This is something that has interested me as I have gotten older. I love travelling and am always interested to know if we are allowed to hold two passports as South African citizens?
Does anyone actually know? I don’t.
And because I don’t know, I forced myself to sit and do some research on the topic, nothing too indepth mind you, just some online poking around. This is what I found:
You are allowed to have not only dual passports but dual citizenship too! Woop Woop! So invariably you can freely walk about the streets of SA comfortably knowing that you have two passports. EU/SA, SA/British, USA/SA, whatever, wherever it doesn’t really matter.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW IS THIS:
According to the South African Citizenship Amendment Act of 2004, that came into effect on 15 September, it is now an offence for locals with dual citizenship to use their foreign passports to leave or gain entry to the country.
It is also an offence for a citizen, while in South Africa, to use his or her foreign citizenship to gain advantage or avoid a responsibility or duty, says the Department of Home Affairs.
However, the new Act allows South Africans with dual nationality to freely use their foreign passports outside South Africa.
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November 2nd, 2007 at 12:05 pm
if you live and work leagally in the uk for over 5 years you can apply for residency. my sister did that, and she is now the proud owner of two passports.
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:38 pm
I’d have thought it’s a little unpatriotic to have two passports. I mean, you’re South African, but also something else on the sly. Like having two wives, but not quite? I’m happy with my single passport.
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:32 pm
I did a lot of research into this too, and actually even applied for the special “dual citizenship” letter that you used to need to have. About 3 months after getting the letter, the new law came into effect :-/
Nick, it’s not unpatriotic, it’s called taking advantage of your parents or making life easy. I’ve got dual citizenship due to my father being British (I’m a born and bred Saffer). I’m currently living and working in the UK, and travel quite a bit. Using the British passport makes life a hell of a lot easier and cheaper. Popping over to mainland Europe is like driving down to Durbs from Jo’burg for a long weekend or business meeting. Imagine you had to apply for a visa everytime you had to do that.
Whilst I live in the UK, I still consider my home to be South Africa. I’m just here as an “economic migrant worker”, much to the despise of the Brits
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Hi guys, I’m not sure what happened but I don’t think it’s unpatriotic, I was just wondering about the legalities! Colin, love the idea of being an “economic migrant worker”, I think that’s great and agree with that.
I’ve said it before, if you live in SA for your entire existence you are a bit naive, people need to expose themselves to the wonders of the world any which way they can!
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Having just been through the process, I can confirm all of the above. Just one little word of warning though – although you no longer need to travel with a letter giving you permission to hold dual nationality, you DO have to get permission from the SA government before you apply for your foreign passport, otherwise you stand to lose your SA citizenship. The process is:
- write to the UK Home Office to get a letter saying that you have not yet acquired citizenship there
- your letter along with 2 forms (one to prove you have not lost your SA citizenship by living abroad and one to apply for permission to retain citizenship despite another passport) then gets taken to the SA consulate, a fee is paid & a few days later you get a letter saying you are still an SA citizen and you can go ahead and get dual nationality if you want.
- THEN you apply for British citizenship providing you have been over here for long enough legally etc etc – have to write a completely ridiculous “Britishness” test, then attend a ceremony and swear allegiance to the queen – I kid you not
- and THEN you can apply for a UK passport.
In total, it costs close to £300 if I remember correctly.
If you still have any energy left after that, you can even travel on it! When I left SA last time (correctly on my SA passport) I was asked how long I was staying in the UK. When I said I lived there they asked to see my other passport and let me through without batting an eyelid.
As for being unpatriotic, it’s purely practical. Every time you want to go to France even for a day, you have to get a Schengen visa if you travel on an SA passport. This requires you either to take a day off work and go to the embassy in person so that they can see you are not a psycho (!), or to pay upwards of £50 to an agency to do it for you (bear in mind the visa itself costs about £40 for a multiple entry one). So to save my sanity and my bank balance I got a UK passport – it has nothing to do with patriotism at all. I will always be a South African.
Oh, and fyi, everything I have said applies only to the UK – no idea how other places work. I do know that the USA won’t let you hold 2 passports.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Jeanne (or anyone else who knows!) – what reason did you give on the forms for exemption? It seems to be one of those “tell them what they want to hear” situations… only I have no idea what they want to hear!
Also, where do I find the 2 forms you speak of?
