Home Affairs to introduce biometric system for asylum seekers

Home Affairs Minister Dr.

Leon Schreiber says the department will introduce a phased, structure intention-registration and appointment model for asylum seeker applications, by the 10th of November 2026.

Schreiber says the system will allow the department to add more security features to avoid its abuse by applicants.

He says his department wants to prevent applicants from re-applying after being rejected.

Home Affairs is developing a biometric online platform to speed up asylum applications, strengthen identity verification and prevent rejected applicants from repeatedly submitting claims to delay their removal.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the platform, expected to be operational by 10 November 2026, would help the department address longstanding inefficiencies in the asylum system while strengthening immigration law enforcement. https://t.co/LnKXvFT8Uy #GovZAUpdates — @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) October 11, 2026 “This biometric platform will require anyone anyone who wants to apply for asylum to upload biometrics which we will then verify.

We will have the capabilities through the system to check whether you previously had a case that you lost which was rejected for asylum.

We will be able to check other infringements on your record and where you upload things like passport or travel documents we can now use technology to verify the authenticity of those.” RELATED VIDEO | IMC on Migration to hold media briefing on asylum seekers