Home Affairs plans biometric system for asylum seekers

South Africa’s asylum application process could soon undergo a digital overhaul, with the Department of Home Affairs developing a biometric online platform designed to speed up applications and strengthen identity checks.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the system is expected to become operational by 10 November 2026. It is intended to help officials identify applicants who have previously had claims rejected, verify travel documents and reduce opportunities to use repeated applications to delay deportation.

The proposed platform comes as the department works to address a significant backlog in asylum appeals and improve the administration of the country’s immigration system.

How the new biometric asylum system will work

The planned platform will require asylum seekers to submit biometric information, allowing Home Affairs to verify identities and check whether applicants have previously submitted unsuccessful claims.

Officials will also be able to examine the authenticity of passports and other travel documents, as well as identify recorded immigration infringements.

According to Schreiber, the aim is to make it easier for the department to process legitimate asylum applications while identifying cases that do not meet the requirements for refugee protection.

“The ConCourt did not remove our right as Home Affairs to adjudicate a refugee application,” Schreiber said. He added that applicants whose claims are unsuccessful must be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The minister also clarified that the Constitutional Court’s judgment of 7 July 2026 did not automatically grant refugee status or citizenship to foreign nationals. The ruling concerned procedural aspects of handling asylum claims.

The introduction of the platform forms part of wider efforts to modernise Home Affairs services and strengthen immigration enforcement.

Home Affairs faces 120 000 outstanding asylum appeals

One of the department’s biggest challenges remains the backlog of asylum appeals.

Schreiber estimated that approximately 120 000 appeals were still outstanding, although he indicated that a confirmed figure would be provided.

The minister said initial asylum applications were being processed within around 30 days, with the most significant delays occurring when applicants appealed decisions.

Home Affairs reduced its appeals backlog by about 20% during the previous financial year. However, the department is seeking further improvements to prevent outstanding cases from accumulating again.

To increase capacity, the department has brought in 74 advocates to assist with appeals. Schreiber said the administration had initially inherited a system in which only nine people were responsible for processing asylum appeals.

The additional legal capacity, alongside the planned digital platform, is expected to help officials manage cases more efficiently.

Government seeks clarity on the Constitutional Court ruling

The government also intends to approach the Constitutional Court for a supervisory order to obtain guidance on implementing its judgment and addressing administrative difficulties within the asylum system.

Schreiber said the department needs a clearer understanding of how many people are likely to come forward to apply for asylum. This would help officials determine staffing requirements, allocate resources and plan the rollout of the new system.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration has directed relevant government departments and entities to participate in a hearing scheduled for 29 October 2026 before a panel of judges from the Gauteng Division of the High Court.

The hearing is expected to consider conflicting judgments on asylum seekers issued within the division.

What the changes mean for asylum seekers

If implemented as planned, the biometric platform could change how applications are recorded, checked and processed by Home Affairs.

For applicants, identity verification and the department’s ability to access previous application records will form part of the process. For officials, the system is intended to make it easier to identify repeat claims and manage the volume of applications.

Schreiber said Home Affairs would continue processing asylum claims and enforcing immigration laws, including deporting applicants whose claims had been finally rejected, subject to applicable legal requirements.

The planned launch on 10 November 2026 is the next milestone. Its impact will depend on how the system is implemented and whether the digital changes, alongside additional appeal capacity, can help the department reduce delays while meeting its legal obligations.

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Source: The South African