By Zanele Makola
In a major announcement marking the Government of National Unity’s 100th day in office, the Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, unveiled an ambitious five-year strategy to digitize the Department of Home Affairs.
The recently launched initiative, titled “Home Affairs @Home,” aims to put an end to in-person visits for routine services, allowing South Africans and foreign nationals to access services online by 2029.
“Our vision is to bring Home Affairs to you,” Schreiber declared. “Over the next five years, all of the department’s services must become fully automated, digitized, and offered online at the fingertips of our clients, from the comfort of their own homes.”
Key components of the plan include the ability to apply for IDs, passports, and certificates through a secure online platform linked to clients’ biometrics, similar to systems used by banks and the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Clients’ documents will be delivered directly to their doorsteps or made available digitally. “Routine transactions will be processed automatically, only requiring human intervention in cases of anomalies,” Schreiber explained.
The implementation of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for foreign visitors is expected to bring a significant transformation in the immigration process. “Paper-based visas will be replaced by unique digital codes linked to biometric data,” Schreiber said, noting that real-time biometric verification would occur at all ports of entry.
In addition to convenience, the plan aims to improve national security. The minister stated that the risk engine will instantly detect fraudulent documents and notify officials if a traveller overstays their visa.
The strategic importance of this shift was also emphasized by Schreiber: “Digital transformation is essential to attract investment and tourists. Antiquated, paper-based red tape must go for our economy to thrive.” He added that this vision would transform every library or community centre with internet access into a virtual Home Affairs office.
