SOUTH AFRICA — The Department of Home Affairs is moving to digitize asylum applications through a comprehensive biometric online platform designed to accelerate processing times, strengthen identity verification, and prevent the systemic abuse of the immigration system.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced that the new system is expected to be fully operational by 10 November 2026. Speaking during an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, Schreiber explained that the reforms build upon the department’s prior success in utilizing technology for administrative processes, specifically the Electronic Travel Authorisation system.
Under the new framework, asylum applicants will be required to submit biometric information. This data will allow Home Affairs to verify identities, confirm the authenticity of passports and travel documents, and identify any recorded infringements. Crucially, the system will cross-reference new submissions to determine if applicants have previously lodged claims that were rejected, thereby preventing individuals from repeatedly filing applications to delay their removal.
Addressing recent legal developments, Schreiber clarified the implications of the Constitutional Court judgment delivered on 7 July 2026. He emphasized that the ruling addressed procedural aspects of processing claims and did not grant refugee status or citizenship to any foreign national.
“The ConCourt did not remove our right as Home Affairs to adjudicate a refugee application,” Schreiber stated. “If someone doesn’t qualify, it is our job to say you don’t qualify and you must be deported.”
The digital transformation arrives as the department tackles a significant backlog of asylum appeals. Schreiber estimated the current backlog at approximately 120,000 cases, noting that the department would later provide a confirmed exact figure following a recent 20% reduction. While initial asylum applications are currently being processed with a turnaround time of about 30 days, the primary delays occur during the appeals stage.
To sustain momentum and prevent new applications from creating future bottlenecks, the department has appointed 74 advocates to bolster its legal processing capacity. Schreiber noted that the current administration initially inherited a system where only nine individuals were responsible for processing asylum appeals.
Looking ahead, the government plans to approach the Constitutional Court for a supervisory order. This move seeks guidance on implementing the July judgment and resolving ongoing administrative and operational challenges. Schreiber highlighted the need to accurately project the volume of incoming applications to effectively plan staffing and processing capacity, a task the new online platform will facilitate by establishing the scale of applications for a phased implementation process.
Additionally, the IMC has directed relevant government entities to participate in a hearing scheduled for 29 October 2026. A panel of judges from the Gauteng Division of the High Court will use this hearing to consider conflicting judgments regarding asylum seekers issued within the division.
Moving forward, the department maintains its commitment to adjudicating applications and enforcing immigration laws. This includes the deportation of individuals whose claims have been finally rejected, executed strictly in accordance with applicable legal frameworks.
