Not a Closed Corporation (CC)?
Select your business type below to find the right profile completion guide.
• Sole Proprietor
• NPO
• NPC
• Trust
✨ As a Close Corporation (CC) your business is registered with the CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) and has a business registration number.
Once you’ve signed up with Yoco as a CC, you’ll be redirected to the Yoco App (mobile or web) to complete a few basic identity checks required by South African law.
❗Important: Only after your profile has been completed and your information verified, can you 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.
Haven't downloaded the Yoco Mobile App yet?
The Yoco Mobile App is your 'back office' in your back pocket. Click on the relevant App Store below to download it, and set yourself up to run your business on the go.
Completing your profile as a CC
✨ 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:
Select the Activate profile button in the Yoco Web App to get started.
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.
Select the Verify email button.
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? Select the Change email address link to update it immediately.
Copy the code from the email, then click or tap inside the first block on your screen and paste. 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 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 mobile number
Verifying your mobile number adds another layer of security to your profile and gives us another channel to contact you with important updates.
Select the Verify number button.
Select the Send code button and a 6-digit verification code will be sent to the mobile number linked to your Yoco profile.
📱Need to change your mobile number? Simply select the Change mobile number link to update it immediately.
Copy the code from the SMS, then click or tap inside the first block on your screen and paste. If the code expires before you're able to submit it, select the Resend code and we’ll send you a new verification code.
📲 Mobile verification FAQs
I haven't received a verification SMS. What should I do? Check that you’ve typed your mobile number in correctly, then click the Resend code link.
Can I use one mobile number to verify multiple accounts? No, each Yoco profile must be associated with a unique mobile number.
Can my verification SMS be sent to a different mobile number? For security reasons, we only send OTPs to the mobile number 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 SMS. If in doubt, request a new verification code and try again.
I updated my mobile number during the mobile verification process and the task disappeared/was automatically marked complete. Why is this? The reason this happened is that the new mobile number you added to your Yoco profile is an existing or verified number, so it didn’t need to be verified again.
3. Add your business details
This is where you add the details for the business you want to transact with so that we can keep your account secure and meet regulatory requirements.
Confirm that you have a CIPC registration number.
✨ Don't have a CIPC registration number? No problem, it just means your business isn't a registered company. Select No, or I'm not sure, then choose the option that matches your business on the next screen, e.g. No registration documents if you're a sole proprietor trading in your own name.
Enter your CIPC registration number.
💡 Good to know: You can find your CIPC registration number by:
Logging in to your CIPC profile and selecting Full Disclosure.
Looking up your company information on BizPortal (if you registered your business through the portal).
Dialling 1342472# from your cellphone, selecting Registration Enquiry and following the prompts.
Checking the email address linked to your CIPC profile for your CIPC Certificate of Registration (COR).
The business connected to the registration number you entered will now display on screen. Confirm that this is the business you want to onboard with Yoco and select the Continue button.
✨ Top tips
If the wrong business is showing on your screen, check that you've entered the registration number correctly. If you have multiple businesses, make sure you've entered the number linked to the business you're onboarding.
If you’re seeing an error message, it means there was an issue fetching your company data from CIPC. Please contact Yoco Support for help via our in-app chat.
If your business is in any other state than active, you will not be allowed to onboard with this business. Choose a different business or sort out your business status with CIPC first and then retry.
4. 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.
A list of directors for your business will appear on screen exactly as they're registered with the CIPC. Select your name and your identity number/passport to continue.
💡 Good to know: If you're not listed, it means that you're not registered as an active director, and you won't be able to continue with the onboarding process. If your details are wrong (e.g. your ID number, passport number, etc.) update them with CIPC first, then come back and try the onboarding step again.
✨ The director information that appears in the Yoco App, is the information currently registered with the CIPC. If the list is incorrect or outdated (e.g. a director has left the company, or a new director has joined it, but hasn’t yet been registered with the CIPC), you’ll need to update the director information with the CIPC directly – it’s not possible to add, remove, or edit director names or ID numbers in the Yoco App.
Once the CIPC has approved your change(s), the updates should reflect in the Yoco App within 24 hours. If there's a significant delay between the CIPC confirming the changes, and the updated information reflecting in the app, please contact the Yoco Support Team via our in-app chat.
❗Important: We'll verify that the person completing the next step matches the CIPC records.
Once you’ve selected your name and identity number/passport from the list, follow the steps based on the type of ID you have.
South African citizens
South African citizens
Get ready to take a live selfie to verify your identity.
📸 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.
❗Important: Your selfie needs to match the director you selected from the list. If it doesn't, you won’t pass the liveness test.
As soon as your identity 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
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.
International citizens
International citizens
Get ready to take a photo of your passport. Make sure that all four corners fit within the camera frame.
📸 Photographing your passport
Find a well-lit space – natural light works best.
Make sure all four corners are visible in the frame.
Keep the document as still as possible.
Avoid bright windows or overhead lights directly behind you.
Prepare to take a live selfie for your liveness test.
📸 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.
❗Important: Your selfie needs to match the director you selected from the list. If it doesn't, you won’t pass the liveness test.
As soon as your profile has been verified, a success message will appear and you can continue on to the next step.
🙍 Identity verification FAQs
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 take a photo of your valid (not expired) identity document and 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? No, you must be an active director of a business 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, follow the steps for international citizens.
5. Upload your work permit (if applicable)
1. Select the Upload work permit button.
2. 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.
3. 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 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.
6. Add your bank details
Before adding your bank details in the Yoco App (mobile or web), please check that you meet the following requirements:
You must provide details for a South African transactional bank account – one that can send and receive payments.
The bank account must be registered in the name of the business, and must have been opened with the business registration number of the business you selected from the CIPC-linked list in the previous step.