And should I do this sooner than later? Or wait until just before I apply for UK citizenship? (only eligible in a year from now)
January 26th, 2008 at 5:19 am
I also would like to know about those 2 forms that where mentioned. I am also applying in 12 months time for my citizenship. so im trying to get all the facts in order so I know what to do when i got to do it.
Cheers
Proudly a SAFFA
March 4th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Hey guys, just wondering if anyone knew what happens if you already got dual citizenship (SA/UK) but didnt apply for permission from the SA Government first??
What a numpty, yeah i know!
But seriously, before applying for british citizenship, i googled dual nationality, checked the sa embassy in london, home affairs website, etc etc. because i was worried about this exact same thing happening! But never came across this before! Ive only heard about it today from a friend who is also applying for dual nationality!!! I cant believe i may have lost my SA citizenship, well upsetting!
Is there anything i can do to retain my SA citizenship without giving up my English citizenship?
Cheers!
Liv
March 11th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Hi
re_dual citizenship & passports:
I was born in UK and have been living in SA since 1970. I travelled once to UK (on a SA passport) but now that I have kids of my own and am married am looking at applying for UK passport. Do I still qualify for UK citizenship (I have my original UK birth certificate which is in my maiden name) I also took on my stepdad’s surname (which was my maiden name)
Can anyone direct me to the correct channels or organizations to help on my case
Regards
Sandra
April 21st, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Hi Liv,
I have the same problem as you. I hold a Dutch passport though and did not apply to the SA Home Office to retain my nationality. I did my research but did not find anything. Have you heard anything further about this and if you can retain your SA nationality?
The SA website does not say anything about the 2 forms or that you need to apply in writing to retain your SA passport. They do say that you do not need the dual nationality letter to travel on another passport.
If anyone can let me know where i get these 2 forms from as my fiance is applying for his British passport – it would be most helpful.
Also if you have any info regarding apply to retain your SA passport – would also be helpful.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:47 pm
In response to the questions about forms for dual nationality see link below where you can download the forms needed to make the application.
http://www.services.gov.za/Applicationfordualnationality.aspx
together with these forms you’ll need to get a letter from the British Home Office stating that you have not acquired British Citizenship. The letter should not be more than 4 months old.
The office to write to for this is:
The British Nationality Division
3rd Floor India Buildings
Water Street
Liverpool
L2 0QN
once you have your forms complete and the letter you’ll need to make an appointment to see the South African Home Affairs in London to hand over your paper work. Appointments can be made by calling 09065540799.
Complicated I know but thats the process.
Hope this is useful.
April 27th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Does anyone know the options of getting a British passport if your grandparents were born there? I would like to be able to come and go to UK as I please and not have to leave after 6 months, which is the case now as a visitor. I do not want to loose my SA citizenship either.
Any ideas for me?
Thanks Jeanette
April 27th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Sorry I see the first message I sent had an error in the email address. Can this be fixed please?
April 27th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Thanks for the comment, the error was corrected in your second comment!
April 28th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Lived in SA since 1967 and kept my British Citizenship and passport. In 84 or 85 when they wanted me for PW’s tour of Africa, I automatically became a South African (as opposed to a South African’t). Held dual nationality and passports ever since. Last time I came to SA (living in UK – how unpatriotic) I forgot my SA passport in the cupboard at home. Came in on my British and they just stuck a visa in – no questions asked. Lets face it, home affairs is in such a state, do you really think that they will pick it up. My advice if you want and qualify for a UK passport, go to the consulate, get the forms, fill them in and supply the relevant documentation and bob’s (not mugabs) your uncle, They are so efficient, that they’ll tell you what date it will be there for collection.
Go for it!
PS Nothing unpatriotic about multiple Citizenship or Passports, SA is home, but so is the UK. Also fancy trying Canada – so if that makes me unpatriotic – tough!
May 25th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I was born in Englad and have lived in South Africa since 1956. I became a South bAfrican citizen in 1965 having broken my stay in S A. In the 1970′s I worked for a foreign government who objected to my travelling on a SouthAfrican passport. I got a new British passport and a letter, in Afrikaans nogaal, allowing me to travel on my British passport and instructing immigration officeres to stamp both passports when I left or entered South Africa. This worked weel as S A did not need me to have my passport stamped in the countries that I visited. I understand that I can still travel outside S A on my British Passport but cannot use it to leave of re-enter South Africa. If I go anywhere will the country that I am visiting want to know why there is no exit stamp on my British passport. Can anyone advise me?
