Home Affairs Minister directs efforts to reducing red tape, digitalisation
Official source
Source domain: sanews.gov.za
Collected on 23 July 2026
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Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for travel applications (piloted and expanding)
Travellers can apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which uses machine learning, biometric verification and automated risk analysis; it has already processed more than 203 000 applications and rejected fraudulent applications, and it will be expanded to additional countries and visa categories.
- Who it is for
- Travellers applying for ETA (initially from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico) and later additional countries/visa categories
- How to act on it
- Submit an ETA application through the ETA system for the relevant country/visa category.
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The ETA, initially piloted for travellers from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico, has already processed more than 203 000 applications, according to the Minister.
Smart ID Card applications at participating bank branches (no paperwork or appointments)
South Africans can apply for Smart ID Cards at participating bank branches without paperwork or appointments through a partnership with the banking sector.
- Who it is for
- South Africans applying for Smart ID Cards
- How to act on it
- Apply for a Smart ID Card at participating bank branches (no paperwork or appointments).
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A key part of the programme has been a partnership with the banking sector, which has enabled South Africans to apply for Smart ID Cards at participating bank branches without paperwork or appointments.
Courier delivery of IDs and passports to homes (before end of 2026)
Citizens will have the option of having their IDs and passports delivered by courier to their homes before the end of 2026.
- Who it is for
- Citizens who want IDs and passports delivered to their homes
- How to act on it
- Use the courier delivery option for IDs and passports to have them delivered to your home (option available before the end of 2026).
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Schreiber said citizens would additionally have the option of having their IDs and passports delivered by courier to their homes before the end of 2026.
Trusted Employer Scheme participation (apply by 4 September)
Companies can apply to participate in the Trusted Employer Scheme, which has been broadened to include major infrastructure projects, headquarters companies in South Africa and the financial services sector, and is being streamlined through reduced red tape and greater digitalisation.
- Who it is for
- Companies interested in participating in the Trusted Employer Scheme
- How to act on it
- Apply to participate in the Trusted Employer Scheme by the stated deadline.
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Companies interested in participating have until 4 September to apply.
Replacement Smart ID services at expanded locations and bank branches
Citizens can obtain replacement Smart IDs at an increased number of locations, including Home Affairs sites and an expected expansion to more than 750 bank branches offering services by the end of the year.
- Who it is for
- Citizens needing replacement Smart IDs
- How to act on it
- Obtain a replacement Smart ID at the increased Home Affairs sites or at bank branches that offer the service.
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The number of locations where citizens can obtain replacement Smart IDs has increased from 214 Home Affairs offices to 541 sites, with more than 750 bank branches expected to offer services by the end of the year.
ETA expansion to additional countries and visa categories (including study visas by end of the year)
The ETA system will be expanded to additional countries and visa categories, with study visas expected to be added by the end of the year.
- Who it is for
- Travellers from additional countries and applicants for additional visa categories (including study visas)
- How to act on it
- Apply for ETA for the newly added countries and visa categories once the expansion is implemented.
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Schreiber said the system would be expanded to additional countries and visa categories, with study visas among the categories expected to be added by the end of the year.
Voluntary Digital ID system (secure digital versions on mobile devices)
South Africans will eventually be able to access secure digital versions of Home Affairs documents on their mobile devices through a voluntary Digital ID system, while retaining the option of using physical identity documents.
- Who it is for
- South Africans who want secure digital versions of Home Affairs documents
- How to act on it
- Access secure digital versions of Home Affairs documents on mobile devices using the voluntary Digital ID system (when available).
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Schreiber said South Africans would eventually be able to access secure digital versions of Home Affairs documents on their mobile devices, while retaining the option of using physical identity documents.
Passports and first-time Smart ID applications at participating bank branches (by end of the year)
By the end of the year, passports and first-time Smart ID applications for adults and minors are expected to become available at participating bank branches.
- Who it is for
- Adults and minors applying for first-time Smart IDs, and people applying for passports
- How to act on it
- Apply for passports and first-time Smart ID at participating bank branches once the service becomes available.
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By the end of the year, passports and first-time Smart ID applications for adults and minors are also expected to become available at participating bank branches.
Facts
Reference
GOVNEWS-83019 at https://www.sanews.gov.za
Key Takeaways
- Minister: Leon Schreiber (Home Affairs)
- Event: Xpatweb Annual Global Mobility Conference
- Date of article: Wednesday, 22 July 2026
- Trusted Employer Scheme expansion includes major infrastructure projects, HQ companies, and financial services sector
- Trusted Employer Scheme applications deadline: 4 September (year not explicitly stated, article dated 22 July 2026)
- Smart ID Card applications via banking partnership: 422 119 processed in just over four months
- Replacement Smart ID service locations: increased from 214 Home Affairs offices to 541 sites; 750+ bank branches expected by end of year
- By end of 2026: passports and first-time Smart ID applications for adults and minors expected at participating bank branches
- By end of 2026: option for courier delivery of IDs and passports to homes
- ETA processed more than 203 000 applications; more than 5 700 fraudulent applications rejected
- ETA initially piloted for travellers from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico
- ETA expansion planned to additional countries and visa categories; study visas expected by end of year
- Extension module: qualifying visitors already in South Africa can apply digitally for an additional 90 days
- Cabinet adopted the Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection
- Legislation to give effect to revised policy framework intended for introduction in Parliament at the beginning of the next financial year
- Home Affairs
- Leon Schreiber
- Xpatweb Annual Global Mobility Conference
- Trusted Employer Scheme
- Smart ID Cards
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
- Cabinet
- Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection
- SAnews.gov.za
- Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
Dates
Opening Date
22 July 2026
Closing Date
22 July 2026