Obtaining South African citizenship entails being a legitimate citizen of one of the world’s most stunning and vibrant nations. Unsurprisingly, so many people are relocating permanently to South Africa from all over the world.
Continue reading if you want to learn how to become a South African citizen after immigrating from a different country.
The Three-Step Method
Most often, there are three steps involved in the process of becoming a citizen of South Africa:
- Temporary residence
- Permanent residence
- Citizenship
A financially independent visa is one situation when the procedure differs. In this case, the applicant is given automatic permanent residency status. This is supported by the fact that the applicant has offered sufficient proof of their ability to financially support their way of life.
You must have one of the following visas to be granted temporary or permanent residency:
- Visas for spouses and life partners
- Visa for relatives
- Retirement permit
- General work permit
- Visa for vital skills
- Business permit.
Establishing Your Legal South African Status
Before applying for South African citizenship, you must possess a permanent residence permit. Also, at the time of your application, you had to have lived ordinarily in South Africa for five years.
All candidates for South African citizenship must meet the following criteria:
- You must have a firm moral foundation.
- You must be fluent in one of the 11 official languages of South Africa.
- You are adequately informed about your South African citizenship’s obligations.
You are well on your way to becoming a citizen of South Africa if you can demonstrate all of this and that you have lived in the country for the required five years.
Citizenship in South Africa
The government organization overseeing immigration, including obtaining South African citizenship, is the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Blood (Jus sanguini) and the right to the soil (jus soli) determine citizenship in South Africa. So, birth in South Africa to parents who are not citizens does not automatically confer citizenship. You must have had at least one South African citizen parent when you were born there or adopted there.
Citizenship in South Africa includes;
- Citizenship by Birth
- Citizenship by Descent
- Citizenship by Marriage
- Citizenship by Naturalization.
South African Citizenship Test
There is no particular citizenship test in South Africa. Nonetheless, foreigners seeking naturalization must pass a language exam proving fluency in at least one of the nation’s 11 official languages, including refugees and the spouses of South African citizens.
The results of the language test and the paperwork required for the naturalization application must then be submitted.
Conclusion
There is no specific test to obtain citizenship in South Africa. Still, you must pass a language test demonstrating proficiency in at least one of the 11 official languages of the nation. This article goes into great detail about South African citizenship, including the types and how to become a citizen of South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is obtaining South African citizenship simple?
You must have lived there legally for five years before you may apply to naturalize as a South African citizen. Before requesting naturalization, you must have lived in South Africa consistently for a year.
What advantages come with being a citizen of South Africa?
You will be able to travel to numerous African countries without a visa if you are a citizen of South Africa, and you will also have the right to naturally reside in one of the world’s most stunning nations.