William
June 17th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Hello,
I was born in 1982, my mom was born in England and I am trying so hard to apply for a British passport. Is there anyone that has gone through this process that can help me? I am so desparate but don’t know where to go from here. Any suggestions are much appreciated.
June 29th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I would like to know what reasons to give for retaining my South African Citizenship?
August 5th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I get my Portuguese citizenship when I was 14 I now realize that I may have lost my SA citizenship years ago.
But hey I got my ID and my Passport in South Africa and its never been an issue.
My advise is follow the rules, always go out on your SA passport and come back in on it as well.
I have a sinister suspicion that they only want the info for SARS trust me. Another thing the day the say you must choose which citizenship to keep is a big warning sign that we will be going down the same route as Zimbabwe.
I think it is unpatriotic to have dual citizenship for but I am only a patroit where my bread gets buttered.
September 30th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I will be applying for dual citizenship. I already qualify. I want to know one bit of info please – anyone. What do I say in the letter to the home offices? Do I ask them to state whether I have citizenship? Do I tell them why I need the letter from home office? What do I write? All of the above? What?
October 30th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Hi everyone
I just applied for British citizenship about a month ago and didn’t know I needed to apply for dual citizenship to keep my SA citizenship! I still haven’t heard anything yet about my application for British citizenship, but was wondering – what difference practically would it make if I didn’t have my SA citizenship anymore? If I decide to move back to SA one day – does that mean I’ll have to give up my British citizenship (if I hopefully get it)?
Just a bit confused about it now!
November 10th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Well, I think the dual nationality application is a waste of time. I applied for it a year ago. The home affairs people weren’t sure what it was and I never heard back from them. (I did call once.)
I’m applying for a UK passport now and will just assume everything’s ok. Everyone else I know that has dual nationality has never heard of this application for dual nationality.
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
geez, i’m in a panic now. i had no idea about it now being a criminal offence for a s.a. citizen to enter or leave south africa on a non-s.a. passport and i’m flying to cape town tomorrow!
i can’t work out whether my s.a. citizenship has been revoked already – my situation seems slightly different from everyone else: i was born in the uk, emigrated to s.a. at 10 on a permanent residence visa. automatically became a dual uk/s.a. citizen on turning 16 but have never applied for an s.a. passport. i’ve been living back in the uk since 1997 and have only been back to s.a. once, in 2003. i went in as a british tourist but they asked to see my i.d. book on my way out.
now i’m worried that they won’t let me in when i arrive on friday. i don’t know whether to just go in as a uk citizen again… it’s too late to get an appointment to see someone at the embassy. any advice?
February 9th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I was born in UK went to SA with parents as a child, lived there for 31yrs, left for family crisis in Dec on UK passport one way ticket as i didnt know how long i would be needed, but now have problem as i dont have SA passport to get back in.Cant get any sensible advice anywhere.! noone answers the phones at SA Consulate in London, now i want to go home and dont know how…Also didnt even know that SA had made me a citizen as ive held british citizenship and passport all my life..Thought u had to request citizenship of a country not just be given it without u knowing ! Do i just buy a return ticket to Johannnesburg and hope for the best !!! Someone help me, as passport control at Johannesburg on my departure to UK interrogated me as to why i didnt have permanent residence no stamped in my UK passport..maybe im just stupid but didnt know that was needed either…whats with all these laws !!! Im not a frequent traveller ..laughing ..HELP
February 13th, 2009 at 9:24 am
HELP!! I was born in Cape town, of a Scottish father and S.A. mother and always used my S.A. passport. However 11 years ago I applied for and got with full citizenship with a British passport (long story behind this). When I applied about three years ago to renew the S.A. passport Home Affairs refused unless I gave up the U.K. one, as I did not “have their permission”. I let matter rest but now the U.K passport also needs renewal. What do I do? What are the implications of giving up the S.A. passport/citizenship, because I sure as hell WILL NOT GIVE UP THE U.K. PASSPORT.
