Not a sole proprietor?
Select your business type below to find out how you can complete your Yoco profile.
• Registered Company (Pty Ltd)
• NPO
• NPC
• Trust
✨ As a sole proprietor you're an individual running a business in your own name, using your ID, and personal bank account*. You’re not registered with the CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) and don’t have a business registration number.
* A sole proprietor is the only business type that doesn't require a business bank account.
Once you’ve signed up with Yoco as a sole proprietor, 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 sole proprietor
✨ 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 address 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? 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 email be sent to a different email address? 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. 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.
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.
International citizens
Take a photo of your valid (non-expired) passport.
Upload a valid work work permit/visa.
Follow the steps here for detailed guidance on what’s required.
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.
South African citizens
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?
Find the fix here.
👎 Using your SA ID number and struggling with face verification?
Find the fix here.
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.
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.
🙍 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 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.
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.
4. 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 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.
5. 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.
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 person who completed the identity verification.
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 (optional) and business category for this business.
Once you’ve entered your bank account details, we’ll verify them automatically. If they match your personal or 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 personal or 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: Use a bank account that’s registered in your name if you’re a sole proprietor/self-employed. Select the Submit button when you’re done.
📄 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.