Once you’ve signed up with Yoco you’ll automatically be redirected to the Yoco App (mobile or web) to complete your Yoco profile. As soon as your profile has been completed and your information verified, you can start transacting and getting paid with Yoco.
✨ Not sure what you need to complete your profile? Read through our list of verification requirements for individuals and businesses.
Don’t have the Yoco App?
If you’ve haven’t downloaded the Yoco App yet, click on the relevant App Store below. Once you’ve installed the app, log in and click on the Complete your profile tile to continue your Yoco journey. You can return to this tile as many times as you like to complete your profile.
Complete your Yoco profile
Our aim, after you've signed up with Yoco, is to get you accepting payments as quickly – and securely – as possible. To do that, we need to complete a few basic identity checks. These are required by South African law and help protect your business, your customers, and the Yoco network from fraud and financial crime.
We've made the process as simple as possible so that you can focus on growing your business, while we keep things secure and compliant in the background.
✨Over 90% of Yoco merchants complete their profiles without any manual document uploads or intervention, and more than half are fully verified and compliant within just 15 minutes!
To complete your profile, you’ll need to:
Upload your work visa (if applicable)
Add your NPO or Trust number (if applicable)
Upload your NPO or Trust documents (if applicable)
1. Verify your email address
Verifying your email address helps us keep your account secure and ensures that we're able to reach you with important updates about your payments and account activity. We’ll send a verification code to the email address you used when you signed up with Yoco, and you enter this code to confirm that it’s really you. Quick, and easy!
1. Select the Verify email address button.
2. Select the Send code button and a 6-digit verification code will be sent to the email address linked to your Yoco profile.
✉️ Need to change your email address? Simply select the Change email address link to update it immediately.
3. Copy the code from the email and paste it into the blocks on your screen. If the code expires before you're able to submit it, select the Resend code and we’ll send you a new verification code.
📩 Email verification FAQs
I haven't received a verification email. What should I do?
Start by checking your Spam or Junk folder.
Search for an email thread titled ‘Verify Your Email’ – new OTP emails are sometimes grouped into existing threads, making it seem like they've already been read.
If you’re using a corporate email address, company security settings may be blocking your email. Try using a personal email address instead.
Make sure you’ve typed your email address in correctly, then click the Resend code link.
If none of the above works, try using a different email provider.
Can I use one email address to verify multiple accounts? No, each Yoco profile must be associated with a unique email address. Some email providers allow + extensions (e.g., [email protected]). If yours doesn’t, we recommend creating an email alias instead.
What is an email alias? An email alias is an alternative email address that forwards messages to your main inbox. This allows you to receive emails at a different address without having to creating a whole new email account.
Provider-supported email aliases
Is the + extension the reason I haven't received my verification email?
Some email providers don’t support automated emails for + aliases. Try creating an alias with your email provider and using that instead.
Can my verification email be sent to a different email address? For security reasons, we only send OTPs to the email address that’s being verified.
Why does it say my verification code is incorrect? Verification codes have an expiration time (for security reasons), so check that you’re entering the code from the most recent verification email. If in doubt, request a new verification code and try again.
2. Verify your identity
As a registered financial services provider, Yoco is required by South African law to verify the identity of all its merchants. This is part of our commitment to comply with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), which helps prevent fraud, money laundering, and the financing of illegal activities. And by confirming that it's really you completing your Yoco profile, you're helping us keep the Yoco platform secure for all our merchants.
Verification only takes a few minutes to complete, and as soon as it's done, you’ll be ready to accept payments securely. To get started, follow the steps below based on the type of ID you have.
South African citizens
If you have a 13-digit South African ID number or hold a South African ID card, green barcoded ID book, or a South African Passport, follow the standard verification steps here.
Foreign nationals with a passport and valid visa
Please upload a clear copy of your valid (non-expired) passport along with a valid work visa or work permit as part of your identity verification. If your business is registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and you've renewed your passport since registering the business, please update your CIPC records with your latest passport number. If you don't, it'll take longer for you to complete your Yoco profile. Follow the steps here for detailed guidance on what’s required.
Asylum seekers and refugees
If you are an asylum seeker or a recognised refugee, you'll need to send the Yoco Support Team one of the following valid documents issued by the Department of Home Affairs:
Asylum Seeker Temporary Permit
Formal Recognition of Refugee Status
Red Refugee Book
Email your document to [email protected], or click here to find out how you can contact the Yoco Support Team.