February 13th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Lance, I just spoke to an “NIB” queries person on the Home affairs toll free number 0800601190 who saw no problem with me applying for british passports for my 2 children who were born here in SA (and already hold SA passports)
February 13th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Lance – have a look at my follow-up post which does have a section dealing with people who have already applied for a foreign passport without permission from the SA government:
http://sarocks.co.za/2008/12/04/dual-citizenship-qa/
The bottom line is that you do NOT have to give up your UK passport – there is a procedure to apply for resumption of your SA citizenship (which you may automatically have lost when you acquired UK citizenship) – but you have to be living in SA to apply. This shouldn’t be a problem for you.
Giving up SA citizenship while living in SA is a Bad Idea because you will have to start applying for permanent residence or some sort of visa, just to be able to stay where you are.
February 13th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
For anyone else with questions relating to the dual citizenship question, please have a look at my follow-up post which contains a lot more detailed information on the law and how to go about doing things, plus individual responses to questions people have asked.
http://sarocks.co.za/2008/12/04/dual-citizenship-qa/
February 13th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
i also have some problems…in SA, here for 3 years, want to return with my south african baby and spouse. We are getting all our info through a lawyers who deal with immigration and may be able to help. It’s a company called Breytenbachs, i think they also exist that side…and thay are very good, they helped us when we arrived here and are in the process of doing so now. Their fees were not bad at all and they really know their stuff. its http://www.breytenbachs.co.za, hope it might help
February 15th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Hi all.
Im a Dual citizenship and ive been in uk for 3 year been more or less on a long holiday i want to return back home (SA) I dnt have a SA passport But have my ID. So What problem will i accure on teh way . Can i apply for a SA passport back in SA. im going back in 2 weeks only found out about all this today. thx in advance
March 8th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I was wondering I have a UK passport, and need to apply for SA, I am a SA citizen, do I need to declair my UK passport or how do I go about it?
March 8th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I live in SA, I was born in SA, hold a SA and Euro passport (obtained before permission was needed due to parents being scottish) and now need to renew my SA passport – will I have to hand over my British passport? Will they know any different if I dont tell them I hold a British passport? I am going on holiday soon and am worried about getting out and back! Anyone?
March 8th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Lance- I found this on SouthAfrica.info: it was written in 2004 – but I assume still applies. I would take this to the muppets you dealt with in CT. (who I will probably have to deal with as well!)
“The government has appealed to South Africans with dual citizenship to use their South African passports when leaving or returning to the country.
According to the South African Citizenship Amendment Act of 2004, that came into effect on 15 September, it is now an offence for locals with dual citizenship to use their foreign passports to leave or gain entry to the country.
It is also an offence for a citizen, while in South Africa, to use his or her foreign citizenship to gain advantage or avoid a responsibility or duty, says the Department of Home Affairs.
However, the new Act allows South Africans with dual nationality to freely use their foreign passports outside South Africa.
A provision of the South African Citizenship Act of 1995, allowing the minister of home affairs to deprive a citizen of his or her citizenship for having used the citizenship of a foreign country, has been repealed.
As a result, the need for exemptions or letters of permission from the minister to make use of a foreign passport has now been terminated.
“The issue of deprivation of citizenship was inconsistent with the Constitutional right to citizenship”, said Home Affairs spokesperson Nkosana Sibuyi.
“Accordingly, we would like to advise all South Africans who have dual citizenship and do not have South African passports to apply for their South African passports at the earliest opportunity.”
The department said it was mindful that many affected South Africans might not yet be aware of the amendments and their implications.
“We have therefore decided that affected South Africans departing or arriving through our ports of entry, attempting to use a foreign passport, will be issued with a warning giving them three months to obtain a South African passport”, Sibuyi said.
He added that authorities would not, in the meantime, prevent anyone from leaving or entering the country, provided they had applied for the relevant document.”
Hope it helps.
March 8th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Gareth – when you go home on your UK passport, obviously they won’t stop you as it is a valid travel doc, but they will only give you leave to enter the contry got 6 months (or however long foreign nationals are allowed to stay in SA without a visa). After that, as SA immigration sees it, you will be an illegal alien. You could apply for an SA passport once you get home with no problems, but the bottom line is that if immigration then do come knocking on your door and you say you aren’t an illegal alien, here’s your SA passport, then yo fall foul of the rule that SA citizens can’t enter and leave the country on theur SA passport. If at all possible, I would suggest you try and renew your SA passport in the UK. Hope that helps.
Heather and Gordon – my husband and I both hold dual UK and SA passports and last year he applied to renew his SA passport in South Africa. One of the questions on the renewal form was “do yo also hold a foreign passport? If so, which country?” and that was it. They did not want to know your foreign passport number or any other info. And you certainly DO NOT have to hand over your foreign passport!
