[GeorgeTower]

I have a question about applying for an ID as a new PR holder.

I got my PR last year after waiting for 6 years - it is based on me being married to my SA wife.

I now need to get an ID as for me to get a job in SA I apparently need one (I work in aviation and the companies insist on it).

As I understand it PR holders can now get the new ID cards and not the old green book? Is this correct?

I also understand that the PR Certificate if issued recently does NOT need to be verified? Is this correct?

I also believe that there can be a delay as they have to verify the marriage - again if they were not doing this during the course of the lengthy PR application what the hell were they doing...I did however get married in SA and have a DHA issued marriage certificate so this should not be a problem.

Finally we are told that all appointments must be made online - it is impossible to make an appointment online as to create an account you need an ID number. The circular logic (stupidity) is baffling. I have got my wife making an appointment at a remote location in the Western Cape as there are just no appointments available at the branches close to our family home.

 

[Pi Caso]

I have a question about applying for an ID as a new PR holder.

I got my PR last year after waiting for 6 years - it is based on me being married to my SA wife.

I now need to get an ID as for me to get a job in SA I apparently need one (I work in aviation and the companies insist on it).

As I understand it PR holders can now get the new ID cards and not the old green book? Is this correct?

I also understand that the PR Certificate if issued recently does NOT need to be verified? Is this correct?

I also believe that there can be a delay as they have to verify the marriage - again if they were not doing this during the course of the lengthy PR application what the hell were they doing...I did however get married in SA and have a DHA issued marriage certificate so this should not be a problem.

Finally we are told that all appointments must be made online - it is impossible to make an appointment online as to create an account you need an ID number. The circular logic (stupidity) is baffling. I have got my wife making an appointment at a remote location in the Western Cape as there are just no appointments available at the branches close to our family home.

I can't speak to most of your questions, but I do know that the new ID cards are only for Permanent residents whose country of origin is visa-exempt to South Africa. All others must still apply for the green ID book. I've read on this forum where people stated that even for those permanent residents eligible for the new smart IDs, you are required to first get a green ID book, then convert to the smart one (I am not 100% sure about this, as I have just read it on this forum).

I am also trying to apply for a green ID book in the Western Cape. Do you know which Home Affairs offices in the Western Cape I can do such an application at? They do not pick up the phone, so getting information is hard.

 

[GeorgeTower]

It does seem a very arse about face way of going about it but given DHA's track record it's hardly surprising

 

[twrist]

It does seem a very arse about face way of going about it but given DHA's track record it's hardly surprising

When I applied for my ID last November (still waiting...) it was certainly the case that we needed to apply for a green book before we could apply for a Smart ID - that may not be the case any more (in which case I'm envious!), but it's worth nothing that only a few Home Affairs offices are still able to process books - when I applied it was Belville, Caledon or Malmesbury, so I went to Belville.

You're quite right that they verify your marriage again for the ID (yes, even though they have just done it for your PR permit), and this sometimes takes some time, for reasons only known to Home Affairs. Realistically, given that there is an expectation that all PR holders apply for an ID, it's a mystery to me why they don't issue the ID at the same time as the permit, given they already have all the relevant information, but here we are.

 

[GeorgeTower]

When I applied for my ID last November (still waiting...) it was certainly the case that we needed to apply for a green book before we could apply for a Smart ID - that may not be the case any more (in which case I'm envious!), but it's worth nothing that only a few Home Affairs offices are still able to process books - when I applied it was Belville, Caledon or Malmesbury, so I went to Belville.

You're quite right that they verify your marriage again for the ID (yes, even though they have just done it for your PR permit), and this sometimes takes some time, for reasons only known to Home Affairs. Realistically, given that there is an expectation that all PR holders apply for an ID, it's a mystery to me why they don't issue the ID at the same time as the permit, given they already have all the relevant information, but here we are.

I had heard that....our closest is Wynberg but they don't do the books. It's such a farce, trying to get an appointment at the branches you mention is impossible during the short time I'm back in SA as I've been forced to work abroad.

 

[tafadzwagonera]

Yes. I submitted my application in mid-November last year.

I called DHA today and was informed that my application has now moved to the marriage section from the first-issue stage. I know this stage can take months, humph! But, I’m relieved that the application has finally gained traction again. Still, at this pace, I’m not sure if I should expect to receive my ID in the first half of next year. Fingers crossed. This is taking forever.

 

[makPret]

I'm happy to report my ID is finally out after like what 10 months? All that needs to be done is collect it then i'm immediately applying for a smart card ID and getting started on the process to get my licesne 💪🏾

 

[Blissful Scent]

@ MakPret …Wow, A big congratulations to you. I think you applied before me. I'm now waiting for 9 Months, I call them every 2 weeks and I believe soon it will be out. Will keep everyone posted. Thanks for the update

 

[Pi Caso]

When I applied for my ID last November (still waiting...) it was certainly the case that we needed to apply for a green book before we could apply for a Smart ID - that may not be the case any more (in which case I'm envious!), but it's worth nothing that only a few Home Affairs offices are still able to process books - when I applied it was Belville, Caledon or Malmesbury, so I went to Belville.

You're quite right that they verify your marriage again for the ID (yes, even though they have just done it for your PR permit), and this sometimes takes some time, for reasons only known to Home Affairs. Realistically, given that there is an expectation that all PR holders apply for an ID, it's a mystery to me why they don't issue the ID at the same time as the permit, given they already have all the relevant information, but here we are.

What were the requirements for the ID at Bellville? And were the queues long there?

 

[bunnyMan]

What were the requirements for the ID at Bellville? And were the queues long there?

@ ID phostos, certfied copies of your passport, certified copies of your PRP, Marriage Certificate if you are married even if it is Critical Skills PR. Good luck. Go there in the morning, I arrived there at 6 AM. There was a queue already left around 10.45 but the people are quite friendly. Good luck.

 

[bunnyMan]

I'm happy to report my ID is finally out after like what 10 months? All that needs to be done is collect it then i'm immediately applying for a smart card ID and getting started on the process to get my licesne 💪🏾

Was this Spousal or Critical Skills ? Were you married too? Just asking to know the timelines.

 

[Pi Caso]

@ ID phostos, certfied copies of your passport, certified copies of your PRP, Marriage Certificate if you are married even if it is Critical Skills PR. Good luck. Go there in the morning, I arrived there at 6 AM. There was a queue already left around 10.45 but the people are quite friendly. Good luck.

Thank you so much

 

[moughtibridge]

I can't speak to most of your questions, but I do know that the new ID cards are only for Permanent residents whose country of origin is visa-exempt to South Africa. All others must still apply for the green ID book. I've read on this forum where people stated that even for those permanent residents eligible for the new smart IDs, you are required to first get a green ID book, then convert to the smart one (I am not 100% sure about this, as I have just read it on this forum).

I am also trying to apply for a green ID book in the Western Cape. Do you know which Home Affairs offices in the Western Cape I can do such an application at? They do not pick up the phone, so getting information is hard.

You need to apply at a non computerised DHA office. Swellendam is probably best. You need to call them and make an appointment.

 

[bunnyMan]

Thank you so much

I'm happy to report my ID is finally out after like what 10 months? All that needs to be done is collect it then i'm immediately applying for a smart card ID and getting started on the process to get my licesne 💪🏾

Congratulations are in order sir. How did you know it was ready? Did you get an SMS.