Once the Support Team has received your document, you can continue on to the next step in the complete your profile process: Add your company.
South African citizens
Select the Verify your identity button.
Enter your ID number and we’ll verify it within seconds with the Department of Home Affairs. No documents needed.
3. If the details displayed are correct, select Yes to continue. We’ll then verify your identity with the Department of Home Affairs, using biometric data to confirm that it’s really you.
4. Once you’ve confirmed your identity details, select the Scan my face button and we’ll take a live selfie that we’ll match to your photo on the Home Affairs database.
✨ Please note: To increase the chances of your scan being successful, we recommend that you scan your face on your mobile phone. If you're using the Yoco Web App, select the Continue on phone button to scan a QR code and switch to your mobile.
5. If camera access is required, a permissions box will appear on your screen. Select the Allow button to continue the process and take your selfie.
6. It's selfie time! Follow the on-screen instructions carefully and read the tips below to ensure success. Keep your face fully visible and centred within the oval throughout the process.
📸 Tips for a successful selfie
Centre your face so that it fills most of the on-screen oval.
Move closer if prompted, until your face fits inside the oval.
Look straight ahead into the camera, keeping your eyes level.
Keep your expression neutral – don't smile, frown, etc.
Make sure your face is well lit – avoid shadows and bright backlighting.
Remove glasses, hats, masks, and anything else that may block your face.
Keep still and stay within the oval until the scan is complete.
7. As soon as your profile has been verified, a success message will appear and you can continue on to the next step in the complete your profile process: Add your residential address.
👎 Using your 13-digit South African ID number and struggling with face verification? Don't worry! Flip the toggle for your next step.
👎 Using your 13-digit South African ID number and struggling with face verification? Don't worry! Flip the toggle for your next step.
If you're using your South African ID number to verify your identity, you may not get a successful the selfie result – either because the Department of Home Affairs is offline, or they don't have a photograph of you on file. If this happens, we’ll give you the option of uploading your ID document instead.
1. Select Scan my ID to proceed with the ID upload.
2. Upload your ID document from your device.
3. Confirm that you’ve read and understood the Privacy Notice and the Notification on the Processing of Personal Data, and give your consent to proceed by ticking the box and selecting the blue Continue button.
4. Select South Africa as the issuing country, then select the type of ID document you'll be uploading from the list provided.
Yoco only accepts these ID documents:
South African passport
South African identity card
Green barcoded ID booklet
When you've made your choices, select Continue to move on to the next step.
✨ Important: You must use your ID document when completing this step. In the next step, you'll be asked to take a selfie, which will be compared to the ID document you've just uploaded to make sure they match.
Uploading your passport to verify your identity?
If you're signing up with Yoco for a business that's been registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), and you've renewed your passport since registering the business, please update your CIPC records with your latest passport number. If the CIPC still has your old passport number, the system may flag you as being an inactive director. Keeping your CIPC records accurate will help to avoid verification issues and delays.
5. Read the instructions carefully, then select Continue to allow access to the camera on your device. A permission box will appear in the top left corner of your screen. Select the Allow this time button to proceed.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to frame and photograph your original ID document.
✨ Tips for scanning your ID successfully
Make sure that all corners of the ID and your photo are clearly visible –nothing should be cropped out.
The text on the document must be legible and in full colour – black-and-white images won't be accepted.
Upload an original photo or scan – don't submit screenshots, edited files, or digital IDs.
The ID must match the person signing up—we will verify this in the next step by asking you to take a selfie and compare it to the ID document you uploaded.
You also have the option of uploading an existing image or scan (please do not submit screenshots, edited files, or digital IDs). If you choose to upload your ID document, please remember the following:
South African ID card: Upload both the front and back side of the card.
Green barcoded ID book: Upload the barcoded page only.
South African passport: Upload the biodata page only.
7. When you’ve finished photographing/uploading your original ID document, read the on-screen instructions carefully before selecting Continue to complete a live face scan.
Important: Your face scan must match the ID document you've just uploaded. If it doesn't, your identify check will be unsuccessful.
