For years, thousands of South Africans who gained their citizenship through naturalisation were caught in a frustrating limbo.
Despite holding permanent residency and having full constitutional rights, they were locked out of accessing the country’s more secure Smart ID cards.
It wasn’t just a bureaucratic hiccup—it felt like outright discrimination.
But now, that chapter is finally closing.
Smart ID Cards Finally Open to Naturalised Citizens
On Sunday, 11 May 2025, a major breakthrough was announced.
Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber confirmed that naturalised South African citizens are now eligible for Smart ID cards.
That means over 1.4 million lawful permanent residents—many of whom have waited years—can finally apply for the modern form of identification.
It’s been a long time coming. The Smart ID system, which the government has praised for its enhanced security features, has been around for more than a decade.
Yet somehow, naturalised citizens were left behind.
A History of Exclusion and Frustration
To become a naturalised South African citizen, you first have to live in the country as a permanent resident for at least five years.
After that, you’re supposed to have the same rights as anyone else born here.
But when it came to getting a Smart ID card? Not so much.
Many of these citizens were stuck with the outdated green barcoded ID book, which is far more vulnerable to fraud and identity theft.
Readers frequently reached out on WhatsApp, voicing their confusion and frustration.
The sense of exclusion was real—and for many, painful.
The Role of Technology in the Delay
So, what took so long? According to reports from BusinessTech, it all came down to outdated systems.
The Department of Home Affairs relied heavily on a manual, paper-based process, which simply couldn’t handle the complexity of integrating naturalised citizens into the new digital ID system.
To make matters worse, those who weren’t born in South Africa were only allowed to go to a few select Home Affairs offices that still issued the old green booklets.
Meanwhile, Smart ID cards were being distributed elsewhere since 2013.
Plans to phase out the green IDs by 2022 came and went—but the outdated books stuck around.
A New Chapter for Home Affairs
Dr. Schreiber, who’s been at the helm of Home Affairs for just over a year, has already introduced several forward-thinking reforms.
He described the Smart ID rollout for naturalised citizens as both a “victory for social inclusion” and a major win for national security.
“This is a milestone in our digital transformation,” he said, adding that previously excluded citizens now have access to the same secure documentation as everyone else.
It’s a clear sign the department is finally catching up with its own promises.
How to Apply for a Smart ID as a Naturalised Citizen
If you’re one of the many eligible naturalised citizens, you can now apply for your Smart ID through the e-Home Affairs platform.
The process costs R140, and it brings you into line with the rest of the country in terms of documentation and security.
It’s not just about the card—it’s about recognition, equality, and digital inclusion.