorado Park)

Processing time - 3months
No tracking system. Keep checking with DHA for collection on call.

Note: Lenasia office requires your spouse to be present. Probably the person’s personal requirement as he was very rude to foreigners.

However Eldorado Park doesn’t have any such requirement.

Office around Joburg
Eldorado Park
Lenasia
Orange Farm

Update: Finally I have received my ID after 6month. I applied on 20th June 2024 and received it on 21st Jan 2025. Thank you guys for your and assistance.

This forum has been a great source of information.