News of citizens requiring mandatory Smart ID Cards before 2028 is arguably the biggest administrative shake up in government history. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) announced the timeline for the end of the green ID book on 1 October 2026. That equates to roughly 865 000 ID upgrades per month.

Production of the old ID documents ends on 31 March 2027. The machines will be permanently decommissioned. And every South African must have their Smart ID Cards before 2028 – specifically 31 March 2028 – when the booklets cease being valid.

SMART ID CARDS BEFORE 2028

But there’s actually good news for the roughly 14.7-million South Africans who still need to make the upgrade, including naturalised citizens. Previously you could only apply online through eHomeAffairs, before performing biometrics in-person. Now, however, all of the 515 participating bank branches offering DHA services take walk-ins, too.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says the HomeAffairs@Home scheme is gathering momentum. Six months ago, 16-million citizens and permanent residents needed to upgrade. That figure has been slashed by 1.3 million in just a matter of months, with 822 000 of those using banks. Schreiber also reminded everyone that the old green book is the most forged document in Africa. Once it lapses, it will no longer be accepted by banks and other institutions as valid identification.

WHAT ABOUT NATURALISED CITIZENS? March 2027, the ID booklet machines will be decommissioned. March 2028, the documents will become invalid. Image: File

As The South African is reminded ceaselessly by readers – naturalised citizens and permanent residents have long struggled to get access to Smart IDs Cards. Nevertheless, Schreiber says Home Affairs will ‘enable the remaining cohort’ before 31 March 2027.

Moreover, the biggest development in the race to Smart ID Cards before 2028 is that you no longer need an online appointment. Latest DHA purports that 515 bank branches now offer walk-in smart ID replacements, taking as little as five minutes. Better still, the DHA plans more than 1 000 service points by the beginning of 2027.

HOW TO UPGRADE SMART ID CARDS BEFORE 2028

Banks connect directly to Home Affairs through a digital gateway, so you don’t need to go through the eHomeAffairs portal first. However, if you simply walk-in, you still need to have all your paperwork in order. This means:

  • Bring your original ID book, unless it’s lost or stolen.
  • A SAPS case number if your card was lost or stolen.
  • Your cellphone for SMS/WhatsApp updates.
  • First-time applicants and pensioners aged 60 and over pay nothing. Green-book upgrades and replacements are R140.

After you’ve been processed, the DHA says the average wait is about 13 days. But some branches ask that you allow up to four weeks. A temporary ID certificate can cover the gap if, for example, you need one for voting in next month’s local government elections …

But what do you think? Do you think government will keep up with the demand the smart ID card before 2028? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …