South Africa Green ID Phase-Out: Home Affairs Announces End of Booklet Production by 2027

PRETORIA, Gauteng — The South Africa green ID phase-out is officially underway, with the Department of Home Affairs confirming it will halt production of the iconic green booklet in March 2027. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced the milestone as part of a broader “quantum leap” toward modernizing the country’s identification systems, enhancing security, and eradicating identity fraud.

Currently, 14.7 million South Africans still rely on the green ID book. While the physical booklets will cease production in March 2027, they will remain legally valid until March 2028. Schreiber noted that citizens can keep their old green IDs as memorabilia or frame them, but he strongly urged the remaining users to transition to the new Smart ID card before the final deadline.

Security Upgrades and the Digital ID “Quantum Leap”

The transition moves the country from a legacy two-tier system (the book and the card) to a modernized dual system consisting of the Smart ID card and a new Digital ID.

Schreiber highlighted that the green booklet is highly vulnerable to manipulation, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence, due to its manual photograph and physical format. He noted that the legacy document remains the primary source of identity theft and financial fraud in the country, and studies indicate it is the most defrauded document on the African continent.

To combat this, the upcoming Digital ID will function similarly to online banking. It will utilize biometric security and be stored in a digital wallet on mobile devices, protected by the highest-standard secure chips available. If a phone is lost or stolen, the digital ID can be unbound and transferred to a new device, ensuring the same level of security citizens expect from modern mobile banking.

Streamlined Applications via Bank Branches

To facilitate the massive switch, Home Affairs has partnered with the banking sector, expanding Smart ID applications to 515 branches nationwide. This initiative has already processed 822,000 applications in just six months, prioritizing the 90 locations where Home Affairs offices were previously unable to issue the cards.

The new application process is highly streamlined. Schreiber emphasized that there are no queues, no bookings, and no paperwork. Applicants simply walk into a participating bank, use a fingerprint scanner and camera to verify their identity, and complete the process in five minutes without the need for an intermediary official.

Fees for the Smart ID remain R140 for standard applicants. However, first-time applicants and seniors over the age of 60 are completely exempt from paying any fees.

Upgrades for Special Cohorts and Blocked IDs

Before the March 2027 production halt, the department is finalizing crucial IT upgrades to allow naturalized citizens, permanent residents, and South Africans living abroad to apply for Smart IDs. Previously, the IT system was not enabled to process these cohorts, resulting in expats still receiving the green booklet.

Additionally, the department has made significant progress in tackling the backlog of blocked IDs. The number of blocked identities has been reduced from a peak of over 700,000 to approximately 200,000. Schreiber noted that the remaining cases are highly suspicious and are being closely investigated. Authorities are determining whether these cases involve victims of identity theft, illegal foreigners using stolen identities, or deceased individuals whose IDs remain fraudulently active.

Aggressive Anti-Corruption and Cultural Shift

A major component of the department’s transformation is a systemic anti-corruption crackdown. Schreiber revealed that 144 officials have been dismissed, with dozens of arrests and 10 convictions secured in the last two years. Furthermore, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is actively probing 20 years of visa fraud spanning from 2004 to 2024.

By automating processes and removing human discretion, the new digital systems are designed to eliminate the physical loopholes previously exploited for bribery.

To secure borders, a dedicated border management and immigration anti-corruption forum has been established. Involving Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority (BMA), the SIU, the Hawks, and prosecuting authorities, the forum meets regularly to track case loads and expedite prosecutions. As a deterrent, the department has even brought imprisoned corrupt officials to ports of entry, such as OR Tambo International Airport, to warn current staff about the severe consequences of taking bribes.

Alongside the ID transition, the department has successfully launched an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which is now live in 53 countries. Schreiber emphasized that these technological and systemic upgrades are underpinned by a profound cultural shift within Home Affairs, focusing heavily on accountability, rewarding innovation, and building a unified team spirit to deliver world-class services to South Africans.