Good news for anyone who needs to get a new passport or Smart ID card in South Africa

Minister Leon Schreiber has accelerated digital transformation at Home Affairs, making it easier for South Africans to get a new passport or Smart ID.

This modernisation drive is resolving the historical problems of long queues, system failures, and inefficiency at Home Affairs.

Under Schreiber, Home Affairs is replacing paper-based and manual processes with secure digital systems.

This digital transformation removes human discretion, combats fraud, and makes services more accessible.

This transformation is delivering measurable results. More than 450 participating bank branches now provide access to Smart ID services.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation system, in turn, is using biometrics and machine learning to strengthen immigration security and facilitate legitimate travel.

The upgraded Online Verification System now processes more than 180,000 identity verifications every day, with an error rate below 1%.

Another positive development is that Home Affairs’ system-offline incidents have declined by 61%.

“These reforms demonstrate what is possible when technology is used to digitise old processes and redesign how Home Affairs works,” the DA said in a statement.

“Our ambition is clear: to transform Home Affairs from a laggard into a world leader,” Schreiber said.

“We are harnessing technology to build secure, accessible and efficient civics and immigration services that deliver dignity for all South Africans.”

New, modern Home Affairs office

Last month, Schreiber opened a new modern Home Affairs office at the Cape Town Civic Centre.

The new office advances the vision of Home Affairs @ home by decentralising and expanding access to services closer to where people already visit.

Designed as a modern and welcoming space, it is located alongside existing City services and close to safe public transport options.

The office will operate on a bookings-only basis, enabling clients to plan their visits in advance and avoid unnecessary queues.

Appointments can be made through the Department’s newly-upgraded online booking system at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za.

“For too long, visiting Home Affairs has been associated with travelling long distances, standing in queues, and losing hours of your day,” he said.

“Through our ambitious reform agenda, we are rapidly changing that experience, including here in Cape Town.”