Home Affairs to retire green ID book as smart ID rollout accelerates
The green ID book will be phased out in the coming months, partly because it is highly susceptible to fraud and identity theft.
South Africa is finally phasing out its iconic green barcoded ID book.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced during the 2025/26 budget vote speech that the department will stop producing the green ID book within months, citing its high risk of fraud and identity theft.
“The green ID book is 500% more vulnerable to fraud,” Schreiber said in Parliament.
“It must go.”
Although the department has not yet announced a final invalidation date, it aims to end production by the end of 2025, though it’s still unclear whether this refers to the calendar year or the financial year.
Major hurdle
Currently, 101 out of 348 Home Affairs offices still lack the necessary equipment to issue smart ID cards, leaving the department reliant on outdated forms of identification.
Acknowledging the funding shortfall, Schreiber said, “If we wait for money to upgrade every office, we’ll wait forever.”
To tackle this issue, the department plans to fast-track its partnership with commercial banks, aiming to increase the number of bank branches issuing smart IDs from 30 to 130 by March 2026.
Through this rollout, clients can apply for smart IDs and passports using banking apps and choose home delivery, supported by facial recognition technology for security.
Digital ID on the horizon
Schreiber also announced plans to launch a fully digital ID system. The department aims to ensure that every citizen and permanent resident has a smart ID card by 2029, after which it will roll out digital identity documents accessible through smart devices. It will soon submit the Digital ID Policy to Cabinet for approval before opening it up for public comment.
Relief for South Africans abroad
Schreiber also announced improved turnaround times for South Africans living abroad, many of whom currently wait more than a year for ID documents.
The department will launch new international facilities by the end of July 2025, starting in Australia, New Zealand, and the UAE, with additional sites in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and North America to follow.
These centres will offer a five-week turnaround for IDs and passports.
At a glance: What’s changing
- Green ID book production ends by end of 2025
- Bank branches issuing smart IDs to expand to 130
- Smart ID & passport orders via banking apps, with home delivery option
- Digital ID system in development
- Overseas services to speed up to 5-week turnaround