Home Affairs expands Smart ID banking services

South Africa’s Home Affairs Department has expanded its Smart ID replacement services by 47% in two months, now offering the service at 167 bank branches nationwide. Minister Dr Leon Schreiber announced plans to extend this to at least 750 branches by the end of 2026, as part of a broader digitalization effort to modernize identity services. The new system allows citizens to apply for ID replacements in as little as five minutes without prior bookings or paperwork, leveraging biometric technology to eliminate fraud risks. Over 118,434 applications have already been processed, with the initiative aiming to transition the estimated 16 million South Africans still using Green ID books to Smart IDs. Schreiber highlighted that the Green ID is the most defrauded document on the continent, contributing to financial fraud and identity theft. First-time Smart ID and passport applications will soon be introduced through the banking platform, alongside a new doorstep delivery service for IDs and passports. This marks the first time South Africans can have their documents securely delivered to their homes, reducing the need for in-person collection. The department’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has processed over 75,000 applications since its launch, rejecting nearly 4,500 illegitimate visa requests. The system uses biometric and machine learning technology to verify passport authenticity and strengthen border security, with plans to expand coverage to more countries and visa categories. Additionally, draft regulations for South Africa’s new Digital Identity system were published for public comment until June 6, 2026. The initiative aims to further streamline identity verification processes while enhancing security and accessibility for citizens.