March 8th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Thanks Cooksister, much appreciated – now all I have to do is get a passport in 32 days!
March 9th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Lance, just to let you know that I submitted my applications in CT for a temporary and full passport this morning with no issues regarding giving up my UK/Euro passport. They did ask and I did state that I had a foreign passport on the applications. I’m not sure who you dealt with but unless your situation is somehow different from just renewing your SA passport, I think you’ve been mis-informed.
March 9th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Thank you Cooksister
April 21st, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I am looking for the referance, but as far as I know one do have permanent residency status in SA if you were born in SA and change nationalities without keeping your SA passport.The purpose of having dual citizenship is thus …what? Here in the Netherlands we loose our SA passport automatically- only the Sa, German and Austria citizens are required to forfeit their dual citizenships!- and dual citizenship are not allowed.
June 12th, 2009 at 11:15 am
My South African Passport expires this month so I applied for a new one. I need to go back to Cape Town in December 2009, will I receive it in time ?.I applied for the SA passport through the South African embassy in Canberra. If I do not receive the passport in time can I use my Kiwi passport?. Will it be dicey to use the Kiwi passport?
June 12th, 2009 at 11:24 am
>> Leon
You should have a new passport no later than four weeks after applying for it through the Embassy. Plenty of time from June – December, even for the snail-pace bureaucracy that South Africa is famous for.
June 12th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Thanks for the reply, sounds befok, seems like I will reveice the “Green Mamba” in time then.
July 19th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Hi
I have been hearing this and that, everywhere- concerning dual citizenship, etc. And that if you hold another countries passport, you will be revoked from your SA one, and have to re-apply every four or so years to stay here- thus giving you an either or option.
Here are the facts: I was born in Germany, with a German mom and dad, lived there for 10 years, and then moved to SA, where my mother whom married an South African Guy. So if I do understand correctly, I can get my German passport, still have my South African passport, no hassle- no problems- and travel and work easy in the EU.
Reason why I am asking, is that i am planning to go in december, and that would make my life easier.
any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
August 11th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Nic,
Having dual Citizenship is great. Actually ZA should allow you to have more that two. But as a 3rd world, ZA only allows 2. They also force you to use the ZA one when you enter and leave ZA. This presents a real problem for people with dual citizenship (but as you do not have dual citizenship you will have no idea). So let me explain. As a proud Aussie (and also holding a South African passport), I need to leave Australia on my Aussie passport, but have to enter South Africa on the ZA one. If something happens to me in South Africa (e.g. police falsely arrests me), then it would be really difficult for me to ask Australia gov to help.
Dilemma, right.
The other issue with a South African passport is that you need a visa to go to the toilet! Yes mate, you now even need a visa to go to the mud island (England). I bit of a joke.
Easy solution is to just get rid of the South African passport & citizenship. As Australia allows you to have more than 2 citizenships (&passports) I can now have UP and US and Aussie. Great!!!
August 11th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Hi again Nick,
Wow I’m getting bored of answering your tripe over and over again but here goes:
“but as you do not have dual citizenship you will have no idea” – I have two passports to two different countries if you can believe it. The shocking part is that I’ve chosen to live in South Africa instead of any European country (being of Greek heritage). I have an EU Passport so I do actually know what the story is. So do me a favour. Stick your opinion to yourself and the other SA-haters you know and probably associate with, that’s where it belongs.
August 12th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Oi Nic,
I do not hate ZA.
I feel sorry for ZA.
It seems like you love slogging off ZA expats. Am not sure why. You also seem to deny that ZA has problems and paint a rosy pickture. Is is not the case.
It is one thing to be possitive about something, but a completely different thing to be blind.
It is great what you are doing be being positive about the place, but be realistic too and do something to improve it. That is when people will return home. Expats will not return home by reading false stories about ZA, and people denying that the country is in a spiral.
And please do not assume things (e.g. i am a ZA-hater, or that there is no issues in ZA, and that theings are not improving) without backing it up.
Have a g’day mate!
August 12th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Nic,
have you actually lived away from ZA for any extended period?
Also, did you get your EU passport because of your parents (did you apply for it, or did your parents) – interesting question?
If so possitive about ZA, why don’t you just give your EU passport up? – or are you hagin on for incase things go bad….
