Quick answer: If you want to check RICA status USSD, use your own network’s official self-service route. There is no single RICA status USSD code that is verified across all South African networks. MTN currently says you can dial *135#to confirm the RICA status of your SIM, while Vodacom points users to Vodacom Online / VodaPay and general self-service, and Cell C and Telkom route users through their RICA, app, store, web, or customer-care support channels. Last checked: 26 June 2026. (MTN)
Use this guide to check if SIM is RICA registered, understand which provider route to use, and know when you must contact the network directly instead of retrying old codes from forums or outdated posts.
Quick Support Route
Start with the provider that issued your SIM card. RICA status is linked to your SIM, mobile number, identity details, and the provider’s customer record. A code that works on one network may not work on another.
| Network | Best first step | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| MTN | Dial *135# from the MTN SIM and follow the prompts. | MTN currently says *135# can confirm the RICA status of your SIM. (MTN) |
| Vodacom | Log in to Vodacom Online / VodaPay, or use Vodacom support if you need confirmation. | Vodacom’s self-service information lists “Check your RICA status” under online account actions, while *135# is described as a general USSD self-service menu. (VodacomNow) |
| Cell C | Use Cell C app, website self-service, customer care, or a Cell C store. | Cell C’s official support pages show general USSD and customer-care routes, but I could not verify a current RICA-status-only USSD code on the official pages checked. (Cell C) |
| Telkom | Use Telkom RICA Online, MyTelkom, Telkom support, or a Telkom store. | Telkom’s RICA process is online and asks for SIM ICCID, ID details, proof of address, and selfie verification. (rica.telkom.co.za) |
For broader menus, use mobile self-service codes South Africa. If your RICA issue is linked to a lost SIM, replacement SIM, or number takeover concern, read how to do SIM swap South Africa before taking the next step.
What You Need Before You Start
Before using a check RICA status USSD route, make sure you are checking the correct SIM. If the SIM is not active, has no signal, or has been disconnected, USSD may fail even when the code is correct.
You may need:
| What you need | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The SIM card in a working phone | USSD checks must usually be done from the SIM you want to check. |
| The mobile number | Customer care may ask for the number before checking the account record. |
| SIM pack or ICCID number | Telkom’s online RICA process asks for the ICCID number found on the SIM pack. (rica.telkom.co.za) |
| South African ID, passport, or accepted identity document | RICA registration links the SIM to identity details. |
| Proof of address | Telkom lists proof of address as part of its online RICA process, such as a utility bill, store account statement, or bank statement. (rica.telkom.co.za) |
| Access to SMS or email | Telkom says its online RICA process sends an email and SMS link for contact verification. (rica.telkom.co.za) |
| A camera-enabled device | Some online RICA processes require document upload and selfie verification. (rica.telkom.co.za) |
Do not share your ID number, SIM serial number, OTP, banking PIN, or account passwords with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. RICA details can be sensitive because they connect a SIM to a person’s identity. South African authorities have also highlighted the need for stronger verification and accurate record-keeping around SIM registration. (Justice)
Provider-by-Provider Options
MTN RICA Status
For MTN, dial *135# from the MTN SIM and follow the on-screen prompts. MTN currently says this route can be used to confirm the RICA status of your SIM. MTN also says self-RICA is available through the MTN App. (MTN)
If the SIM has been disconnected because of RICA, MTN says users may only be able to call MTN support routes, and that reconnection requires RICA registration with identity document, proof of residence, and the SIM card. (MTN)
Use MTN support if:
- *135# fails or times out repeatedly.
- The SIM has no signal.
- You receive a message saying the SIM is barred, disconnected, or not RICA-compliant.
- You completed RICA but the SIM is still not working.
- The RICA status does not match what you expected.
Vodacom RICA Status
For Vodacom, use Vodacom Online / VodaPay or Vodacom support to confirm the RICA status. Vodacom’s self-service guide says online account users can complete account actions that include checking RICA status. It also explains that *135# is Vodacom’s general USSD self-service menu for account management when you do not have internet access. (VodacomNow)
For new SIM registration, Vodacom says self-RICA can be completed through VodaPay / TOBi, and that users need a new SIM card, proof of address, ID, and a selfie. Vodacom says users receive an SMS once the SIM has been successfully RICA registered and activated. (VodacomNow)
Use Vodacom support if:
- You did not receive a successful RICA SMS.
- The SIM is still not active after RICA.
- Your online profile cannot link to the number.
- You cannot receive OTPs.
- The number may have been SIM-swapped or ported without your permission.
Cell C RICA Status
For Cell C, use the Cell C app, Cell C website self-service, customer care, or a Cell C store. Cell C’s official support pages list several self-service routes for account issues, including app, website, IVR, USSD for certain services, and customer care. The official pages checked did not confirm a current Cell C RICA-status-only USSD code, so do not rely on old third-party codes unless Cell C confirms them. (Cell C)
For RICA registration, Cell C’s online RICA route says users need SIM details, proof of identity, proof of address, and a device with a camera for a selfie. (Switch to see)
Use Cell C support if:
- You cannot confirm the SIM’s RICA status in self-service.
- Your SIM is inactive after registration.
- You need to update RICA details.
- You are doing a SIM swap.
- Your SIM has been lost, stolen, or damaged.
Telkom RICA Status
For Telkom, use Telkom RICA Online, MyTelkom, Telkom customer care, or a Telkom store. Telkom’s RICA Online process asks for RSA ID and SIM ICCID number, personal details, contact verification, ID upload, proof of address, and selfie verification. (rica.telkom.co.za)
Telkom’s customer-care page lists *180# as a general self-service number and also links users to Rica Online. I could not verify a Telkom RICA-status-only USSD code on the official Telkom pages checked. (Telkom)
Use Telkom support if:
- Your Telkom SIM does not activate after online RICA.
