South Africa: Home Affairs Minister Directs Efforts to Reducing Red Tape, Digitalisation

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a SAnews.gov.za report from Tshwane, reported that Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says South Africa is moving faster toward a “digital-first” Home Affairs department. Speaking at the Xpatweb Annual Global Mobility Conference on Tuesday, Schreiber said the department is shifting from planning to delivery, with reforms aimed at cutting red tape and supporting investment, tourism, skills mobility and wider economic growth.

The report said the department has expanded its Trusted Employer Scheme to cover major infrastructure projects, companies setting up headquarters in South Africa and the financial services sector. Applications for interested companies are open until 4 September. Schreiber also pointed to the Home Affairs @ home programme, which uses technology and partnerships to make services available outside Home Affairs offices, including through participating bank branches.

According to the minister, 422,119 Smart ID applications were processed through the banking partnership in just over four months. Replacement Smart ID access has grown from 214 Home Affairs offices to 541 sites, with more than 750 bank branches expected to participate by year-end. The department also expects passports and first-time Smart ID applications for adults and minors to become available at participating banks, and courier delivery of IDs and passports before the end of 2026.

On immigration, SAnews reported that the Electronic Travel Authorisation system has handled more than 203,000 applications in an initial pilot for travellers from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico, rejecting over 5,700 suspected fraudulent applications. Schreiber said the system will expand to more countries and visa types, including study visas, while Cabinet’s revised policy framework is expected to be followed by legislation early in the next financial year.