The Department of Home Affairs has announced that naturalised citizens and lawful permanent residents can now apply for Smart ID cards. This new development, which comes into effect from Monday, 12 May 2025, also grants these individuals access to the eHomeAffairs platform.
Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber says technical and administrative barriers have prevented more than 1.4 million eligible individuals from obtaining the more secure Smart ID.
These groups were restricted to using the outdated green bar-coded ID book. Green ID books are often more susceptible to security risks and fraud.
Schreiber attributed the latest reform to the extensive improvements in information technology.
This breakthrough for our digital transformation reforms directly delivers dignity to over 1.4 million people, including hundreds of thousands of South African citizens, who had their dignity infringed for years by being treated unequally,
Previously, a limited number of naturalised citizens could only obtain a Smart ID through a manual process, which required special ministerial approval. Now, all eligible individuals can apply for Smart ID's like any other citizen, through normal channels, including the online eHomeAffairs system.
Advancing National Security and Digital Equality
The Minister said the reform is not only a win for individual dignity, but also a strategic move to enhance national security.
Naturalised citizens and permanent residents were the last remaining groups eligible for South African ID documents who were excluded from obtaining Smart ID's. This change eliminates a long-standing gap and brings us closer to phasing out the green ID book, which is prone to fraud.
Minister Schreiber also confirmed efforts were underway to extend Smart ID and passport application services to more bank branches. This will enhance accessibility to services that could previously only be accessed at a Home Affairs branch.
Now that all citizens and lawful permanent residents are eligible for the Smart ID, what remains is to geographically expand access to all … We are making ever more rapid progress in using digital transformation to deliver Home Affairs @ home.
Home Affairs offices will have extended operating hours to accommodate the expected demand by naturalised citizens and permanent residents wanting to obtain their Smart ID's.
