South African Citizenship

South African citizenship grants individuals the right to live and work in the country and enjoy the privileges and responsibilities associated with being a South African national. Citizenship can be acquired through birth, descent, or naturalisation.

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Types of South African Citizenship

• Citizenship by Birth:
  • ‍A child born inside or outside of South Africa is a South African citizen if at least one of the child's parents is a South African citizen.
  • Any person born in South Africa of parents who have been admitted into the Republic for permanent residence and who is not a South African citizen, qualifies to be a South African citizen by birth, if he or she has lived in the Republic for the date of his or her birth to the date of becoming a major, and his of her birth is registered in the Republic.
• Citizenship by Descent:
  • Any person who is adopted in terms of the provisions of the Children's Act by a South African citizen and whose birth is registered in the correct manner, shall be a citizen by descent.
• Citizenship by Naturalisation:
  • Foreign nationals can apply for South African citizenship through naturalisation after fulfilling certain requirements, including:
    • Having been a permanent resident in South Africa for at least five years.
    • Demonstrating good character and adherence to the laws of the country.
    • Proving an intention to remain in South Africa.
  • A child born in the Republic of parents who are not South African citizen or who have not been admitted into the Republic for permanent residence, qualifies to apply for South African citizenship upon becoming a major if, he or she has lived in the Republic from the date of his or her birth to the date of becoming a major; and his or her birth has been registered in the correct manner
• Requirements for Naturalisation:
  • To apply for naturalisation, the applicant must:
    • Be 18 years or older.
    • Have been a permanent resident in South Africa for at least five years.
    • Be of good character (no serious criminal convictions).
• Dual Citizenship:
  • South Africa recognises dual citizenship but only under specific conditions. Individuals who acquire a foreign citizenship without first applying for Retention of South African citizenship, will lose their South African citizenship.
• Renunciation of South African Citizenship:
  • A South African citizen who intends to accept the citizenship or nationality of another country, or who also has the citizenship or nationality of a country other than the Republic, may submit an application to renounce his or her South African citizenship
• Loss of South African Citizenship:
  • South African citizenship may be lost in certain situations, such as:
    • Voluntarily acquiring a foreign nationality without first applying for Retention of South African citizenship through the South African government.
    • Engaging in acts that are inconsistent with allegiance to South Africa (e.g., mercenary activities or serving in foreign armed forces).
• Citizenship for Minors:
  • Minors can acquire South African citizenship through their parents, either by birth or descent. Parents must apply for citizenship for their children under 18.
• Determination of Citizenship
  • If there is uncertainty regarding a person’s citizenship status, they can apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a formal determination of their citizenship. This process involves verifying the person's birth, descent, or other relevant factors to establish whether they qualify for South African citizenship.
• Citizenship Application Process:
  • The application process for citizenship varies based on the type of citizenship being applied for. Applicants need to submit the required forms and documents to the South African Department of Home Affairs, undergo interviews if necessary, and pay any applicable fees.

Further Assistance

For more detailed guidance or assistance with your citizenship application, please contact us. Our team is available to help you navigate the process and answer any questions you may have.