Once you’ve signed up with Yoco you’ll automatically be redirected to the Yoco App (mobile or web) to complete your Yoco Profile. Once your profile has been completed, you can start transacting, getting payouts, viewing reports, and running your business.
✨ 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
At Yoco, we’re not legally allowed to pay out any merchant transactions until we’ve completed the regulatory mandated identification and verification checks required by South African law. These checks also help us keep the Yoco payment network and community safe from risky and prohibited activity, fraud, financial crimes, and cybercrime.
To complete your profile, you’ll need to:
1. Verify your email address
This is the first step towards completing your Yoco profile, and it’s quick and easy.
1. Select the Verify email address button.
2. Select the Send code button on the pop-up and a 6-digit verification code will be sent to the email address linked to your Yoco profile.
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 link 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 as though they have 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
The Financial Intelligence Centre Act (38 of 2001) or FICA was introduced to help fight financial crimes like money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities in South Africa. In line with the Act, Yoco is required to FICA all businesses, by obtaining proof of identity.
If you’re a South African citizen, follow the steps below to verify your identify. If you’re an international citizen, click here for a step-by-step guide to verifying your identity.
South African citizens
Select the Verify your identity button.
Enter your ID number – we’ll verify it within seconds with the Department of Home Affairs.
3. If the information that appears on your screen is correct, select Yes to continue.
👎 Not getting ID verification? Select the 'Scan my ID' button, then flip the toggle to find out what comes next.
👎 Not getting ID verification? Select the 'Scan my ID' button, then flip the toggle to find out what comes next.
1. Upload your ID document from your device. You can specify which type of ID document you’d like to use (ID card, green ID book, or South African passport) by selecting the pencil icon next to the South African flag and ID card.
2. Select Continue to move on to the next step.
✨ Using the Yoco Web App? Select the Continue on phone button to scan a QR code and switch to the Yoco Mobile App.
3. Read the instructions carefully, then select Continue to allow access to the camera on your device.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to frame and photograph the back and front of your original ID document.
5. When you’ve finished photographing your original ID document, read the on-screen instructions carefully before selecting Continue to complete a live face scan.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts and the green indicator to complete the live face scan for your Liveness Check.
7. Once you’ve passed your Liveness Check, your details will be sent to our system for processing. We’ll get back to you with our progress within two business days.
4. Once you’ve confirmed your identity details, select the Scan my face button and we’ll take a live selfie which we’ll match to your ID number via the Home Affairs database.
✨ Using the Yoco Web App? Select the Continue on phone button to scan a QR code and switch to the Yoco Mobile App.
5. 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.
International citizens
Before you start this process, make sure that you have a barcoded passport and your current work visa. Both must be valid.
Select the Verify your identity button.
Select the I don’t have a South African ID link.
Read the on-screen instructions carefully and select the Continue button.
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 as well as the type of identity document you’ll be submitting, and select the Continue button.
✨ Using the Yoco Web App? Select the Continue on phone button at any point in your journey to scan a QR code to switch to the Yoco Mobile App.
6. Read through the on-screen tips, then select Continue button if you’re ready to upload your passport.
7. Open up your passport to show the barcoded page with your passport photo, and flip it horizontally to fit the picture into the frame as shown.
8. Get ready to perform your liveness check. Read through the tips, then select the Continue button to complete the selfie and a face scan.
9. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the Liveness Check. A success message will appear as soon as you’ve passed the check and your details will be sent to our system for processing.
10. Take a clear photo of your current work visa (it must be valid) and save it on your device where it’s easy to find.
✨ We're required to manually check work visas for international citizens.
11. Next, select the Click to upload link in the grey block to upload the photo from your device. Once the photo has uploaded select Continue.
12. As soon as your documents have been successfully submitted, you can continue on to the next step in the complete your profile process: Add your residential address.
🙍 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. 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.
4. Add your NPO or trust number
If you’re completing a Yoco profile on behalf of a trust or NPO, 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
📄 Being asked to upload proof of account? Flip the toggle to find out how.
📄 Being asked 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?
Double-check that the bank you’ve selected during the profile setup matches the bank account details you've submitted 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.