Department Of Home Affairs
The Department of Home Affairs is a South African government department responsible for immigration, citizenship, identity documentation and civil registration. The department manages the issuance of passports, identity documents, birth certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates for South African citizens and residents. It oversees immigration control at ports of entry, processes visa applications and administers the country's refugee and asylum systems. The department also maintains the National Population Register, which records vital statistics and demographic information for the population. Its mandate includes combating identity fraud, illegal immigration and document forgery. The department operates service centres across South Africa and works with external service providers such as VFS Global to process visa applications in other countries. It reports to the Minister of Home Affairs, a Cabinet-level position. The department plays a central role in national security, border management and the administration of civic rights. It has undergone modernisation efforts in recent years to digitise services and reduce processing times for documents and applications.
Department Of Home Affairs Updates
Social Grants and the Future of Digital Payments in South Africa
Updated 21 minutes ago Social protection remains one of the most visible, impactful, and fundamentally necessary pillars of South Africa’s democratic settlement. The... →
African migrants with deep roots in South Africa flee xenophobic attacks
By: Reuters Updated 2 hours 57 minutes ago When 33-year-old Princess Adjei set up her hair salon in downtown Durban in November, she had lived in South Africa since moving from Ghana as a... →
Daily Podcast – June, 12, 2026
By: Halima Frost 12th June 2026 Making headlines: Treasury says upgrades show path to investment grade; SA deporting 586 illegal Nigerian nationals who face 5-year re-entry ban;... →
Only 33 Business Visas Approved While Thousands of Foreign-Owned Businesses Operate in South Africa
12th June 2026 Government must explain how thousands of foreign-owned businesses are operating across South Africa when only 33 business visas have been approved... →
SA deporting 586 illegal Nigerian nationals who face 5-year re-entry ban
By: Thabi Shomolekae 12th June 2026 The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed the processing of 586 Nigerian nationals for repatriation after they were found to be residing in the... →
Home Affairs repatriates 586 Nigerian nationals
11th June 2026 The Department of Home Affairs confirms that it has processed 586 Nigerian nationals for repatriation after they were found to be residing in the... →
Employers must ensure the legal status and safety of their foreign workforce as enforcement intensifies
10th June 2026 As South Africa sharpens its focus on immigration and labour law compliance, employers who have foreigners in their service, should take proactive... →
Ramaphosa pledges illegal immigration crackdown, promises economic growth push 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 8th June 2026 Following his Sunday night announcement that government is taking decisive action to tackle illegal immigration, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on... →
Home Affairs committee chairperson backs President's call for stronger action against illegal immigration
8th June 2026 The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mr Mosa Chabane, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s strong and focused address... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, on illegal Migration and anti - foreigner protests (07/06/2026)
8th June 2026 Over recent months, South Africans from every walk of life have raised concerns about migration and illegal immigration. These concerns are being... →
