The unintentional way you can lose your South African citizenship

The three ways foreigners can gain local residency are well documented, but it’s discussed far less publicly how you can lose your South African citizenship. Worryingly enough, in certain instances, dual-citizenship South Africans can lose local nationality without even being aware of it, warns FinGlobal . LOSE YOUR SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENSHIP As The South African has reported before, the 1995 South African Citizenship Act 88 – amended in 2010 – explains that foreigners can acquire South African citizenship in one of three ways: Did you know you can lose your South African citizenship when you apply for citizenship of another country.

However, South African citizens by birth must not forget that they will never lose a right to Permanent Residence in South Africa, even if they do lose citizenship. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? What this means is those who’ve left the country and acquired dual citizenship elsewhere may return permanently to South Africa as residents. But they will have to reapply to resume their South African citizenship, explains FinGlobal.

According to Section 6 of the South African Citizenship Act, you are obliged to seek permission to hold on to your South African citizenship before applying for an additional citizenship. This is critical when it comes to retaining your South African passport, and the right to vote in South African elections as an expat. UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE South African citizens under the age of 18 are exempt and will not need to reapply, a.