South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs will accelerate the use of handheld mobile devices to verify the immigration status of foreign nationals during field operations.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the devices will allow officials to access departmental systems remotely and confirm a person’s legal status faster. The move forms part of a wider enforcement and digital transformation drive at the department.

Home Affairs mobile devices to speed up checks

Schreiber told Parliament that Home Affairs is strengthening immigration compliance through intelligence-led operations, inspections and faster verification tools.

He said the Home Affairs mobile devices would help officials identify people without valid documentation while they are out in the field. According to the minister, faster confirmation of immigration status would support immediate enforcement action where officials find breaches of immigration law.

The department has reported 109,735 arrests and deportations of undocumented foreign nationals over the past five years. During the same period, it carried out 6,279 workplace inspections and charged 8,180 employers for hiring immigrants without valid work permits.

Biometric checks form part of wider Home Affairs plan

The handheld device rollout follows earlier use of biometric technology during Home Affairs operations.

In May 2025, government said Schreiber launched Operation New Broom in District Six, Cape Town, where 25 suspects were arrested during an operation using biometric checks to verify immigration status. The Department of Home Affairs said the technology helps reduce reliance on physical documents and supports stronger legal cases.

Schreiber said at the time that the operation would be part of an ongoing national campaign. The minister warned people in the country unlawfully to leave voluntarily before facing arrest and possible restrictions on future entry or legal status.

Digital border systems also expanding

Home Affairs is also expanding biometric systems at ports of entry. The supplied source reported that Schreiber told Parliament on 21 May 2026 that South Africa’s ports would feature facial biometric verification technology by 31 March 2027, following airport trials.

The changes are linked to the department’s Electronic Traveller Authorisation and upgraded Enhanced Movement Control System. In September 2025, government said the ETA would digitise and automate visa processes, allowing travellers to apply online and submit biometric information through a more secure digital platform.

Home Affairs says these reforms aim to improve legal travel, reduce queues and strengthen border control. However, the department has not provided a specific public date for the full rollout of the handheld mobile devices across all field operations.