If you're a South African still carrying the old green barcoded ID book, the clock is ticking. The Department of Home Affairs now expects the document to become non-functional within about two years, which puts 2028 forward as the most likely end date — although no official deadline has been confirmed yet.

Thulani Mavuso, the department's Deputy Director-General for Operations, gave the clearest signal so far about the timeframe. President Cyril Ramaphosa has separately confirmed the green book will be discontinued progressively, with Home Affairs responsible for naming the final cut-off date.

The phase-out is a big logistical exercise. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says roughly 16 million South Africans are still using the green book. The department's main worry is security: decades-old books are relatively easy to forge and are vulnerable to identity theft, whereas Smart ID cards carry biometric data and link into a more digital identity system.

For travellers, this matters more than it might first appear. Your ID is what gets you onto domestic flights, through border posts into neighbouring countries, and past hotel check-ins that require identification. A last-minute scramble to replace a document that suddenly stops working is the kind of disruption nobody wants in the middle of trip planning.

The good news is that applying for a Smart ID has become much easier. Home Affairs has been expanding partnerships with commercial banks, and by July 2026 its digital network covered 327 bank branches where South Africans can apply — with more being added. Applications are also possible at Home Affairs offices and through mobile services, so you're no longer limited to long queues at a single government office.

There's no need to panic. Green ID books remain valid for now, and no exact expiry date has been announced. But with 2028 on the table and 16 million people competing for appointments as the deadline approaches, replacing yours sooner rather than later is a smart move — especially before booking travel that depends on valid identification. If your passport renewals or trip plans rely on your ID details, sorting the card now means one less thing to worry about later.

First reported by Getaway South Africa.