DHA Rolls Out Phase II of Trusted Employer Scheme Amid Government-Wide Digitisation Push

Posted 21 July 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Immigration & Compliance

Brought to you by SAnews: The Department of Home Affairs has launched Phase II of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) as part of the broader Roadmap for the Digital Transformation of Government, aimed at streamlining immigration administration and modernising public service delivery.

Administered under the provisions of the Immigration Act, No. 13 of 2002, Phase II of the TES seeks to reduce administrative friction, accelerate visa processing for qualifying corporate entities, and facilitate the entry of critical skills into the economy. The scheme aligns with the government’s digital roadmap, which establishes a framework to transition public services away from fragmented systems toward unified digital platforms by 2030.

The digital transformation agenda encompasses operational integrations across several key regulatory and service domains:

  • Immigration and Identity Management: The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has expanded eHomeAffairs for remote Smart ID and passport applications. Biometric verification access has expanded to 296 participating commercial bank branches, following the recent integration of Absa.
  • Tax Administration: Operating under the Tax Administration Act, No. 28 of 2011, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) continues to mandate and expand remote compliance management via eFiling, the SARS MobiApp, and automated compliance status verification.
  • Broadband Infrastructure Deployment: As outlined in the National Treasury Budget Review, Phase 2 of the SA Connect project will deploy approximately 1 180 kilometres of fibre infrastructure in 2025/26, funded with an initial R3 million allocation, to connect 5.6 million households via community Wi-Fi hotspots and upgrade network infrastructure across 6 343 government facilities.
  • Transport Administration: Vehicle registration renewals and administrative processing continue through the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s NaTIS digital portal.
  • Centralised Digital Access: Public service access points are being consolidated under the MyMzansi portal (https://www.mymzansi.gov.za/) to serve as a single trusted platform for identity verification, applications, and payments.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: South African citizens can complete identity document and passport applications online and finalize biometric capture through 296 participating bank branches, including Absa network sites.
  • For your business: Large employers and investors qualified under the Department of Home Affairs Trusted Employer Scheme Phase II can utilize fast-tracked corporate visa and critical skills application channels.
  • For your clients: Taxpayers and corporate clients can fulfill statutory reporting and tax compliance verification remotely through SARS eFiling without visiting physical branch offices.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/features-south-africa/charting-way-towards-digital-future

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