One day, when things are back to normal the expats will return. But looking at how things are going it seems to me that ZA is truely Africa and the spiral continues…..
August 12th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Nic,
Are you taking up my deal?
Give up your EU passport and I will i) give up my Aussie one, and ii) return to Crime-Country.
What you say Nic? C’on. Take me on mate. This deal is completely in your favour. What do you have to loose?
August 13th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Leon,
By law you are not allowed to use your Kiwi passport to enter Crime-Country ZA.
Just apply for a Temporary passport at the same time as applying for a Passport. The Temp passport takes 10 days (issues out of Canberra office ‘Stralia) and valid for 1 year. The nomal passport gets issued out of Pretoria….and it does not take 4 weeks.
Mine took 6 months (it was actually faster to apply for ‘Stralia citizenship than to wait for skilled Pta people to do it!!).
Just be casefull also, as you need fingerprints taken in order to apply for a new passport. In ‘Stralia they only takes your fingerprints wheen you are a criminal. So, guess what, getting your fingerprints is not easy in “Stralia as they look at you as a criminal. Is just one of the joys of being a ZA person and having to deal with ZA process. Another good reason to give us ZA citizenship – the humiliation of being finger printed! Not too mention having a unique number to be indentified by……. remind me again…which other country has this… not the UK, US or NZ…..
good luck mate, and go the ABs.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I hold both british and Sa passports and citezenship. I am going to Dubai for a 5 day holiday. Can i leave Sa on my SA passport but enter Dubai on my british (thus preventing me from having to get a visa for Dubai as British citizens dont need to apply beforehand). Will Sa customs stamp both passports or is it not needed.
October 10th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I was born in UK, but came to SA when I was a kid in ’72. So, now years later, I have dual citizenship and dual passports. Now I will be going to the U.S. using my SA passports for permanent residency over there. Do I have to give up another citizenship or even passport to be a U.S. citizen? Kind of my naive thinking is if I go on my SA passport they can’t take it away, I guess. And being born A Brit they can’t take that away either. I will become a citizen in the U.S., but not looking to get another passport, two is enough for me.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Hi Stephen,
I’m not sure on the exact laws but when I travel I leave SA on my SA passport and enter Europe on my EU passport, repeating the process when returning, leaving on EU and returning on SA. And I’ve had no issues thus far!
November 30th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Ok here’s another query… I was born in South Africa and hold the ‘delighful’ little green passport. My father is South African, my mother was born in New Zealand and I have recently found out I am eligible to apply for NZ citizenship through descent and thereafter an NZ passport. A swift process which should take no longer than 6wks at the NZ Embassy! The catch, I am currently living and working in London as of the last 4yrs on a UK Ancestral visa obtained through my grandfather on my father’s side being born in England. I would like to get the NZ passport as it will be easier to travel Europe without the fuss and cost of schengen visas and useful for my trip to Australia next year, where I would otherwise need a visa travelling on an SA passport. My question, as I am entitled to dual nationality SA/NZ through birth, do I also have to go through this same process with filling in and submitting the 2 forms (BI-529 & BI-1664) to retain my SA citizenship? And what will have when I apply for my ILR in the UK in a year’s time? Will I need to give up one of these nationalities? Anyone been in a similar situation?
January 5th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Good grief. Reading the above and all this boring stuff about having dual nationality blah blah. It is your own prerogative to have one two or three !!! Guys. It is obvious if you live in SA you HAVE show both passports at the airport when you leave for Viza purposes. When you arrive in EU you breeze through. They (Passport Control) couldn’t give a damn where you have come from!!! Pls stop attacking each other about passports and all that KUK. Enough crap going on around us. You wanna live in SA? You want Dual Nationality? Ok Ta. T
January 11th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Dual South African Citizenship
New Zealand applicants, please follow this link.
The Citizenship Act, (Act 88 of 1995), affected on 6 October 1995, provides for retention of South African citizenship PRIOR to acquisition of a foreign citizenship. A condition of attaining dual citizenship for all South African citizens aged eighteen (18) years or older is that they must apply and be granted permission to retain South African citizenship prior to the acquisition of a foreign citizenship. Once granted, the holder must always enter and leave South Africa on their valid South African passport.
If a South African citizen does not obtain this prior permission they will automatically lose their South African citizenship on voluntary acquisition of a foreign citizenship.
