Government

Important update about green ID books in South Africa

Staff Writer

 ·23 Apr 2026

The Department of Home Affairs has tabled its strategic plan for 2026/27, updating its key targets for getting rid of the green barcoded ID book in South Africa.

As part of its previous plans, the DHA set a target to discontinue issuing green ID books by the end of 2029, with the identity document replaced by the new Smart ID.

In its latest plan, the discontinuation of the green ID has now been set as a mid-term goal, with the new end-term goal (2029) being universal enrolment into a digital smart ID system.

The key difference in this change is that the DHA is now rapidly moving towards a single identity that serves as the official form of ID in South Africa, accessible through various channels.

This includes the piloting of a “digital twin” for the smart ID. For this to be achieved, the old green barcoded ID needs to be discontinued sooner, rather than later.

According to the DHA, the new goal of universal enrolment in the smart ID system refers to all South African citizens, naturalised citizens and permanent residence holders being issued with the single ID by the end of 2029.

“The target has a critical role to play in the discontinuation of the green barcoded ID book,” it said.

“A critical priority for the DHA is to replace the Green ID books with smart ID cards for all eligible applicants. The DHA will discontinue the issuance of Green ID books in the foreseeable future.”

To this point, the DHA said it is in the process of putting in place “key enablers” that will make this possible.

This includes forming partnerships with the private sector, such as its recent rollout of Smart ID processing across over 180 bank branches.

The department said forming partnerships with the banking and private sectors—such as opening DHA offices in shopping malls—increases its capacity to issue Smart IDs.

“The partnerships with banks will go a long way to address the lack of live capture functionality at non-modernised offices, especially in rural areas,” it said.

“The deployment of the 220 mobile office fleet will contribute to this area.”

Fast-tracking Smart ID ahead of digital ID

The DHA said it is engaging in an “accelerated rollout of the smart ID card system” so that it can get the newer identity to all eligible citizens, naturalised citizens and permanent residents.

The main aim, it said, is to ensure eligible citizens and other applicants have smart ID cards as the department prepares to introduce digital identity and e-Passports by 2029.

As part of the DHA’s strategic plan 2025-2030, the department said it was working to introduce a National Digital Identity (NDI) platform that combines biometric verification and mobile authentication.

“The ultimate objective is to enable citizens to transact with the state online, without the need to visit physical offices,” it said.

The DHA intends to develop a Digital ID system to enhance the accessibility of government products and services on a digital platform, thereby allowing citizens to store digital identity credentials on smartphones for online and offline authentication.

The department said that the development of a Digital Identity Policy is already progressing.

Along with the discontinuation of the green barcoded ID, the creation of a Digital ID and the launch of a Digital wallet are also set as mid-term goals.

By the end of 2029, it envisions 15 additional documents/credentials being added to the wallet.

The Government Printing Works (GPW) said that it will collaborate with the DHA in 2026/27 to conceptualise and design the digital identity document for implementation within the medium-term period.

This includes the e-Passport which it has been conceptualising with the DHA over the past few years. However, this doesn’t mean physical documents will be disappearing any time soon.

“GPW’s dual strategic intent continues to focus on delivering both physical and digital products,” it said.

“This means that while the organisation continues to print secure State security documents and provide commercial products, it will also leverage technology to offer digital products and services to its customers more effectively and efficiently.”

The DHA said it is envisioning that, in the future, South African identity could be electronically verified in a manner that cannot be forged or tampered with.