South Africa Citizenship
South African citizenship can be obtained via birth, through marriage or through the process of naturalization through which a non-South African national already in South Africa and in possession of permanent residency may become a South African citizen. Citizenship confers permanent irrevocable residency upon the candidate and offers the same rights enjoyed by indigenous South African citizens including the right to vote and a South African passport.
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Global Visas has specialists in the complete range of South African visa and immigration services from short-term visit visas to long-term solutions including South Africa visa and citizenship applications. To find out more, and to set your application in motion today visit the free South African immigration assessment area now.
South African Citizenship Through Birth
Applying South African citizenship through birth depends primarily upon the applicant being born in South Africa, however the candidate must also be able to demonstrate South African parentage, and the exact requirements depend upon when the candidate was born. Applicants born before 1949 simply need to show that they were born in South Africa; however, an applicant born between 1949 and June 1961 must show not only that they were born in South Africa, but also that their Father held either South African citizenship or permanent residency when the applicant was born. Where an applicant was born between July 1961 and 1994, the same rules apply, however either parent may match the requirements of holding citizenship or permanent residency. Finally, for candidates born since 1995, as well as demonstrating their South African birth it will be necessary to show that either parent holds South African citizenship or permanent residence, or that the applicant in question does not have the right to citizenship of any other country.
South African Citizenship Through Descent
Applying for South African citizenship through descent allows candidates who were not born within the current geographical limits of South Africa to become South African citizens where it can be shown that at least one of their parents possesses a grant of South African citizenship. Applying for citizenship through descent also applies to adopted children.
South African Citizenship through Naturalisation
For candidates who were not born within South Africa, and who do not have any parental tie to South Africa through a parent with South African citizenship or permanent residency, citizenship may be obtained through the process of naturalisation. The key requirement for applying for citizenship is that candidates have already taken the opportunity to relocate to South Africa and are in possession of South African permanent residency. Candidates must fulfil the minimum residency requirements outlined below in order to apply. In addition, candidate wishing to naturalise must also satisfy the following criteria:
- Applicants must in all cases be in possession of permanent South African residency and must have been living and working in South Africa for at least five years. Within the eight years directly prior to the application, the candidate must have spent five years normally residing in South Africa and one of these must be the year before submitting their application. The minimum residency requirements form the basis of applications for South African residency however, it should be noted that where an applicant will be immigrating to South Africa as the spouse of an existing citizens the residency requirements will be reduced by half.
- South African citizenship applicants must be at least 21 years of age and must be considered to be of good character.
- South Africa currently has 11 official languages; these are Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu. Of these, all applicants must be proficient in at least one.
You can take the first step towards becoming a South African citizen today, simply take a few moments to complete one of our straightforward online assessment forms and a specialist South African immigration consultant will respond to your enquiry. Find out further information on our South Africa Retirement page.
