You have built your life in South Africa. You have held permanent residence, lived here, worked here, paid taxes. At some point the question becomes: can I become a citizen?
Citizenship by naturalisation is the route for foreign nationals who have made South Africa their permanent home. It is not automatic — and unlike citizenship by birth or descent, it is not a legal right. But for those who meet the requirements, it is the path to a South African passport, a Smart ID, and full rights as a citizen.
This page covers exactly who qualifies, what documents you need, what the process looks like, and what to expect.
Who Qualifies
Standard Route — Permanent Resident for 5+ Years
You qualify to apply if you meet all of the following:
- You hold a valid South African permanent residence permit
- You have held that permit for more than five years
- In the five years preceding your application, you have not been absent from South Africa for more than 90 days in any single year
- The 12 months immediately before you apply must have been spent continuously in South Africa as a permanent resident
- You are of good character — no serious criminal record
- Your country of origin allows dual citizenship, OR you are willing to renounce your foreign citizenship
Physical presence matters. The DHA assesses your travel history. Extended absences — particularly more than 90 consecutive days or a combined total that suggests South Africa is not your genuine home — can result in rejection even if you technically meet the five-year requirement.
Minor Children (Under 21)
A minor who is under 21 years of age and holds a permanent residence permit may apply for citizenship by naturalisation before completing five years, provided they have a parent or legal guardian who is a South African citizen or is simultaneously applying for naturalisation.
Spouses of South African Citizens
Marriage to a South African citizen does not grant citizenship directly. A foreign spouse must first obtain a spousal permanent residence permit and then meet the standard residence requirements before applying for naturalisation. However, the qualifying period may differ — confirm with the DHA or a qualified immigration practitioner for your specific situation.
Important: Not a Legal Right
Citizenship by naturalisation is not a guaranteed right. The Minister of Home Affairs has full discretion to grant or refuse an application — even where all stated requirements are met. This is fundamentally different from citizenship by birth or descent, which are legal rights that cannot be withheld if the facts are established.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Naturalisation application fee | R300 |
| Re-issue of identity document (BI-9) | R140 |
| Total | R440 |
Both fees are paid to the DHA. Confirm current fees at your nearest DHA office before submitting — fees are subject to change.
Step 1 — Determination of Citizenship First
Before submitting your naturalisation application, a Determination of Citizenship must be forwarded to DHA Head Office. This step verifies your current citizenship status and confirms that a correct application can be submitted.
Do not skip this step. Applications submitted without a prior Determination of Citizenship will not be processed. See the Determination of Citizenship Status guide for the full process.
Documents Required
Once your Determination of Citizenship is complete, submit the following to a DHA live capture office (originals and certified copies):
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Form DHA-63 (Application for Certificate of Naturalisation) | Complete in black ink and block letters. If under 18, parent or legal guardian must sign. |
| Form DHA-757 | Supporting naturalisation form — complete in full |
| Form DHA-529 (Determination of Citizenship) | Already completed in Step 1 — include with application |
| Original SA non-citizen identity document | The green ID-style document issued to permanent residents |
| Permanent residence permit | Original and certified copy |
| Proof of continuous residence in South Africa | Municipal account, bank statement, or similar — covering at least 12 months immediately before application |
| South African Police Clearance — Form SAP-91 | Full set of fingerprints required. Valid for 6 months from date of issue. Required for applicants aged 18 and older. |
| Police clearance from all countries of present nationality | Issued by the relevant foreign authority — must be current |
| Letter confirming acceptance of dual nationality | From your country of origin, confirming they permit you to hold dual citizenship. If your country does not allow dual citizenship, submit proof of renunciation instead. |
| Form BI-9 (ID re-issue application) | Completed in black ink, with two recent ID photographs |
| Marriage certificate and/or divorce decree | If applicable — original and certified copy |
| Proof of language proficiency | Demonstrating proficiency in at least one of SA’s 11 official languages |
| Proof of payment — R300 naturalisation fee | Keep your receipt |
| Proof of payment — R140 ID re-issue fee | Keep your receipt |
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1 — Complete your Determination of Citizenship Submit Form DHA-529 to the DHA Head Office (via your nearest DHA office or SA mission abroad). Wait for this to be confirmed before proceeding. See the Determination of Citizenship guide.
Step 2 — Gather all documents Collect every document listed above. Foreign-language documents must be officially translated into English by a certified translator — informal translations are not accepted. All copies must be certified.
Step 3 — Prepare your language proficiency proof If you do not already have documentary proof of proficiency in an official SA language, arrange this before submitting. English is one of the 11 official languages — if you are applying in English, ensure your proof is in order.