8. Follow the on-screen prompts and the green indicator to complete the live face scan for your liveness check.
9. Once you’ve completed your liveness check, we'll compare it against the ID document you uploaded. If the match is successful, your identity check is complete. This process will only take a few seconds. You can then move on to the next step in the complete your profile process: Add your company.
International citizens
Before you start this process, make sure that you have the following ready:
Passport – you'll need to show the biodata page.
Work visa – must be issued by the Department of Home Affairs and must clearly state that you're entitled to conduct work, business, or employment in South Africa.
Important: Both documents must be valid (not expired) – we will verify this.
Select the Verify your identity button.
Choose the I don’t have a South African ID link.
3. Read the on-screen instructions carefully, then select the Continue button.
4. Confirm that you have read the Privacy Notice and the Notification to Processing of Personal Data and consent to the processing of your personal data.
5. Choose the country where your identity document was issued, and select the Continue button.
✨ Please note: We only accept valid (not expired) passports issued by your government. You must use your passport when completing this step. In the next step, you'll be asked to take a selfie, which will be compared to the photo in your passport.
✨ Using the Yoco Web App? Select the Continue on phone button to scan a QR code and switch to your mobile.
6. Read through the on-screen tips, then select the Continue button if you’re ready to upload your passport. At this point, you have the option to upload a copy of your passport, or take a photograph of your passport.
7. If you choose to photograph your passport, and camera access is required, a permissions box will appear on your screen. Select the Allow button to continue the process and take your selfie.
8. Open up your passport to the biodata page (the page with your photo and barcode), and flip it horizontally to fill the frame as shown.
📸 Tips for photographing your your passport successfully
Place your passport flat on a flat surface to avoid glare or distortion.
Make sure that all corners of your passport and photo are clearly visible – nothing should be cropped out.
The text on the document must be legible and in full colour – black-and-white and poor quality images won't be accepted.
Avoid reflections or shadows – use natural light if possible.
If you're taking the photo on your mobile phone, take it from directly above, with the camera parallel to the document.
9. If you choose to upload a copy of your passport, please don't upload screenshots, photocopies, or digitally altered documents. These will not be accepted for verification purposes.
10. Once you've photographed or uploaded your passport, get ready to complete your liveness check. Read through the tips on screen, then select the Continue button to complete the selfie and face scan. We’ll compare this selfie to the photo in your passport – they must match for your identity to be verified.
📸 Tips for a successful selfie
Allow camera access – when the permissions box appears on your screen, select the Allow button.
Centre your face so that it fills most of the on-screen oval.
Move closer if prompted, until your face fits inside the oval.
Look straight ahead into the camera, keeping your eyes level.
Keep your expression neutral – don't smile, frown, etc.
Make sure your face is well lit – avoid shadows and bright backlighting.
Remove glasses, hats, masks, and anything else that may block your face.
Keep still and stay within the oval until the scan is complete.
We recommend completing your live selfie on your phone, as it typically has a higher success rate. To switch to your mobile, select the Continue on phone button.
11. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the liveness check.
10. A success message will appear as soon as you’ve passed the liveness check and your details will be sent to our system for processing. You can now continue on to the next step in the complete your profile process: Upload your work visa.
🙍 Identity verification FAQs
How do I complete identity verification?
Enter your 13-digit South African ID number exactly as it appears in your green barcoded ID book or on your smart ID card.
Your ID number will be securely checked against the Department of Home Affairs' database.
If there's a match, you'll be asked to take a live selfie, which will be compared to the photo the Department of Home Affairs has on file for you.
If the photos match, your identity will be verified.
What if there’s no match in the Home Affairs database? If we can’t find a match (this can happen when the Department of Home Affairs' system is down or your photo is missing from their records), we'll ask you to upload a copy of a valid (not expired) identity document and take a live selfie. We'll guide you through the process online.
Can I complete identity verification with someone else's ID? No, you can only use your ID document for the ID verification process. That's because you're required to take a live selfie as part of this process and if you're using someone else's ID document, your photo won't match the one linked to their ID number on the Department of Home Affairs' database.
Can I complete identity verification if I'm not an active director/trustee? No, you must be an active director of a business or a trustee of an organisation to complete the identity verification process.
What if I live in South Africa, but don’t have a South African ID? If you live in South Africa but you're not a South African citizen, select the I don't have a South African ID link when asked to enter your ID number, and you'll be guided through an alternative verification process. If you have an asylum seeker permit, contact the Yoco Support Team via our in-app chat.
