A citizen of a country is an individual recognized under the custom or law as being a legal member of a sovereign nation or allegiance to a government in exchange for its protection, whether at home or abroad.
Below is How to Become Citizen South Africa
There are three main ways to Become a South African Citizenship :
Citizenship by Birth
Citizenship by Descent
Citizenship by Naturalisation
Citizenship by Birth
In terms of the Act, a child born in South Africa and of which one of the parents was a South African citizen or South African permanent residence holder at the time of the child’s birth, shall be a South African citizen by birth in the case of births from 6 October 1995 when the Act came into operation.
The position before that was governed by the South African Citizenship Act, 1949, which contained a wide range of different requirements over the years.
To determine a person’s claim to South African citizenship in respect of births in that era, completion of a BI-529 (Determination of Citizenship Status) is normally required.
Citizenship by Descent
A child born outside South Africa and of which at least one of the parents was a South African citizen at the time of the child’s birth has a claim to South African citizenship by descent.
The child’s birth must, however, be registered in South Africa for the child to acquire South African citizenship.
Citizenship by Naturalization
Foreigners wishing to acquire South African citizenship may apply for South African citizenship by naturalization.
REQUIREMENTS ON CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS
The South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act 88 of 1995) was amended by the South African Citizenship Amendment Act, 2010 (Act No. 17 of 2010) which came into operation on 1 January 2013. It brought in updated requirements in areas of different applications around Citizenship:
NATURALISATION APPLICATIONS
Applications for naturalization may only be received by the office if the applicant has been on a Permanent Residence Permit for a period of five (5) years from the date of obtaining Permanent Residence (PR) in the Republic of South Africa. No application may be received by the office if the applicant has less than the prescribed five (5) year period.
All applicants who wish to apply and are eligible to apply for naturalisation mustbe informed that the process for application will only begin when verification of Permanent Residence Permit has been confirmed by Immigration Services (IMS) through a written and signed letter of proof or PR to be attached to the application.
This will require offices where such applications are received to first send verification of PR requests to IMS before receiving an application for naturalization.
Within the same period submit a request to SAPS for a Police Criminal Record check and confirmation to be attached. (SAPS record must be six months valid).
Applicants must be informed that they must obtain Police Clearance and a letter of acceptance of dual citizenship from country of citizenship (or origin) to be attached to the application for naturalization.
Applications for naturalization must be forwarded to the Head Office Citizenship Section within five (5) working days from date of receiving a fully compliant application by the Front Office.
DETERMINATION OF CITIZENSHIP STATUS IN SOUTH AFRICA
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 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.
How does one become a South African citizen?
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.
How much does it cost to become a South African citizen?
Original or notarized copy of a proof of a South African citizenship. Prescribed fee R 355.27.
How do I apply for dual citizenship in South Africa?
You must apply for and be granted permission by the South African Department of Home Affairs for retention of your South African citizenship before attaining that citizenship. If you don’t do this before receiving citizenship, you can automatically lose your South African citizenship.
Can a foreigner get a South African ID?
Identity documents are issued to South African citizens or permanent residence permit holders who are 16 years or older.
People (including spouses and children) who are working for the South African government or one of its statutory bodies outside of South Africa also qualify to receive South African ID books.
How does a foreigner get citizenship in South Africa?
You can acquire South African citizenship in 3 ways; by birth, descent and naturalization.
How do I become a permanent resident of South Africa?
Apply for permanent residency permit
are in possession of a permanent work offer in South Africa.
have exceptional skills and qualifications.
intend to establish a business in South Africa.
qualify as refugees in terms of Section 27(c) of the Refugees Act.
qualify as retired persons.
are financially independent or.
How many passports are you allowed in South Africa?
Yes, it is possible for a South African Citizen to hold dual citizenship (be a citizen of more than one country). However, in order to make this possible a South African Citizen aged 18 years or older must apply to the Department of Home Affairs for the retention of their citizenship.
Can I get citizenship through my child in South Africa?
The basic principle of the South African citizenship is that a child follows the citizenship or nationality of his or her parents. If one parent is a South African citizen, the child will be a citizen by birth. Children born of permanent residents follow their parents’ status. We do not separate children from parents.