Naturalized citizens to make the big switch from green barcoded ID to a Smart ID.
Naturalised citizens and permanent residents from visa exempt countries can now own a smart ID, Department of Home Affairs announced.
The department has seen high volumes of applications forcing them to divide the process into stages with this mainly focusing on applicants who are in possession of a green barcoded ID and from visa exempted country.
For the first time naturalised citizens and permanent residents can use the eHomeAffairs platform to book appointments. According to The Citizen Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber said “For the first time ever, they will now be able to use eHomeAffairs and obtain Smart IDs like all other eligible persons”
This successful launch comes after months of IT reforms by the department, according to Home Affairs South Africans born abroad and permanent residents had been forced by IT failures to continue using only the green barcoded ID book and excluded them from obtaining Smart ID. Schreiber said a few naturalised citizens were able to obtain Smart ID only after being given permission by the minister and one must follow a tedious manual process.
With the Smart ID deemed more secure option to the green barcoded ID Schreiber expressed his joy at being able to have successful milestone, “This is also a victory for improved national security. Naturalised citizens and permanent residents were the last remaining groups of people eligible for South African ID documents, who were excluded from obtaining Smart IDs.”
The department is planning to increase the number of bank branches that take applications for Smart IDs and passports.
In efforts to manage the highly expected increase in applications the department will extend their operating hours on the following weekends:
17 May 2025: 08:00 – 13:00 (Saturday)
24 May 2025: 08:00 – 13:00 (Saturday)
31 May 2025: 08:00 – 13:00 (Saturday)
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