3. Upload your work visa (if applicable)
1. Select the Upload work visa button.
2. Upload your work visa. Before you select the blue Continue button, make sure that your visa meets these requirements (if it doesn't, it won't be accepted for verification purposes):
It's valid (not expired).
It's in your name.
It's issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
It clearly states that you are permitted to conduct work, business, or employment in South Africa.
3. Once you've uploaded your visa, we'll review it and let you know if your identity has been verified. This usually takes 1–2 working days. You can now continue on to the next step in the complete your profile process: Add your company.
✍️ Work visa FAQs
What qualifies as a valid work visa? Only visas officially issued by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs will be accepted. Your visa must clearly state that you are permitted to conduct work, employment, or business in South Africa. Without this specific permission, we won’t be able to process your payments through Yoco.
What is not considered a valid work visa? Entry, exit, and visitor stamps in your passport do not qualify as a valid work visa.
The visa in my passport is expired. What should I do? We cannot accept an expired work visa for verification. However, if you’re in the process of renewing your visa, you can submit your expired visa and your renewal application slip and we'll move forward with your application while your renewal is in progress.
My passport has expired, but my work visa is still valid. What should I do? If your passport has expired, but it contains a valid working visa, you can still upload the visa.
Does the work visa need to be in my name? Yes, the visa must be in your name. We'll validate the details on the visa and compare them with the details you've provided – if the information doesn't match, you won't be able to complete this step.
4. Add your company
Has your business been registered with the CIPC?
If you’ve ever registered your business with the CIPC, we’ll search its national database for businesses linked to your identity details. Choose the business you’re completing a profile for and select Continue.
What if your business isn’t registered with the CIPC?
If the business you’re creating a Yoco profile for has never been registered with the CIPC, select the correct business structure from the list provided. Depending on the structure of your business, we’ll ask you to enter details of the other owners in your business and/or legal documents to confirm your proper representation of the organisation.
5. Add your NPO or trust number (if applicable)
If you’re completing a Yoco profile on behalf of an NPO or trust, you’ll need to enter your NPO number or Trust registration number as part of the process.
❗Important: Please make sure you have the correct number and that you enter it carefully as we’ll be using it to verify your business and bank account details.
What is an NPO number?
This number is issued by the relevant government authority, e.g., the Department of Social Development and confirms that your organisation is officially registered as a non-profit. The NPO number typically follows the format NPO-XXXXXX (e.g., NPO-123456).
What is a Trust registration number?
This number is issued by the relevant government authority, e.g., the Master of the High Court and confirms that your entity is officially registered as a Trust. The Trust registration number typically follows the format ITXXX/YY (e.g., IT1234/21), where ‘IT’ indicates an Inter Vivos Trust. Other formats may apply, depending on the type of Trust and the jurisdiction in which it was registered.
6. Upload your NPO or trust documents (if applicable)
Document requirements for NPOs
If you’re completing a Yoco profile on behalf of an NPO, you'll need to upload your NPO's founding documents (e.g. constitution, memorandum of incorporation) as well as an official document (e.g. meeting minutes) that lists the key leadership (Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer).
You'll also need to answer these questions:
Is your NPO registered with the Department of Social Development?
How long has your NPO been in operation?
What is the monthly value of donations received?
What is your NPO’s mission, vision, and key objectives?
Who are your expected donors or group of donors?
How does your NPO receive donations?
Who are the expected beneficiaries?
How are disbursements made?
Is the organisation associated with any state funding?
Does the organisation engage in any cross-border activity?
Upload your NPO's founding documents as well as meeting minutes or another official document that lists the key leadership (Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer).
✨ Important: If you answer YES to the question, 'Is your NPO registered with the Department of Social Development?' above, you'll need to upload your NPO Registration Certificate in addition to the founding documents and the document listing the key leadership.
💟 NPO FAQs
Do the founding and official documents need to be signed and stamped? Yes, both documents must be signed by the relevant parties and stamped where applicable before they are uploaded.
Does the person signing up with Yoco need to be named in the organisation's documents? Yes, the person signing up with Yoco on behalf of the NPO must be must be named in the founding document or referenced in the official meeting minutes as an authorised representative.
