Pretoria, South Africa – Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, has revealed a five-year plan to transition the department into a fully digital service provider. Announced during the Government of National Unity’s 100-day milestone, the plan aims to make Home Affairs services accessible online, eliminating the need for in-person visits by 2029.
The initiative, titled “Home Affairs @ home,” seeks to digitise routine services such as applications for IDs, passports, and certificates. Citizens will apply through a secure online platform, with applications processed automatically unless flagged for further review. Approved documents will be delivered directly to applicants, both within South Africa and abroad, with digital formats planned for the future.
The plan extends to immigration services, requiring visitors to apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) via the same platform. Biometrics will be used for identity verification, replacing traditional visas with a unique digital code. This code, along with biometric data, will be verified at the point of entry.
Schreiber also stressed that the digital overhaul is necessary to enhance national security. The system will integrate biometric data and cross-reference visa applications with international criminal databases to detect fraud. It will monitor visa overstay violations in real-time, notifying authorities of any breaches.