Select the Submit bank details button.
Select your bank from the dropdown list, choose the type of account – cheque or savings – and enter your bank account number carefully to avoid any mistakes.
❗Important: Make sure that you enter your bank account number, not your card number.
Need to change the account holder?If you selected the wrong business type during the sign-up process, click or tap on the Account holder field, followed by the Change business button to select a new business. You’ll then be prompted to enter the social media details and business category for this business.
Once you’ve entered your bank account details, we’ll verify them automatically. If they match your business details, your account will be approved instantly, and the step will be marked as complete in the Yoco App (mobile or web).💡 Good to know: If your bank account isn’t approved immediately (Capitec Business, for example, can’t be verified automatically) or we can’t verify it, we’ll ask you to upload a bank confirmation letter (not older than 3 months) and we’ll review it manually within 24 hours. If it matches your business details, we’ll complete the verification.
❗Getting a red error message? Find out why – and what to do.
❗Getting a red error message? 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 before closing the banner as you won’t be able to access it again.
Error message: The account number or bank provided is not valid.
Solution: Re-enter your details carefully before selecting the Submit button.
Error message: The account you provided belongs to another individual.
Solution: The bank account must be registered in the name of the business and opened with the business registration number. Use a business bank account that matches the company you selected from the CIPC-linked list.
📄 Need to upload proof of account? Find out how.
📄 Need to upload proof of account? Find out how.
Download a bank confirmation letter from your bank. Click here to find out how.
Drag and drop the letter into the Drag and drop or browse files field, then select the Upload file button. Or, select the Upload file button and locate the letter on your device.
💰 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? 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, this can take up to 24 hours.
What causes a manual review? Some banks (like Capitec Business) can’t always be checked automatically on our system. When this happens, we request a bank confirmation letter (no older than 3 months), which we use to verify the account within 24 hours.
Where can I get an account confirmation letter? You can download a bank confirmation letter from your bank’s website or app. Click here for instructions.
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.
7. Verify stakeholders
We’re legally required to verify all members and membership interest in the company.
Select the Verify button next to the Verify stakeholders task.
A screen will open up with a pre-populated list of company directors. This list is drawn from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission’s (CIPC) current records.
Please note: As the owner of the Yoco profile, your identity has already been verified. The remaining members must now verify their identities.
✨ Are the details on the CIPC list incorrect or outdated?
The member information that appears in the Yoco App when you’re completing your profile, is the information currently registered with the CIPC.
If the list is incorrect or outdated (e.g. a member has left the company, or a new member has joined it, but hasn’t yet been registered with the CIPC), you’ll need to update the member information with the CIPC directly – it’s not possible to add, remove, or edit members names or ID numbers in the Yoco App.
Once the CIPC has approved your change(s), the updates should reflect in the Yoco App within 24 hours. If there's a significant delay between the CIPC confirming the changes, and the updated information reflecting in the app, please contact the Yoco Support Team via our in-app chat.Select the Edit membership interest tile/widget to add your membership interest information.
Enter your membership interest, then select the Confirm button.
Select the Verify button next to the name of the first director on the list.
Enter the email address, mobile number, and percentage of membership interest for the member.
Select the Submit button.
Select the Send link button. A unique verification link will now be sent via email to the member asking them to complete the following tasks:
Give formal consent that you have been authorised to sign up with Yoco on behalf of the company.
Enter their residential address.
Upload an identity document – either a South African ID card, South African green barcoded ID book, South African passport, or international passport.
Complete a liveness check by taking a selfie that will be matched with the photo that the Department of Home Affairs has on record for them.
❗Important: This process must be repeated for each member. Once the uploaded information for each member has been matched with CIPC records, the verification process will be marked as complete.
Once you've sent links to each of the members, make sure to select the Done button – this lets us know that you've sent all the links to the listed members.
💡 Good to know: Once the link has been sent to the member, their status will be updated to pending. As soon as they've completed the required tasks, their status will be updated to verified. If the verification process fails, please contact Yoco Support via our in-app chat.
✨ Need to change member details?
Select the name of the member whose details you want to update.
Select the Edit option on the pop-up window.
Select Send link to send a link with the updated details to the member.
Please note: Member details can only be edited before their verification process has been completed.
✨ Need to resend a verification link?
Select the name of the member you would like to resend the verification link to via email.
Select the Resend verification option from the pop-up list.
Select Send link.
👔 Member verification FAQs
The list of members shown is incorrect or outdated. What should I do? The member information that appears in the Yoco App when you’re completing your profile, is the information that’s currently registered with the CIPC. If the list is incorrect or outdated (e.g., a member has left the closed corporation, or a new member has joined it, but isn’t listed), you’ll need to update the member information with the CIPC – it’s not possible to add, remove, or edit members names or ID numbers in the Yoco App. Once the CIPC records have been updated, the change(s) should reflect in the Yoco App within 24 hours. If there's a significant delay between the CIPC confirming the changes, and the updated information reflecting in the app, please contact the Yoco Support Team via our in-app chat.
A member has not received their verification link via email. What should I do? Please start by double-checking that you entered their email address correctly in the Yoco App. Next, ask them to check their spam/junk folders. If the details are correct, but the link has still not been received, please enter the email address again and resend the link.
Can I fix a member's information if I entered it incorrectly? Yes, you can edit the mobile number and email address for the member, but only before they complete the verification process. Select the name of the member from the list, make the required changes, then click on or tap the Submit button and resend the link, if necessary.
What happens if a member doesn't verify their identity, or if they can’t be verified? Unfortunately, this will delay the activation of your Yoco account and you’ll be unable to take payments. Please encourage all listed individuals to complete their verification promptly, and ensure that all information is accurate.
Need more help?
Start a conversation with a Yoco Support consultant via our in-app chat.