South Africa Home Affairs: Major Achievements in the Minister’s First Year of Office

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past year under the leadership of the new Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber. With a determined push to digitise and modernise immigration and civic services, the Department has taken meaningful steps toward a future where government services are faster, more secure and easier to access for both citizens and foreign nationals.

A vision for digital reform

The Minister’s “Home Affairs @ Home” programme aims to replace paper-based, centralised service delivery with decentralised, technology-driven solutions. This reform agenda places digital transformation at its core, with the goal of delivering dignity, transparency and efficiency to millions of users. It is the most ambitious overhaul of Home Affairs since 1994.

Key milestones in the first year

Record Smart ID issuance

Nearly 3.6 million Smart IDs were issued in the year, a record figure that outpaces prior annual totals by almost half a million. Eligibility was expanded to naturalised citizens and South African permanent residents, helping to reduce reliance on the older green ID book and lowering identity-fraud risk.

Clearing a decade-old visa backlog

The Department finalised more than 306,000 outstanding visa applications, some of which had been pending for over a decade. Clearing this backlog improves processing times and supports economic activity by enabling more people to live, work and invest in South Africa legally.

Stronger border management and enforcement

Over 46,000 deportations were carried out, the highest number in five years. New technologies such as drones and body cameras helped boost detection and prevention of illegal crossings, with reported improvements in interception rates.

Expanded digital access through South Africa's banks

Home Affairs has partnered with banks such Capitec, FNB and Standard Bank to deliver Smart ID and passport services, with plans to roll the service out to many more. The rollout starts at select branches, with hundreds more across urban and rural areas coming on board by early 2026. This marks the beginning of the end of long Home Affairs queues.

By harnessing digital technology, this new digital partnership model expands services, bringing convenience to millions. Including those in remote areas and people with mobility challenges.

New service centres for South Africans abroad

Turnaround times are now just five weeks, a huge leap from the previous 12–18 months. This improvement is already delivering tangible relief to South Africans living overseas.

Service centres have launched in Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, significantly speeding up access to Smart IDs and passports for expatriates in those regions. Additional centres will follow on a phased schedule: China is due in the next few months, France, Germany and the Netherlands are planned for later this year, and North America is scheduled for early 2026. These expansions form a key part of the “Home Affairs @ Home” strategy to make essential services more accessible globally.

Digital innovation for SA immigration

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The ETA system, scheduled to go live in September 2025, will automate and digitalise tourist visa applications. Initially targeted at air travellers at major international airports, the ETA will speed up processing, eliminate the need to travel to SA Missions to apply, and improve fraud detection. Over time it will be expanded to cover all visa categories and additional ports of entry.

Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS)

The Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) has quickly become an important channel for boosting inbound group tourism from high-potential markets. Since rollout earlier this year, more than 25,000 tourists arriving with vetted tour operators from markets such as China and India have successfully obtained short-term visas. The scheme recently expanded from 65 to 110 approved operators, positioning South Africa to welcome more organised group travel and economic activity.

New visa schemes for the film and events industry

To further grow the creative and events economy, Home Affairs has introduced two digital visa initiatives: STAGES (Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme) to attract film and production work, and MEETS (Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme) to streamline entry for conferences, exhibitions and major sporting events. Together, these schemes are designed to create jobs, support local suppliers and make South Africa a competitive global destination for film and events.

Looking ahead: Digitisation set to transform Home Affairs

The progress achieved by our Minister in his first year is a clear signal that South Africa’s immigration system is entering a new era of efficiency and innovation. From clearing backlogs to embracing digital solutions like ETA and introducing industry-focused visa schemes, these reforms are setting the stage for a more connected and competitive South Africa. The journey is far from over, bigger changes are coming, and we’ll be sure to keep you informed every step of the way!

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