This week we conclude this topic, with the issue of retaining your South African nationality.

South Africans must note that if they want to apply for British citizenship, they have to apply for the Retention of South African citizenship before they acquire British citizenship, in order to safeguard their SA citizenship.

This way their SA citizenship is protected and they are able to hold dual citizenship.

If you fail to formally apply for dual citizenship permission before becoming a British Citizen through naturalisation, you will automatically lose your South African citizenship. It is possible to re-instate one’s South African citizenship once it has been lost, but may cause quite an administrative hassle.

The process to retain your South African nationality has two stages. The first is to apply for a Certificate of Non-Acquisition from the UK Home Office. This is a letter confirming that you have not yet acquired British nationality.

Once this letter is received one will be able to submit the second stage of the application to the South African High Commission. This is when you will be applying for your Certificate of Retention, which will mean that, when you become a UK national, you will still retain your South African nationality, and will thus be a dual citizen of both South Africa and the UK. This application can be done in person or post.

For further information or for assistance with your application, please contact one of consultants who will be able to provide specific information in your unique case.

JP Breytenbach

Director of BIC, Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Limited.

www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com

Read more:

Things to keep in mind between receiving ILR and applying for British Citizenship — Knowledge of language and life requirement Things to keep in mind between receiving ILR and applying for British citizenship — good character

Legally Speaking | Rights of residence in the event of the breakdown of a marriage