The South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act 88 of 1995), provides for South African citizens to voluntarily renounce their South African citizenship if they have already acquired the citizenship of another country. South African citizenship cannot be renounced if doing so would render a person stateless.

Important Information for Applicants

A person who applies to renounce South African citizenship remains a South African citizen until the renunciation process has been finalised and a Certificate of Renunciation has been issued by the Department of Home Affairs. Submission of an application does not immediately terminate South African citizenship.

Until a Certificate of Renunciation is issued, applicants remain subject to all rights and obligations applicable to South African citizens, including South Africa’s travel document requirements.

Travel Requirements While Renunciation is Pending

In terms of South African law, South African citizens, including dual citizens, are expected to enter and depart South Africa using a valid South African passport. This requirement continues to apply to persons whose applications for renunciation are still being processed.

The Border Management Authority (BMA) clarified on 31 July 2025 that:

• No new laws relating to the entry or departure of South African citizens were introduced in 2025.
• The existing legal position remains unchanged and South African citizens are expected to travel on a valid South African passport when entering or leaving South Africa, even where they hold another nationality.
• Reports that travellers would automatically be fined, arrested or receive a criminal record for not travelling on a South African passport were described as false and misleading.
• South African citizens who are unable to produce a valid South African passport will not automatically be refused entry into South Africa, particularly where they can establish their South African identity.

South African citizens whose passports have expired while abroad should contact the South African High Commission (consular.canberra@dirco.gov.za) including the possible issuance of an Emergency Travel Certificate where applicable.

After Renunciation Has Been Approved

Once a Certificate of Renunciation has been issued, the individual is no longer regarded as a South African citizen. The requirement for South African citizens to enter and depart South Africa on a South African passport no longer applies. Former South African citizens may thereafter travel on their foreign passport, subject to South Africa’s immigration, visa and entry requirements applicable to the nationality held. They should retain their Certificate of Renunciation as evidence of their change of status and may be requested to produce it if questions arise regarding their former South African citizenship.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have acquired Australian citizenship. Am I automatically no longer a South African citizen?

Not necessarily. A person who acquires another citizenship does not cease to be a South African citizen merely because they hold a foreign passport. Unless South African citizenship has been formally renounced and a Certificate of Renunciation has been issued, the person may still be regarded as a South African citizen for South African legal purposes.

I have submitted my renunciation application. May I travel on my Australian passport only?

No. Until you have received your Certificate of Renunciation, you remain a South African citizen and should continue to comply with the legal requirement to enter and depart South Africa using a valid South African passport.

I have already received my Certificate of Renunciation. Must I still use a South African passport?

No. Once renunciation has been completed and a Certificate of Renunciation has been issued, you are no longer a South African citizen and may travel on your foreign passport, subject to applicable visa and immigration requirements.

Disclaimer: This information is provided as general guidance only and does not replace the provisions of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995, the South African Passports and Travel Documents Act, or any directives issued by the Department of Home Affairs or the Border Management Authority. Applicants are encouraged to contact the South African High Commission in Australia for case-specific guidance. Please email your query to  Consular.canberra@dirco.gov.za

REQUIREMENTS FOR RENUNCIATION APPLICATIONS:

Please ensure all forms are completed in black ink

1. Application for Renunciation of South African Citizenship: Form – DHA-246 in duplicate (Original and the photocopy per person). To obtain the DHA- 46 form, please send a self-addressed prepaid express post envelope to: The Consular Section: Renunciations, South African High Commission, State Circle, Yarralumla, ACT 2600. Please include a cover note requesting how many forms is/are required. Once the prepaid envelope is received, the form (s) will be posted. There is no fee to be paid for this application.
2. Form BI-529 – Determination of Citizenship Status
   These are the details of your present status so that we may ascertain your claim for South African Citizenship. Please provide the following with the application:
   –  Certified copy of the citizenship certificate of the other nationality that you now hold.
   –  Your parents’ full date and place of birth are required.
   –  Certified copies of your South African Birth Certificate, current or expired South African Passport identification page, and Identity Document

The Department of Home Affairs has developed the Citizenship Reinstatement Portal to help South Africans, particularly those living abroad, to verify and confirm their status.  Please submit a copy/ screenshot of the confirmation of your South African citizenship and send it with your application for renunciation.

NB: South Africans abroad can begin the process by visiting My Home Affairs Online. After creating a profile and confirming their email, users can verify their citizenship status using their ID number, complete biometric verification, and, where necessary, proceed with a reinstatement application. If citizenship remains valid, users will be notified immediately. If it was previously revoked under the now invalidated Section 6(1)(a), the portal will guide applicants through a simple process to confirm their details and submit their reinstatement. 

Please note that processing of applications can take between 6 – 12 months.
Applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria for processing