Many South Africans are unaware of how assuming citizenship in another country might affect their South African citizenship. If you want to apply for foreign or dual citizenship, it is vital to apply for your citizenship retention letters before starting the process. Since it can be a lengthy procedure, it is advisable to apply for these letters as soon as possible.
When you apply for citizenship retention letters, you are allowed to keep your South African citizenship when acquiring another country’s citizenship. These letters or certificates are issued by the South African Department of Home Affairs.
Who needs to apply for South African citizenship retention letters?
Any South African that wishes to take up citizenship in another country is required by law to formally apply with the Department of Home Affairs (or their closest South African mission or consulate abroad) to retain their SA citizenship. If you do not wish to lose your South African citizenship, you must apply to maintain your citizenship before applying for citizenship in another country.
Individuals applying for dual citizenship must also obtain permission from the DHA to retain their South African citizenship. This must be done before applying for foreign citizenship. Before applying for a retention letter, though, you must complete the Determination of Citizenship process. Failing to apply for a retention letter can see you losing your South African citizenship.
Section 6(1)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 states that all South Africans must apply for retention of their SA citizenship before applying for other citizenship. Failing to do so will lead to the automatic termination of South African citizenship on voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship.
If you lose your South African citizenship, there is an option to resume citizenship. But the process is extremely complicated. Even though an opportunity for restarting South African citizenship does exist, it is not advisable to follow this route. Especially since you can easily prevent losing your citizenship in the first place. Resumption of South African citizenship requires you to live in the country for an extended time. It also goes hand-in-hand with extensive administrative and financial obligations.
Renunciation of your South African citizenship
In some cases, you might need to renounce your South African citizenship before you can obtain citizenship in another country. Some countries, like Germany, for example, require proof that citizenship applicants renounced their former citizenship before they can obtain citizenship in that country.
If you plan to take up citizenship in a country that requires you to renounce your SA citizenship, you must apply for renunciation at the Department of Home Affairs. To do this, you must complete the Renunciation of South African Citizenship Application Form (DHA-246). You must also submit proof of your new foreign citizenship. You can also submit a confirmation letter stating that you are in the process of obtaining another citizenship.
If you are unsure if you still have South African citizenship, you can complete an application for the Determination of South African Citizenship.
Get in touch with Apostil
Most South Africans who have lost SA citizenship, or chosen to take another citizenship over their own, apply for SA permanent residency and can continue travelling in and out of SA, living as long as they wish in the country, without losing any benefits except the ability to vote.
Apostil.co.za can help you with Determination, Retention, and Renunciation letters pertaining to your South African citizenship. We take care of your application from abroad on your behalf. Please contact us or look at our pricing and fill in the enquiry form if you need help with the matter.
Our Son got Dual Irish Citizenship. His SA Passport Exp 2021. His Father is very ill with Mesothelioma Cancer of the Lung Pleura. He desperately want to visit him in SA. He is married to a Polish woman, and they have a 9yr old Son. He can get a EmergencyTravelDocument into SA, and apply for new Passport. He need a Retention Certificate urgently. He just want to visit for about 2weeks, and needs to be certain he would be able to return to Ireland.