What happens if the NPO documents don’t meet the requirements? Incomplete, unsigned, or outdated documents will lead to delays and/or your application being rejected.
How long does it take to review the required NPO documents? It typically takes two business days (from the date that all required information has been submitted) for these documents to be reviewed.
Document requirements for Trusts
If you’re completing a Yoco profile on behalf of a trust, you’ll need to upload your Trust Letter of Authority and Trust Deed.
📜 Trust FAQs
What is a Trust Letter of Authority? This is an official document issued by the Master of the High Court that gives trustees the authority to act on behalf of the trust.
What is a Trust Deed? This is a legal document that outlines the objectives and structure of the trust, and the rules for how it should be managed. We need it to confirm the legitimacy of the trust.
Do the Trust Deed and Letter of Authority need to be signed and stamped Yes, both documents must be signed by the relevant parties and stamped where applicable before they are uploaded.
Does the person signing up with Yoco need to be a trustee? Yes, the person signing up with Yoco on behalf of the trust must be listed as a trustee in the Trust Deed and/or the Letter of Authority.
What if the trust documents don't meet the requirements? Incomplete, unsigned, or outdated documents will lead to delays and/or your application being rejected.
How long does it take to review the required trust documents? It typically takes two business days (from the date that all required information has been submitted) for these documents to be reviewed.
7. Add your residential address
Select the Add residential address button.
Enter your home address manually, or select the Use my current location link to enter your address using our GPS tool.
8. Add your bank details
Before you add your bank details, please note the following:
Your bank account must be South African and transactional, meaning that it can make and take payments.
The bank account must be in your name if you’re a sole proprietor/self-employed.
The bank account must be in the company’s name for any other business type.
If proof of your bank account is required, you can submit a bank letter or statement.
Select the Add bank details button.
2. Select your bank from the dropdown list, choose the type of account – cheque or savings – and enter your bank account number very carefully to avoid any mistakes.
❗Getting a red error message? Flip the toggle to find out why – and what to do.
❗Getting a red error message? Flip the toggle to find out why – and what to do.
If the bank account details you entered are not successfully verified, a message will appear in a red banner. Read this message carefully closing the banner as you won’t be able to access it again.
Message: The account number or bank provided is not valid.
Solution: Check and re-enter your details carefully before selecting the Submit button.
Message: The account you provided belongs to another individual.
Solution: Use a bank account that’s registered in your name if you’re a sole proprietor/self-employed, or in the name of the company for any other business type. Select the Submit button when you’re done.
📄 Need to upload proof of account? Flip the toggle to find out how.
📄 Need to upload proof of account? Flip the toggle to find out how.
If proof of your bank account is required, you can submit a Bank Letter or Statement by following these simple steps.
1. Select the Upload file button, to submit your proof of account.
2. Locate the downloaded bank statement or bank letter in the relevant folder on your device and select the Submit button to upload the document.
3. We’ll review your bank details and send you an in-app message to let you know the next steps.
If your bank account is verified and approved immediately, you’re ready to start receiving payouts from Yoco! 🎉
If your bank account isn’t verified and approved immediately, there’s no need to be concerned. All it means is that we need to manually confirm that your bank details and identity match. If we require any supporting documents, a Yoco consultant will contact you within two working days to guide you through the next steps.
💰 Bank account verification FAQs
How does Yoco verify my bank account? Yoco instantly performs a series of checks when you enter your bank details while completing your Yoco profile. Click here to read all about them.
What should I check when entering my bank account number? Make sure that your bank account number includes up to 11 digits. Be careful not to enter a card number, which usually has 16 digits.
What should I check when entering my bank selection? Please ensure that the bank you select from the drop-down list matches the bank account details you’ve provided exactly, e.g. if you have a business account with Capitec Business, select Capitec Business from the drop-down menu, not Capitec.
What does it mean if my account is in manual review? There's no need to worry, this just means that we’re conducting additional checks to verify your information. If we need any supporting documents, one of our consultants will contact you within two working days and guide you through the next steps.
Where can I get an account confirmation letter? You can request an account confirmation letter directly from your bank. Please make sure that this letter:
Includes the bank’s name and logo.
Shows your full name or business name, and bank account number.
Isn't more than three months old.
Please note: We don't accept informal letters or screenshots from online banking platforms. To meet our verification requirements, the document must be an official bank-issued letter.