Dual South African Citizenship

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 twenty-one (21) 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 twenty-one (21) years are exempt and do not require permission as long as they acquire the foreign citizenship before their twenty-first (21st) birthday. They automatically retain their South African citizenship for life unless; once they have reached the age of 21 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 twenty-one (21) 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

1. Application for Retention of South African Citizenship (form BI-1664): requires details of your future citizenship for which you are planning to acquire.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. A fee of 18.00 AUD for each application.

Return Postage:

• For applications originating from within Australia - a self-addressed Express or Registered Post Envelope (only one envelope per family) OR a Postal Money Order or Bank Cheque made payable to the South African High Commission.
• For applications originating from outside Australia a Bank Draft for the amount of
  10.00 AUD made payable to the South African High Commission. (Fee covers
  whole family / group).

Personal cheques or credit cards are NOT accepted.

Postal address:

South African High Commission
State Circle
Yarralumla
ACT
2600

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