Step 4 — Obtain a current police clearance Your South African police clearance (SAP-91) is valid for only 6 months. Time your application so that this document is still valid when you submit. If you hold citizenship in more than one country, you need clearance from each.
Step 5 — Submit your application Submit in person at a DHA live capture office. All documents must be submitted together — incomplete applications are rejected. The office will stamp and sign off on each page submitted.
Step 6 — Wait for processing Your application is processed by the DHA Head Office and referred to the Minister of Home Affairs for a decision. Processing typically takes 1–2 years. Do not contact the DHA for status updates during this period unless it has been significantly longer.
Step 7 — Attend the naturalisation ceremony If approved, you will be invited to a naturalisation ceremony where you affirm your commitment to the South African Constitution. This is compulsory — you cannot receive your naturalisation certificate without attending.
Step 8 — Receive your naturalisation certificate Your certificate confirms your SA citizenship. Keep the original safe — it is required when applying for a Smart ID and passport, and for other citizenship-related processes.
Step 9 — Apply for your Smart ID and passport With your naturalisation certificate in hand, apply for a Smart ID and passport. The Smart ID fee is R140. The standard passport fee is R600.
After Naturalisation — Dual Citizenship
Whether you can hold dual citizenship after naturalisation depends on your country of origin. South African law permits dual citizenship — but your other country may not. Before submitting your naturalisation application, confirm your country’s position on this.
If your country does not permit dual citizenship, you will need to renounce your foreign citizenship. Submit proof of that renunciation as part of your naturalisation application.
If your country does permit dual citizenship, submit a letter from the relevant foreign authority confirming this.
Common Problems — and How to Avoid Them
Gaps in physical presence The DHA scrutinises your travel history carefully. If your passport shows extended periods abroad — particularly more than 90 days in any single year during your five-year PR period — your application may be refused. Keep records of all travel during your PR period.
Expired police clearance The SAP-91 is only valid for 6 months. Many applicants gather all documents, then delay submission, and the clearance expires. Coordinate all documents so they are current at submission.
Missing dual citizenship letter This is one of the most commonly overlooked documents. Your country of origin must provide written confirmation that they accept dual nationality — or you must provide proof of renunciation. Without this, your application is incomplete.
Determination of Citizenship not done first Applications submitted without a completed Determination of Citizenship are not processed by Head Office. This step must come first.
Divorced spousal PR holders If your permanent residence permit was granted on the basis of a spousal relationship, and the marriage ended within two years of the permit being issued, that permit may lapse. Take legal advice before applying for naturalisation in this situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for naturalisation if I have a criminal record? A serious criminal record is likely to result in refusal. Minor offences may not necessarily disqualify you, but the Minister has full discretion. Declare all offences honestly — concealing a criminal record is grounds for refusal and potential revocation of citizenship if discovered later.
My permanent residence was granted under a spousal permit and I am now divorced. Can I still apply? This depends on how long you held the permit before the divorce and whether the permit has lapsed. A permit issued on the basis of a spousal relationship may be cancelled if the relationship ends within two years of issue. Seek advice from a qualified immigration attorney before proceeding.
I have been absent for more than 90 days in one of my five years of PR. Am I disqualified? Not automatically, but this weakens your application significantly. The DHA assesses overall physical presence. If the majority of your five years was spent in South Africa and the absence was for a legitimate reason, you may still qualify — but the Minister’s discretion applies.
Do I need to live in South Africa after naturalisation? No. Once naturalised, you are a citizen and are free to live wherever you choose, the same as any South African by birth.
Can my children be included in my naturalisation application? Minor children under the age of 21 who hold PR can be included in a parent’s naturalisation application. Children who are South African citizens by birth do not need to be included.
What if my naturalisation application is refused? The Minister’s decision can be reviewed by a provincial or local division of the High Court of South Africa. If you believe a refusal was unlawful, consult a qualified immigration attorney.
I received my naturalisation certificate years ago. Can I still apply for a Smart ID? Yes. There is no time limit on applying for a Smart ID after receiving your naturalisation certificate. Bring your original naturalisation certificate to a DHA live capture office along with the standard Smart ID application documents. See the Smart ID for Naturalised Citizens guide.
Contact Details
| DHA Contact Centre | 0800 60 11 90 |
| DHA email | hacc@dha.gov.za |
| DHA Application Portal | services.dha.gov.za |
Related Guides
- Smart ID for Naturalised Citizens and Permanent Residents
- Duplicate Naturalisation Certificate
- Determination of Citizenship Status
- Dual Citizenship in South Africa
- Citizenship Reinstatement — Section 6(1)(a)
- How to Apply for a Smart ID
- How to Apply for a South African Passport