- You entered the wrong ICCID or ID details.
- You did not receive the SMS or email verification link.
- Your documents were rejected.
- Your SIM is active but account services are not working.
Check Network or Account Status First
A RICA status problem can look like a network problem, SIM problem, or account problem. Before assuming the SIM is not RICA registered, check the basics:
- Restart the phone.
- Make sure the SIM is inserted correctly.
- Check whether the phone shows signal bars.
- Try the SIM in another compatible phone if available.
- Confirm that you are using the correct network’s self-service route.
- Check whether the SIM is newly purchased, recently swapped, ported, or inactive.
- Avoid repeated failed attempts if the menu keeps timing out.
If the SIM has no signal at all, USSD may not open. In that case, use the provider’s app, website, store, or customer-care route from another phone.
Retry Safely
If the check RICA status USSD code does not work, retry once after restarting your phone. Do not keep entering different codes from old forum posts, social media comments, or copied WhatsApp messages.
Safe retry steps:
- Dial only the code shown on your provider’s current official page.
- Use the SIM you want to check, not another SIM.
- Make sure mobile network signal is available.
- Wait a few minutes if the network is busy.
- Try the provider app or website if USSD does not load.
- Contact customer care if the same error repeats.
Do not enter your banking PIN, OTP, or online-account password into a USSD menu that is not clearly from your provider. RICA status checks should not require banking credentials.
When You Must Contact Customer Care
Contact your network directly if the self-service route does not give a clear answer or if the issue may involve SIM security.
| Problem | Why customer care is needed |
|---|---|
| SIM has no signal | USSD may not work if the SIM is inactive, barred, damaged, or disconnected. |
| SIM says emergency calls only | The provider must confirm whether the SIM, device, or account is blocked. |
| RICA was completed but the SIM still does not work | The registration may be pending, rejected, or not linked correctly. |
| You cannot receive OTPs | This may affect banking, email, and account security. |
| Your number suddenly stopped working | It may be a SIM swap, porting, or fraud issue rather than only RICA. |
| Your documents were rejected | The provider must tell you what to correct or resubmit. |
| Your number appears linked to the wrong person | This needs direct provider investigation. |
| You suspect fraud | Stop retrying menus and contact the provider’s official fraud or support channel. |
If your phone was stolen, your SIM was lost, or you suspect someone else is using your number, do not focus only on checking RICA status. Block the SIM, secure your accounts, and follow the correct SIM swap or fraud-reporting route.
Official Support Route
Use the official provider route whenever a code fails, a SIM is disconnected, or your personal details may need verification.
For MTN, start with *135# for the RICA status check, then use MTN support if the SIM is disconnected or the menu cannot confirm your status. MTN says a disconnected non-RICA SIM may be limited to support calls only. (MTN)
For Vodacom, use Vodacom Online / VodaPay, TOBi, or Vodacom customer care. Vodacom says users receive an SMS when RICA is successful, and if verification is unsuccessful, Vodacom will guide users on the next steps. (Vodacom)
For Cell C, use Cell C self-service, app, website, customer care, or store support. Cell C’s support pages list app, website, IVR, USSD, and customer-care routes for account and SIM-related help. (Cell C)
For Telkom, use Telkom RICA Online, MyTelkom, *180# for general self-service, or Telkom mobile support. Telkom’s customer-care page lists *180# as a self-service number and links users to Rica Online. (Telkom)
Related SIM, PUK, and Account Guides
Use these related guides when RICA status is only one part of the problem:
- Mobile self-service codes South Africa — use this when you need the main USSD menu for your provider.
- How to do SIM swap South Africa — use this if your SIM is lost, stolen, damaged, replaced, or suspected of being taken over.
- Find my phone number USSD code — use this if you need to confirm the number before asking the provider to check the account.
FAQ
What is check RICA status USSD used for?
Check RICA status USSD is used to confirm whether your SIM appears registered on your network’s system. This is useful before doing a SIM swap, buying bundles, porting a number, using mobile banking OTPs, or troubleshooting a SIM that is not working.
What is the code for check RICA status USSD?
There is no single verified code for every South African network. MTN currently says users can dial *135# to confirm the RICA status of an MTN SIM. Vodacom lists RICA status checking under online self-service, while Cell C and Telkom should be checked through their official app, web, store, or customer-care routes unless they confirm a specific live USSD path. Last checked: 26 June 2026. (MTN)
Does this USSD code need airtime or data?
USSD does not normally require mobile data, but it does require a working connection to the mobile network. If the SIM is inactive, disconnected, barred, damaged, or not attaching to the network, the USSD menu may fail.
What should I do if the code does not work?
Restart the phone, check signal, confirm you are using the correct provider’s route, and try once more. If it still fails, stop retrying random codes and use the provider’s official app, website, store, or customer-care channel.
Can I check if SIM is RICA registered without the SIM?
Usually, the easiest route is to check from the SIM itself or through the provider account linked to that number. If the SIM is lost, stolen, damaged, or has no signal, contact the provider directly and be ready to verify your identity.
Are there costs, limits, or eligibility rules for checking RICA status?
Costs and rules can change by network and account type. MTN currently says RICA and SIM activation are free on its RICA information route, and Vodacom says RICA registration is free and digital RICA services are zero-rated for Vodacom customers. Always verify fees and limits on the current provider page before relying on them. (MTN)
Where can I find related USSD codes?
Start with mobile self-service codes South Africa. If your issue involves a lost SIM, blocked SIM, replacement SIM, or security concern, continue with how to do SIM swap South Africa.