14 Apr Getting South African Citizenship: Beginner’s Guide

Have you ever thought about obtaining South African citizenship? South African citizenship opens up a world of possibilities, like being able to work and study in South Africa without a visa and access to job opportunities. Moreover, South African citizenship offers visa-free travel to several countries, such as the Seychelles. You’ll also be able to vote in elections and run for office, too.

Additionally, once you’ve obtained citizenship, you can pass it on to your children, who can enjoy the same benefits as you. Lastly, you’ll be able to apply for social grants, apply for scholarships and bursaries, and get easier access to property ownership and financial services.

You can obtain South African citizenship through birth, naturalisation, descent, and marriage.

Read on to discover the process of applying for South African citizenship and the documents you’ll need.

Eligibility for South African Citizenship

Applying for South African citizenship is relatively straightforward, so long as you’re eligible.

Citizenship by Birth

If you were born in South Africa to South African parents, you’re automatically eligible for citizenship at birth. You’re also eligible for citizenship if you were born to South African parents outside South Africa, so long as you register your birth with Home Affairs.

Citizenship by Naturalisation

This is the most common route to obtain citizenship for people who reside in South Africa for education, business, employment, etc. After you’ve held permanent residence for at least five years, you can apply for citizenship, provided you have a clean criminal record, pass the citizenship test, have physically been in South Africa for the requisite period and speak one of South Africa’s 11 official languages.

Citizenship by Marriage

Once you marry a South African citizen, you can apply for a spousal visa. Once you’re married or in a life partnership with a South African citizen for at least five years, you can apply for permanent residence. After this, you must follow the process of naturalisation.

Citizenship by Descent

Citizenship by descent has more caveats than other eligibility criteria. You can apply for citizenship by descent if:

● You were born outside of South Africa, and one of your parents was a South African citizen at the time of your birth.
● You were born outside of South Africa and adopted by a South African citizen.
● You are an adopted child whose custodial parent received a certificate of citizenship resumption and entered South Africa for permanent residency when you were still a minor.

Contact June Luna Immigration Attorneys if you have any questions about obtaining citizenship by descent.

How to Apply for South African Citizenship

The forms needed to apply for citizenship vary by the eligibility criteria you meet.

Naturalisation

For citizenship through naturalisation, you’ll need:

● A completed DHA-529 form
● A background check by the South African police
● To pay the R300 application fee
● Proof you can speak one of our languages, usually a test certificate
● A letter confirming your country accepts dual nationality; or that you will forfeit your current nationality

Descent

If you’re the descendant of a South African citizen, you’ll need:

● A completed BI-24 form for children ages 1–15, which must be endorsed by the South African parent
● A BI-529 form to determine citizenship status
● An original or notarized copy of the document proving the South African citizen’s citizenship (such as an ID, birth certificate, or passport)
● A notarized copy of or the original birth certificate
● Your parent’s marriage certificate – either the original or a notarized copy
● If the applicant is a minor, a notarized letter of consent from the non-South African parent, allowing the child’s birth to be registered in South Africa
● If the applicant is adopted, a copy of the adoption order

Citizenship by Marriage

For citizenship by marriage, you must follow the permanent residency process, and then follow the naturalisation process.

Let JLIA Help You Apply for South African Citizenship

June Luna Immigration Attorneys are experts in South African civil services and have years of experience working with VFS and the Department of Home Affairs. Let us assess your eligibility, help you gather and submit the correct documents, and follow up on your application on your behalf.

Become a South African citizen with June Luna Immigration Attorneys – contact us today!