As a regulated payment institution, Yoco is legally required to maintain accurate and up-to-date records on your profile. If your profile needs to be updated, we’ll reach out to you via email and in-app messaging.
❗ Important: This profile update is mandatory. Please complete it within 21 days of being notified. If you miss the deadline, your profile will be disabled and you’ll be unable to transact with Yoco. You will, however, be able to access your profile and reports. Your profile will be reactivated as soon as it has been updated.
Please note: Only the business owner can update the Yoco profile.
To update your profile as a sole proprietor, you’ll be asked to complete some (or all) of the following tasks in the Yoco App (mobile or web):
South African citizens: If you don't get a successful selfie result with your ID number, you’ll need to take a live photo of your original green ID book, smart ID card or valid barcoded passport.
International citizens: You’ll need to take a live photo of your original passport and confirm your identity with a liveness check. You’ll also also need to photograph your valid work permit/visa.
(Please note: Drivers' licences, scanned copies, and PDFs will not be accepted.)
To get started, select the Update your profile tile/widget from the Hub tab in the Yoco App (mobile or web).
1. Confirm your business type
From the Update your profile tile/widget, select the Review Business Type button.
If the business type displayed on the pop-up screen is correct, select the Confirm button to complete this task. If the business type displayed on the pop-up screen is incorrect, select the Change button and follow the steps below.
Choose the correct business type from the list provided, then select the Continue button.
If you’re updating your business type from a sole proprietor to a registered company (Pty Ltd), Closed Corporation (CC), or NPC, select the Update bank details button to provide us with new bank details for your business. If you don’t have details for a business bank account, continue your profile update as a sole proprietor. Then, once you’ve completed the process, please contact Yoco Support via our in-app chat and a consultant guide you through the transfer of ownership process.
Select the Change button on the right of the screen next to the Current bank details heading.
Select the I understand button to confirm that you are aware that the bank details you are about to provide are for:
A transactional bank account (one that can make and take payments)
An account that is linked to the CIPC registration number for your business.
Enter the new bank details and select the Request change button. We’ll then complete a manual review of your new account and confirm with you via email once it's been approved.
2. Verify your identity
From the Update your profile tile/widget, select the Verify identity button.
Follow the identity verification steps here, based on the type of ID you have. OR, if you’ve recently completed the ID verification process with Yoco, continue with the next step.
If your correct ID number is showing on your screen, select the Confirm button. If the ID number on your screen is incorrect, select the Wrong ID number link.
Select the Request change button to update your ID number, and a Yoco consultant will reach out and guide you through the next steps.
Select the Continue button to move on to the next task.
Verification: South African citizens
Verification: 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 steps below.
Select the Verify your identity button, then select the I am the owner button to confirm that you are the business owner.
Enter your ID number and we’ll verify it within seconds with the Department of Home Affairs. No documents needed.
If the details displayed are correct, select Yes to continue.
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.
If camera access is required, a permissions box will appear on your screen. Select the Allow while visiting the site or Allow this time button to continue the process and take your selfie.
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, and anything else that may block your face.
Keep still and stay within the oval until the scan is complete.
As soon as your profile has been verified, a success message will appear and you can continue on to the next step.
👎 Using your SA ID number and struggling with face verification?
👎 Using your SA ID number and struggling with face verification?
If you don't get a successful selfie result with your South African ID number, you’ll need to take a live photo of your ID document.
Choose the 'All countries except USA' option for your country of residence from the two options provided.
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 Continue button.
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
❗ Important: You must use your ID document when completing this step. You'll be asked to take a selfie in the next step, which must match the ID document you've just uploaded. If it doesn't, your identity check will be unsuccessful.
If camera access is required, a permissions box will appear on your screen. Select the Allow while visiting the site or Allow this time button to continue the process and upload your identity document.
Follow the on-screen instructions to frame your original ID document. When your passport is correctly positioned, select the round white camera button to photograph it.
Follow the on-screen prompts and the green indicator to complete the face scan for your liveness check.
Once you’ve completed your liveness check, we'll compare it against the ID document you photographed. If the match is successful, your identity check is complete. This process will only take a few seconds.
👨 Tips for the liveness check
Centre your face so that it fills most of the on-screen circle.
Move your head slowly until all the lines around the circle turn green.
Look straight 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, and anything else that may block your face.
Keep still and stay within the oval until the scan is complete.
Verification: International citizens
Verification: 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
This 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. If your visa has been extended, you can upload your old visa with proof of extension.
Select the Verify your identity button.
Choose the I don’t have a South African ID link.
Read the on-screen instructions carefully, then select the Continue button.
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 Continue button.
Choose the country where your identity document was issued, and select the Continue button.
✨ Using the Yoco Web App? Select the Continue on phone button to scan a QR code and switch to your mobile.
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. When your passport is correctly positioned, select the round white camera button to photograph it.
❗Important: We only accept valid (not expired) passports issued by your government. You must use your passport when completing this step.
Follow the on-screen prompts and the green indicator to complete the face scan for your liveness check.
Once you’ve completed your liveness check, we'll compare it against the ID document you photographed. If the match is successful, your identity check is complete. This process will only take a few seconds.
👨 Tips for the liveness check
Centre your face so that it fills most of the on-screen circle.
Move your head slowly until all the lines around the circle turn green.
Look straight 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.
Select the Upload work permit button.
Upload your work permit/visa. Before you select the Continue button, make sure that it 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.
Once you've uploaded your work permit/visa, we'll review it and let you know if your identity has been verified. This usually takes 1–2 working days.
✍️ Work permit/visa FAQs
What qualifies as a valid work permit/visa? Only permits/visas officially issued by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs will be accepted. Your permit/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 permit/visa? Entry, exit, and visitor stamps in your passport do not qualify as a valid work permit/visa.
The work permit/visa in my passport is expired. What should I do? We cannot accept an expired work permit/visa for verification. However, if you’re in the process of renewing your permit/visa, you can submit your expired permit/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 permit/visa is still valid. What should I do? If your passport has expired, but it contains a valid work permit/visa, you can still upload the permit/visa.
Does the work permit/visa need to be in my name? Yes, the work permit/visa must be in your name. We'll validate the details on the permit/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.
Verification: Asylum seekers and refugees
Verification: Asylum seekers and refugees
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.
3. Confirm your trading address
From the Update your profile tile/widget, select the Review trading address button.
If your trading address is still the same as the one provided, select it from the list provided. If your trading address has changed, select the X in the Business trading address field and enter your new address.
Enter any additional address information, e.g. unit number, building name or number, floor etc.
Need more help?
Start a conversation with a Yoco Support consultant via our in-app chat.