By Sue-Ann de Wet

The days of the green barcode ID book are officially numbered.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, announced on 1 October 2026 that the Department of Home Affairs will stop producing the green ID book on 31 March 2027. A year later, on 31 March 2028, the green ID book will no longer be recognised as a valid form of identification.

The announcement is particularly important for South Africans living abroad, as many of them have not previously had the same access to smart ID cards as South Africans living locally.

Two dates to remember

The phasing-out will take place in two important phases.

31 March 2027: The production of the green ID books will be discontinued. According to Schreiber, the machines used to produce the books will be permanently switched off and taken out of service.

31 March 2028: Green ID books will no longer be recognised as valid identity documents in terms of the Identification Act.

According to the minister, there are 14,7 million South African citizens and permanent residents who hold only a green ID book. After production ceases in March 2027, they will therefore still have 12 months to switch to a smart ID card.

But what about South Africans abroad?

This is probably the most important part of the announcement for the Worldwide community.

Schreiber confirmed that the Department of Home Affairs will expand access to smart ID cards before 31 October 2027 to groups that historically did not have the same access to them. This includes naturalised citizens, permanent residents and South African citizens living abroad.

This means that South Africans abroad should not simply be left with an expiry date for green ID books without a way to replace the document. The department has committed itself to making the smart ID card accessible to this group, before the production of the green ID books is discontinued.

However, the precise practical details regarding where and how South African in various countries will be able to apply for their smart ID cards were not set out in today’s announcement.

It is therefore important not to assume at this stage that smart ID applications are available at all South African missions or service centres abroad. Further details regarding the international roll-out have yet to be announced by the Department of Home Affairs.

Why is the green ID book being phased out?

The Department of Home Affairs has been working for quite some time to replace the green ID book with the more secure smart ID card.

One of the most important reasons is the old document’s vulnerability to identity fraud. Over the past year the department has also significantly expanded access to smart ID services within South Africa through its partnership with banks.

In August 2026 the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that the smart ID services were already available through hundreds of participating bank branches and that more than a half a million South Africans have applied for smart ID cards via these channels since the launch of the new digital partnership model in March.

What should you do now if you live abroad?

If you are still using a green ID book, there is still time. The most important thing is to be aware of the two deadlines and to keep an eye out for further announcements from the Department of Home Affairs.

Do not discard or stop using your green ID book. According to the announced timeline, it remains a valid identity document until 31 March 2028.

South Africans abroad should specifically look out for further information regarding:

• when smart ID applications for South Africans abroad open;
• at which embassies, consulates or other service centres can applications be submitted;
• what documents will be required;
• how biometric details will be submitted; and
• how the smart ID card will be collected or delivered.

These details remain important before South Africans abroad can practically begin planning to replace their green ID book.

AfriForum Worldwide will keep you updated

For South Africans abroad, identity documents, passports and consular services are often more complicated than when living in South Africa. The confirmation that South Africans abroad will also gain access to smart ID cards is therefore an important development.

AfriForum Worldwide will monitor further announcements from the Department of Home Affairs, particularly regarding when, where and how South Africans abroad will be able to apply for a smart ID card.

For now, the most important message is simple: 31 March 2027 marks the end of the production of the green ID book, and from 31 March 2028 it will no longer be recognised as a valid identity document.

If you still have a green ID book, mark these dates – but wait for the official details regarding the international smart ID application process before making any arrangements.