South African citizens under the age of eighteen (18) years are exempt and do not require permission as long as they acquire the foreign citizenship before their eighteenth (18th) birthday. They automatically retain their South African citizenship for life unless; once they have reached the age of eighteen (18) years and they then wish to acquire a further foreign citizenship. They will then have to apply for prior permission to retain their South African citizenship – failing to do so, they will automatically lose their South African citizenship.
Changes to the Citizenship Act have abolished the need of having certificates giving permission to hold a foreign passport. Previously these certificates had to be renewed every five (5) years. Now that they have been abolished, you do not need to renew these certificates.
Please note that in terms of the South African Citizenship Amendment Act of 2004 (Act 17 of 2004), which came into effect on 15 September 2004, it is now an offence for a major (aged eighteen (18) years or older) South African citizen to enter or depart the Republic of South Africa making use of the passport of another country. Furthermore, it will also be an offence for such a citizen, whilst in the Republic of South Africa, to use his or her foreign citizenship or nationality to gain an advantage or to avoid a responsibility or duty.
In essence the 2004 Amendment to the legislation provides that a South African dual citizen can use his or her foreign passport/citizenship/nationality freely outside South Africa. However, in South Africa, he/she may not use his or her foreign citizenship to gain an advantage or to avoid a responsibility or duty, which he or she as a South African citizen would otherwise have or have not been entitled or subjected to.
It should be mentioned that South African citizens who automatically lost their South African citizenship never lose their right to Permanent Residence in South Africa. Should they permanently return to South Africa, they will be able to apply for the resumption of their South African citizenship from within the Country.
Requirements for your application
Application for Retention of South African Citizenship (form BI-1664): requires details of your future citizenship for which you are planning to acquire.
Determination of your Current Status (form BI-529): requires details of your present status in order that we may ascertain your claim for South African citizenship. Information pertaining to parent’s details; a minimum of their full date and place of birth is required.
A copy of the photo/details page(s) of your current South African passport showing the passport number and dates of issue and expiry. If your passport is out of date you will need to apply for your new passport at the same time to be eligible to obtain retention of your South African citizenship.
A fee of 25.00 AUD for each application.
Payment must be in Australian Dollars (AUD) made out to the “South African High Commission” by way of Postal Money Order or Bank Cheque. Personal cheques or credit cards are NOT accepted.
Return Postage: Only Australian applications (New Zealand return postage)
For applications originating from within Australia – a self-addressed Express or Registered Post Envelope (only one envelope per family).
Postal address: Only Australian applications (New Zealand postal address)
South African High Commission
State Circle
Yarralumla
ACT
2600
January 16th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Note to all SA citizens abroad with dual citizenship.
Some airlines will prevent you from checking-in if you do not have a valid SA passport to re-enter SA. I do not know how they detect that you have dual citizenship – it may just be a question and answer thing.
My daughter’s SA passport had expired and she was not allowed to board an Air Emerates flight from Gatwick , UK.
SA Embassy was not helpfull – could not tell her what documents are required for renewal of passport , but “come see us and we will see what we can do”
January 30th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
hi,
i’am Portuguese and currently living in South Africa(e get here in december 2008), i’am living with my brother how is South Africa citizen, i have a work permit that ends in 2013, i would like to know what i need to get permanent residence, any help will be a appreciated.
February 20th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Hi everyone
Just wanted to know about this letter that gives you permission to apply for British citizenship, or is there a number to call?
Thanx
March 15th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Wonderful to have dual citizenship, my parents are both from the Netherlands. met here in RSA and got married here – They are not allowed to vote. Living here, making their home here, having their children here. they will never go back, they are south africans and proud of it – but can not vote. where is the fairness of it all. i will also never leave
June 4th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Message for Dennis Shaw – I want to travel to Australia. I have a British and SA passport. If I apply for a visa using my SA passport, it costs a fortune and takes forever. If I apply for a visa on my British passport, all it requires is a stamp for a very reasonable fee. How do I get to travel out of SA to Australia on my British passport?
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:55 am
Ive been living in SA pretty much my whole life but was born in UK, my parents came over when I was 3 or 4. Unfortunately if I win the the lotto I would have to give my ticket to a SA citizen to collect my prize, haha!
