British Citizenship for South African Nationals: Complete Guide
South African nationals have a long history of migration to the UK, and many follow the Ancestry visa route. The South African rule on losing citizenship when you take another nationality changed in 2025. This guide covers what South African nationals need to know about becoming British.
- Section
- British Citizenship
- Reading time
- 10 min
- Last checked
- 3 September 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- South Africa's Constitutional Court declared the automatic loss-of-citizenship rule invalid on 6 May 2025.
- The Ancestry visa is a popular route for South Africans with British grandparents.
- Some South African official pages still describe the old retention process; check with the Department of Home Affairs.
- South Africa and the UK have a double taxation agreement.
South African nationals can become British citizens through naturalisation. Until 2025, South African law removed citizenship from anyone who took a foreign nationality without first getting permission to retain it; South Africa's Constitutional Court struck that rule down on 6 May 2025. 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: What Changed in 2025
Until 2025, section 6(1)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act 1995 said that a South African who took a foreign nationality without first getting permission from the Department of Home Affairs to retain their citizenship automatically lost their South African citizenship.
On 6 May 2025, South Africa's Constitutional Court confirmed that this rule is unconstitutional and invalid from the date the Act came into force (6 October 1995). The South African government's statement says that South African law allows dual citizenship, and that people who lost their citizenship under the old rule are treated as never having lost it. The Department of Home Affairs said it would set up an online way for affected people to confirm their citizenship.
Some official South African pages, including the High Commission's retention page, still describe the old "retention of citizenship" application. Before your UK citizenship ceremony, check the current position with the Department of Home Affairs or the South African High Commission in London.
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 costs £726 and allows you to live and work in the UK for 5 years. After 5 years, you can apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain), and after 12 months with settlement, 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 settlement 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
- Proof of your immigration status (your eVisa, the online record of your status)
- 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 is designed to prevent the same income being taxed twice, but tax is a specialist area and professional tax advice is worth considering. 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 still hold 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.
You may also find our UK Visa Fees: Complete Guide and eVisa Guide helpful.
Questions and answers
Can South Africans hold dual British and South African citizenship?
Yes. The UK allows dual citizenship. On the South African side, the rule that South Africans automatically lost their citizenship if they took a foreign nationality without first getting permission to retain it (section 6(1)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act) was declared unconstitutional and invalid by South Africa's Constitutional Court on 6 May 2025, with effect from 1995. The South African government has said that people who lost citizenship under that rule are deemed never to have lost it. Check the current position with the South African Department of Home Affairs before your ceremony, because some official guidance pages still describe the old retention process.
Can South Africans use the Ancestry visa to get citizenship?
Yes. If you are a Commonwealth citizen (South Africa is a Commonwealth country) with a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, the UK Ancestry visa is a published route. It lasts 5 years, after which you can apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain), and then citizenship after 12 months with settlement. The Ancestry visa costs £726 and 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 Secure English Language Test (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.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.