South African citizenship for foreigners
With its unique blend of indigenous and modern influences, South Africa has become a popular destination for people from all over the world. Citizenship to the country is a pretty straightforward process and you can obtain it through birth, descent, marriage and naturalisation.
However, there are certain aspects you need to know before you start on this journey. This guide covers everything you need to know about South African citizenship from the types of citizenship, application process, fees, and even discusses international transfers using Wise, that too at the mid-market exchange rate!
How can foreigners apply for and get South African citizenship?
Different routes to obtaining South African citizenship
- Citizenship by Birth
This is the easiest route to citizenship in South Africa. A child born in South Africa to South African parents becomes automatically at birth. On the other hand, a child born to South African parents outside of South Africa is also eligible for South African citizenship as long as the birth is registered with the country’s authorities. We discuss the citizenship through descent route in a later section of the article. - Citizenship by Naturalisation
This is the most common route of citizenship for expats that are resident in the country for education, employment, business, etc. You can apply for citizenship by naturalisation if you have been a permanent resident of South Africa for five or more years.
You will also need to meet other requirements such as having a clean record, clear the citizenship test, and speak the language. We discuss these in detail in the following sections. - Citizenship by Marriage
Citizenship through marriage is an easier route to citizenship than the naturalisation process. You are granted the right to reside in the country upon marriage to a South African citizen, not direct citizenship. You are required to first hold a residence permit for a minimum of two years after which you can apply for citizenship.
What are the requirements to get South African citizenship?
| Method | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Birth | Persons born in South Africa before October 6, 1995. Persons born in or out of wedlock on or after October 6, 1995 if one of his or her parents is either a South African citizen or a permanent resident. For those born before October 6, 1995 the mother of the child must have been a South African citizen at the time of the birth of the child. Persons born in South Africa, adopted by parents of which one parent is a South African citizen and whose birth is registered. Persons born in South Africa, not having the nationality of any other country and whose birth is registered. |
| Descent | Persons born outside South Africa of whom one of his or her parents was a South African citizen at the time of his or her birth and whose births are registered. Persons born outside South Africa, adopted by a South African citizen, and whose birth is registered. Any person in Namibia on or after March 21, 1990 whose mother or father was a South African citizen at the time of the birth of the child. An adopted child whose custodial parent received a certificate of citizenship resumption and entered South Africa for permanent residency while the child was still a minor, with the child's birth registered within one year of the certificate’s issuance, is eligible. |
| Naturalisation | · Applicant must be a permanent residence holder. · Ordinarily resident in South Africa and has been resident for one year after immediately preceding the date of application. In addition to this he or she has been resident on a valid permit in South Africa for a minimum of five years prior to the application. · Person must be of a good character. |
| Marriage | · Must have been a permanent resident for at least two years, and you must have been residing in South Africa during that time. · It is also crucial to have a good character, sufficient knowledge of the official languages, and the intention to continue living in the country. |
Which documents may be required?
- Naturalisation:
You can submit your naturalisation applications to the DHA. Remember that processing times can vary. Once you are ready to apply, you’ll need to provide the required documentation, which includes the following:- Completed DHA-529 form
- Proof of one year’s continuous residence before applying
- Background check from the South African police
- Police clearance from your current country/countries of citizenship
- Proof of R300 application fee payment
- Proof of language proficiency, usually a passed test certificate
- Letter confirming acceptance of dual nationality
- Descent:
Listed below are the list of documents needed for the citizenship through descent route:- Completed BI-24 form for children ages 1–15, which must be endorsed by the South African parent
- Completed BI-529 form to determine citizenship status
- Original or notarized copy proving South African parent’s citizenship, possibly including a passport, ID, or birth certificate
- Notarized copy of or original foreign birth certificate
- Parent’s marriage certificate, original or notarized copy
- Notarized letter of consent from non-South African parent, allowing the child’s birth to be registered in South Africa
- Copy of adoption order, if applicable
Send money to South Africa using the mid-market rate
If you’re an expat living in South Africa, Wise can help you save money¹ when making international money transfers to South Africa.
Although the majority of banks may allow their account holders to make an international transfer, it is possible that a markup is added to the mid-market exchange rate. It is recommended to check the exchange rate offered by your bank against the mid-market rate, which is similar to the exchange rate shown on Google. Say no to hidden fees!
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them and is considered the fairest rate in the market. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:
Wise customers don’t have to pay an additional markup fee but only a small transparent fee to make an international transaction¹. That’s because Wise uses the mid-market rate for overseas payments!
Can I hold dual citizenship?
Yes, South Africa allows dual citizenship. You can hold onto your previous nationality along with South African citizenship. However, not all countries do not allow dual nationality and it is important that you check if your country permits it.
Can I get South African citizenship through investment?
The country does not offer a direct citizenship through investment programme, however, it does give the option of Business visa and Financially Independent residence permit as alternatives.
- Business Visa
This visa is suited for individuals who wish to invest in an existing business or establish a new business in South Africa. If you wish to apply for the business visa you are expected to invest a financial capital contribution of at least 5 million rand. - Financially Independent Permit
Designed especially for high net-worth individuals, the financially independent visa allows them to stay in South Africa without employment. You simply need to have a net-worth of at least 12 million rand to qualify for this visa. You will also need to pay around 120,000 rand in fees to the Department of Home Affairs once your visa is approved.
Can I get South African citizenship through descent or ancestry?
Yes, you are eligible for South African citizenship if your parent or grandparent was/is a citizen of the country. It is a very simple route to citizenship but requires you to present a lot of documentation on your ancestry and could take a long time to process because of the complex documentation and eligibility requirements. You can apply for citizenship through this route if you meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
- You were born outside of Africa and at least one of your parents was a South African citizen when your birth was registered
- You were born outside of South Africa but adopted by a South African citizen at the time your birth was registered
- You were born in Namibia after March 21, 1990, and your mother or father was a South African citizen at the time of their birth
- You are an adopted child whose responsible parent received a certificate of resumption of citizenship and entered South Africa for permanent residency while they were minors and whose birth was registered within a year after the certificate of resumption was issued
South African citizenship fees and costs
A rough overview of the costs associated with getting South African citizenship is as follows:
- Adult Passport : R600.00
- Child Passport: R600.00
- Naturalisation application and issue of original citizenship certificate: R300
How long does application processing take?
The processing times for applications vary, but on average, it takes approximately six months. It is important to note that the timeline may differ on a case by case basis and is not fixed.
Once your application is approved and you are granted South African citizenship there will be a ceremony where you will need to pledge your commitment to the South African constitution. It adds a special touch to the process and marks the beginning of your journey as a South African citizen.
If you’re looking to embrace South African citizenship, it's important to understand the requirements and plan accordingly. Each step, from collating necessary documents to processing times and the ceremonial completion, marks your progress toward becoming a part of South Africa’s vibrant community.
In summary, South Africa offers a unique and enriching cultural blend, making it a popular choice for those looking to call it home permanently. Whether you’re applying for citizenship by birth, descent, marriage, or naturalisation, each pathway has specific requirements and application steps. This guide has provided insights into these routes, outlined the documentation needed, and shared helpful tips for managing finances through services like Wise to support your journey.
Sources:
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- Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.
- Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
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- Routes to citizenship
- Requirements and documents needed
- Dual citizenship
- Citizenship by investment
- Citizenship through descent
- Fees
- Processing times
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