August 7th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Hi. I’m at my wits end. My husband (a British Citizen) who also holds a SA Passport and I want to leave SA on a one way ticket…what implications arise from this. What do we need? HELP needed urgently as we want to leave end September!!!!!! I’m applying for a settlement visa so I should be sorted in that sense but what else will crop up?
August 13th, 2010 at 11:02 am
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have really enjoyed reading.
January 15th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
My parents immigrated to South Africa from Germany before i was born. When i was born in South Africa they applied for both passports for me as i was entitled to them. I now live in the UK. Before we (me, hubby and child) came to the UK in 2000 i applied for and received the ‘dual citizenship’ letter. This letter has now expired and so has my South African passport. AM i still entitled to renew my SA passport and do i need to reapply for dual nationality?
(I am also in the process of applying for my husbands dual nationality and then his British passport due to length of stay in the UK)
September 13th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
I have recently applied for my British Passport as my dad was born in the UK. I have lived in South Africa my whole life. I received my passport before I knew about applying for dual citizenship through Home Affairs.
A friend told me that you automatically loose SA citizenship only if you settle in the UK and apply for citizenship (spouse of a citizen or student etc…). But if you apply for a passport because of a UK parent you do not loose SA citizenship. Any comments? does that sound right?
I leave for the UK next month and will probably give the guy at customs both passports not knowing what to do…
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:16 pm
I was wondering if anyone knew who I request a the letter from that I am not a citizen yet in USA? Everyone seems to be doing either their British or Oz citizenship but I am having a hard time finding out who to request that letter from here in the USA. Called the SA consulate here in Los Angeles but no one has got back to me.
November 10th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
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November 25th, 2011 at 3:48 am
Dual passport means that you have dual citizenship right? But I don’t know how it really works.
December 12th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@Mont Kiara:
Having dual passports does not necessarily mean you hold dual citizenship – the one passport might be as a result of your having residency status in a particular country, which is not the same thing as citizenship.
Dual citizenship is, essentially, the position held when an individual is claimed as a national by more than one country. It is not an agreement BETWEEN countries at all. In my case, it would mean that South Africa claims me as a citizens, as does the Netherlands.
I’ve just gotten off the phone with someone at the Dutch embassy. I am what is known as “latent Dutch” ie I have a Dutch mother and non-Dutch father. Until quite recently, I was unable to claim Dutch citizenship by descent as the law would not grant citzenship to children of Dutch mothers who were born before 1985. This law has now been changed.
Essentially, once I go through the naturalisation process, I will be granted a Dutch passport without having to renounce my South African citizenship.
The new ruling in South African law makes traveling outside of South Africa on a foreign passport permissible. It is required, however, to leave and enter South Africa using a South African passport.
Essentially, South Africa no longer removes someone’s citizenship if they hold citizenship elsewhere; it was found to be unconstitutional.
December 18th, 2011 at 12:55 am
Wow, superb blog structure! How lengthy have you ever been blogging for? you make running a blog look easy. The full glance of your site is excellent, as smartly as the content!
January 7th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Hey! I was born and live in SA (and have a SA passport) and dont know of any relatives from UK/EU, but I have the need to obtain a passport to UK or europe. Is this possible? How long does it take to go through the process? Please help!
January 7th, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Say you have a dual passport (UK/SA or EU/SA) how do you use it (according to law)? e.g do you leave SA on your SA passport and enter Europe on your EU passport, repeating the process when returning, leaving on EU and returning on SA,or do you have to show both in both countries? or how does it work?
January 24th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Hello , is it true in some cases if you got married abroad and now have dual citizenship with a local person from that country that the person will not lose their SA citizenship in this case ? Also in this situation there is no need to ask permission if that person already has the two citizenship’s already ?
cheers mike
March 19th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Really useful blog, thanks!
Here’s another question:
I was born in SA, by SA parents, held a SA passport. My family emigrated and, after living in the EU for many years, I acquired an EU passport by naturalization in order to get into my desired course at university. I was required to give up my SA citizenship and present written proof by home affairs, which I did. With a heavy heart, I might add. 3 years later I’m still not very happy about the situation – even though I’ve been living in the EU for a long time, SA is still home, I have a lot of family there and visit very regularly. It breaks my heart to think my future children might not get the citizenship of my home country.
Is there any way to get my SA citizenship back without losing my EU one?
Does anyone know about the permanent residency rights/conditions for people that were born in SA but gave up citizenship?
Hope anyone can help! Thanks!
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