Can South Africans hold dual British and South African citizenship?

It is complicated. South African law requires you to apply for permission to retain your South African citizenship before acquiring a foreign nationality. If you become British without this permission, you may lose your South African citizenship. Apply to the South African Department of Home Affairs before your citizenship ceremony.

Can South Africans use the Ancestry visa to get citizenship?

Yes. If you have a British-born grandparent, you may qualify for an Ancestry visa, which leads to ILR after 5 years and then citizenship. This is a popular route for South Africans with British heritage. The Ancestry visa allows you to work in the UK without sponsorship.

Do South African nationals need an English test for UK citizenship?

South Africa is NOT on the UKVI list of majority English-speaking countries, so South African nationals are not exempt from the English language requirement. You will need to pass an approved SELT or provide a degree taught in English. This applies at all stages including visa applications and citizenship. Check current requirements on GOV.UK.

What happens to my South African pension if I become British?

Your South African retirement annuity or pension fund is not affected by your citizenship change. However, you may need to consider tax implications in both countries. South Africa and the UK have a double taxation agreement. Seek financial advice specific to your situation.

British Citizenship for South African Nationals: Complete Guide

South African nationals can become British citizens through naturalisation, but must take care to apply for retention of South African citizenship before acquiring British nationality. The Ancestry visa is a popular route for those with British-born grandparents. This guide covers the full process and South Africa-specific considerations.

Dual Nationality: The Critical Step

Unlike many other countries, South Africa requires its citizens to obtain prior permission from the Department of Home Affairs before acquiring a foreign nationality. This is set out in the South African Citizenship Act.

If you become a British citizen without first obtaining permission to retain your South African citizenship, you automatically lose your South African citizenship. This is irreversible in most cases.

To retain your South African citizenship:

Apply to the South African Department of Home Affairs for permission to retain your citizenship before you attend your UK citizenship ceremony
Wait for approval before proceeding with the ceremony
Contact the South African High Commission in London for guidance on the application process

The retention application can take several months, so start early. Do not attend your citizenship ceremony until you have received approval.

The Ancestry Visa Route

Many South Africans have British heritage due to historical ties between the two countries. If you have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, you may qualify for an Ancestry visa.

The Ancestry visa allows you to live and work in the UK for 5 years. After 5 years, you can apply for ILR, and after 12 months with ILR, you can apply for citizenship. The total time from Ancestry visa to citizenship is typically 6 years.

Other Routes

If you do not qualify for an Ancestry visa, other routes include:

Skilled Worker visa: If you have a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence
Spouse or partner visa: If your partner is a British citizen or settled in the UK
Other work visas: Depending on your profession and qualifications

All these routes lead to ILR after the qualifying period and then to citizenship.

Documents You Will Need

South African nationals should prepare:

South African passport: Current and previous
South African ID book or smart ID card
Unabridged birth certificate: Available from the Department of Home Affairs. The standard abridged certificate may not be sufficient
BRP
Life in the UK test certificate
English language evidence
Proof of residence
Two referees: See our referees guide

Tax Considerations

South Africa taxes its residents on worldwide income, and the transition to British citizenship can have tax implications, particularly if you have:

Retirement annuities or pension funds in South Africa
Property in South Africa
Investments or savings in South African accounts
Income from South African sources

The double taxation agreement between the UK and South Africa prevents double taxation, but you should seek professional advice. See our guide on citizenship tax implications.

Financial Emigration

If you have financially emigrated from South Africa (formally ceasing to be a tax resident), your tax position is different from someone who has not. The rules around financial emigration and exchange control have evolved significantly. Consult a cross-border financial adviser who understands both South African and UK tax law.

After Becoming British

Once you are a British citizen (and have retained your South African citizenship):

Apply for a British passport
Use your South African passport for travel to South Africa
Vote in UK elections
Enjoy visa-free travel to many more countries on your British passport

The South African community in the UK is large and active. For support and networking, see our guide on community groups.

Further Resources

For naturalisation applications, visit GOV.UK.