Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber: Transforming South Africa’s Immigration and Civic Systems

At the RMB Morgan Stanley Investor Conference, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber emphasized the urgent need to modernize South Africa’s immigration and civic systems through automation and digital transformation. He asserted that these changes will enhance public confidence in the government’s ability to restore law and order, coining the initiative as “Home Affairs from home.”
Schreiber highlighted that outdated, manual processes have fostered opportunities for human discretion and corruption, posing a serious threat to national security. He views the Home Affairs Department as a “crucial flywheel” for driving investment, tourism, and economic growth—potential that he believes has been overlooked in the past.
“We are completely redefining the department’s strategic priorities to become a digital-first organization,” he said. Acknowledging the considerable work needed to address issues stemming from decades of neglect, he pointed to positive advancements, including new regulations for a points-based work visa and a remote working visa.
These new regulations are designed to bring the remote working visa to fruition after addressing tax implications. Schreiber described this visa as an exceptional opportunity for South Africa, stating that the country incurs no costs for employing remote workers while benefiting from their contributions to the economy.
However, he acknowledged that significant administrative reforms are still required to realize the department’s potential as an economic enabler. He admitted that Home Affairs is “at least a decade behind the curve,” struggling with inefficiency and corruption rooted in outdated paper-based processes.
“To transform Home Affairs into a department that drives economic growth, provides dignified civic services, and secures national security, we must urgently embrace automation and digital transformation,” he stressed.
Schreiber envisions a future where citizens can access Home Affairs services from home, utilizing facial recognition or biometric technology on smartphones or computers. This would allow individuals to apply for services online, with the option to have documents delivered to their doorstep.
“This approach will free up resources, enabling us to better serve those who need to visit Home Affairs offices, particularly the 10% of South Africans without smartphones and those in rural or impoverished areas,” he explained.
Furthermore, Schreiber aims to digitize the visa adjudication process, allowing tourists, skilled workers, and investors to apply online. He plans to implement an automated risk engine powered by machine learning technology to swiftly adjudicate applications, issuing outcomes in digital format without human intervention. This system will be designed to detect fraudulent documents and cross-reference information effectively.
“It is through this vision for digital transformation that we will restore national security, deliver dignified civic services, and reposition Home Affairs as the most powerful economic enabler in the country,” he concluded.