South Africa moves to replace Green ID books with Smart IDs

South Africa will cease the production of Green ID books by March 2027 and require holders to transition to Smart ID cards within the following year, as the government accelerates efforts to digitize identity services and document all undocumented citizens by the end of 2029.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber announced the changes during the Home Affairs Quantum Leap event at Constitution Hill, highlighting a shift towards digital public services that can be accessed through smartphones and participating bank branches.

The department plans to decommission the machines used to produce Green ID books by 31 March 2027. The estimated 14.7 million citizens and permanent residents who still use the document will have an additional 12 months to obtain Smart ID cards. From 31 March 2028, the Green ID book will no longer be accepted as a valid identification document under the announced plan.

To support the transition, the department is expanding access to Smart ID services outside traditional Home Affairs offices. A total of 515 bank branches currently provide biometric Smart ID replacement services, which have been used by more than 822,500 people. The government also aims to increase the number of participating service points to more than 1,000 by the end of 2026.

The expansion is expected to include first-time Smart ID and passport applications, as well as secure courier delivery of documents, reducing the need for applicants to visit Home Affairs offices in person.

Schreiber also announced plans to introduce a nationwide documentation campaign during the 2028/29 financial year. The initiative will target undocumented South African citizens through a review of late birth registration and documentation procedures, supported by mobile biometric technology designed to reach communities across the country. The government aims to ensure every South African citizen is formally documented by the end of 2029.

The department is simultaneously developing a smartphone-based Digital ID system. Schreiber said a working prototype had been developed, while public feedback on the draft regulations was being processed. The proposed system will be voluntary, allowing people to continue using physical Smart ID cards, with the final regulations expected to establish safeguards governing the use of personal information.

South Africa is also expanding its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) platform, which currently accepts short-stay visa applications from 53 countries. The department expects to introduce additional visa categories, including study and work visas, in early 2027. The digital platform is intended to improve identity verification and reduce processing delays, with some approved applications reportedly processed within 24 hours.

Other planned changes include moving applications for birth, marriage and death certificates to digital channels, with access through participating bank branches. The department is also exploring biometric birth registration in partnership with public and private healthcare providers and developing a new electronic passport with enhanced biometric security.

Beyond digital services, the government plans to invest R12.5 billion (approximately $694 million) through a public-private partnership to reconstruct South Africa’s six busiest land ports of entry as no-stop border posts. Automated gates are also being considered as part of efforts to modernize border operations.

The department has additionally reported 144 dismissals, 73 arrests and 10 convictions across Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority since July 2024, reflecting ongoing efforts to address corruption and misconduct.

Ultimately, the measures fall under the department’s “Home Affairs @ home” vision, which seeks to make government services more accessible by reducing dependence on physical offices and expanding the use of digital systems.

Real ESG impact doesn’t happen in panels alone, it happens in the rooms where financiers, operators, and policymakers actually align. Our GreenShift Forum 2026 cuts the noise, bringing together the people rewiring Africa’s sustainability and energy frameworks for one focused day in Nairobi. Secure your seat.

Go to TECHTRENDSKE.co.ke for more tech and business news from the African continent and across the world.

Follow us on WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to info@techtrendsmedia.co.ke