The overlooked South Africans still struggling to get Smart IDs

The Department of Home Affairs is encouraging residents to apply for their new smart ID cards The Department of Home Affairs has repeatedly encouraged South Africans to move to Smart ID cards, describing them as more secure and less vulnerable to fraud. However, for years, many naturalised citizens and lawful permanent residents were unable to obtain Smart IDs due to system limitations. Following recent reporting on the green ID phase-out, readers contactedIOLraising concerns that the issue extends beyond elderly South Africans and citizens living abroad.

One reader noted that there are many legal residents who have the green books but are foreign nationals. Last year, Home Affairs announced that naturalised citizens and permanent residents would finally be allowed to apply for Smart IDs. The rollout initially applied only to applicants from visa-exempt countries, leaving uncertainty for many others.

While the department has indicated that the system would later expand to include applicants from non-visa-exempt countries, questions remain over timelines, eligibility and how affected residents should navigate the transition. The uncertainty has fuelled anxiety among some permanent residents who increasingly encounter digital systems that prioritise Smart IDs. Currently, Home Affairs has not announced an immediate cancellation date for green ID books but affected residents say clearer communication is urgently needed.

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Among the questions still facing many permanent residents are whether all permanent residents will eventually qualify for Smart IDs, when applications from non-visa-exempt countries will fully open, whether green IDs will remain valid until every eligible holder has transitioned, and whether banks and institutions will continue accepting green ID books during the transition period. The Department of Home Affairs has previously stated that the move to Smart IDs forms part of a broader effort to modernise the national identification system and combat fraud.

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