Below is How To Apply For Citizenship In South Africa
Discover more about South African citizenship, including all of the requirements and how to go about submitting an application.
Unless you are born in South Africa or have South African parents, you can apply for South African citizenship after holding a permanent residence permit for five years, by marrying a South African citizen, or by being a minor with a permanent residence visa.
You can apply for permanent residence in South Africa if you or your spouse have been living and working in South Africa for a minimum of five years. It’s also possible to apply if you fulfill certain other conditions.
But what’s the difference between citizenship and permanent residence, which would be right for you – and how do you apply?
Determination Of Citizen Status
An application for Determination of Citizenship must be forwarded to Head Office before any application is submitted. This is to ensure that a correct application is submitted by the applicant.
All applications for identity documents, passports, and other services must be accepted following confirmation of the citizenship status of the applicant by the Head Office.
All applications for Determination of Citizenship Status must be fully completed in order to comply with the time for the determination of citizenship status.
Requirement
DHA -175 (application form)
DHA -529 (applicant form)
Proof of continuous residence 1 year prior to application
RSA Police report valid for six (6) months from the date of issue
Police clearance from country or countries of present nationalities
Letter confirming acceptance of dual nationality
Proof of payment (R300.00) as per regulated by the National Treasury
All supporting documents must be attached to enable easy reference to an application. All offices, including embassies, must ensure that office stamps and sign-off are adequately done on each application submitted.
How to apply for South African citizenship by descent
Form DHA-24 to register your birth.
Form BI-24 with signatures from both parents if your parents were unmarried at the time of your birth, to confirm paternity.
Forms DHA-529.
Your birth certificate.
Your parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable).
Is dual citizenship allowed in South Africa?
South Africans are permitted to acquire multiple citizenships, under certain conditions.
When you have dual nationality, you must use your South African passport to enter and exit South Africa.
It is considered a criminal offense to use another passport to enter the country if you are a South African passport holder.