Smart ID rollout forges ahead

Home Affairs moves to offer smart ID applications at more bank branches

May 20, 2026

Gugu Myeni 1 minute read

Home Affairs digitalisation progress outlined PHOTO: Flickr

The Department of Home Affairs has announced it will roll out smart ID applications to at least 750 more bank branches by the end of this year.

This amid ongoing efforts to phase out the green ID book, which 16 million citizens still use.

“The green ID is the most defrauded document on the African continent, and sits at the heart of financial fraud and identity theft in our country.

“For the first time, Home Affairs now has a clear roadmap to ensure every South African is able to switch to a smart ID, which will enable us to finally end the recognition of the green ID book as a valid form of identification,” said Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.

The minister was delivering the department’s budget vote last week, highlighting recent efforts to ensure all South Africans migrate to smart ID cards.

“By digitalising the long-standing partnership between Home Affairs and the banking sector, we have already expanded access to smart ID replacement services by a staggering 47% just two months after the system went live,” he said.

“After only eight weeks, 167 bank branches across the length and breadth of South Africa now offer smart ID replacement services, with more branches going live every week. Through this new model, the smart ID application process has been completely digitalised.”

He said, over the next few weeks, the department will also roll out first-time smart ID and passport applications through the partnership with the banking sector.

“We will also introduce doorstep delivery of IDs and passports for the first time in South African history,” he said.

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