DUAL CITIZENSHIP
Provision is made in the
amended South African Citizenship Act (Act 88 of 1995), for South African
citizens to retain their South African citizenship when becoming a citizen of
another country.
An application to retain South African citizenship must be made BEFORE applicants apply for any other nationality
or citizenship.
For those persons who lost
their South African citizenship prior to October 1995, provision has been made
for the reinstatement of such a person’s South African citizenship after
acquisition of foreign citizenship.
Persons who became citizens
of another country after October 1995 must return to South Africa and apply for
the reinstatement of their citizenship there.
Applicants who are minors under the age of 18 do not need to apply for retention of SA citizenship as they do not loose it automatically by acquiring foreign citizenship.
In terms of the South
African Citizenship Amendment Act, 2004 (Act # 17 of 2004), major South African
citizens holding dual citizenship must enter or depart South Africa making
use of a South African passport only.
Exemption
in Terms of Section 6(2). Retention of South African citizenship.
This exemption
is applicable to South African citizens who have not yet acquired the
citizenship of another country but who are contemplating of becoming one or in
the process of obtaining one. This exemption will enable them to become a
citizen of another country without losing their South African
citizenship.
The following
application forms must be completed: BI 1664,
BI 529 and sent to the High Commission along with a certified copy of a
South Africa ID or a passport, a certified copy of a South African birth
certificate, sworn affidavit stating that no other citizenship has been
acquired. Please note that copies of the documents and sworn affidavit should be
certified only by a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths.
Processing fee is CAN $ 24 per applicant should be paid by money order or certified cheque only made payable to the South African High Commission.
Exemption
in Terms of Section 26(4).
Exemption from the loss of South African citizenship.
South African
citizens who lost their South African citizenship through formal acquisition of
another citizenship whilst no longer a minor and without applying for retention
prior to becoming a citizen of another country, may apply for exemption from the
loss of their South African citizenship as long as they have acquired the other
citizenship before October 1995.
The following application forms must be completed: BI 1666 ,BI 529, a certified copy of a foreign citizenship certificate and a certified copy of a South African ID or a passport or a South African birth certificate must be attached. Please note that copies of the documents should be certified only by a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths.
Processing fee is CAN $ 24 per applicant should be paid by money order or certified cheque only made payable to the South African High Commission.
Application forms of persons
residing in Canada must be submitted to:
South African High
Commission
15 Sussex
Drive
Ottawa,
ON
K1M 1M8