Big news for South Africans worldwide – following the Constitutional Court ruling on 6 May 2025, Section 6(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act, which automatically stripped citizens of their South African nationality when they acquired another citizenship without prior permission, has been declared unconstitutional.
This means:
- You will no longer lose your Citizenship if you do not get a retention before becoming a dual national
- If you lost your SA citizenship under the old rule, you are now legally deemed to have never lost it.
To help restore affected citizens’ records, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is building an online portal to confirm your reinstatement — making the process far more accessible for South Africans living abroad.
What Will the Portal Do?
Once live, the portal will allow you to:
- Submit a request to confirm your South African citizenship status
- Upload supporting documentation
- Track your application online
- Receive updates directly
According to the DHA, the portal was targeted for release in mid-2025, but the rollout appears delayed. For now, it’s important to prepare so you can act quickly once it becomes available.
Be Prepared – Documents You May Need
To make the most of the portal when it launches, gather your documents in advance:
- Your South African vault or unabridged birth certificate
- Your South African passport (if available)
- Proof of the date you acquired your foreign citizenship
- Unabridged marriage certificate if your name has changed through marriage
- Your parents’ unabridged birth and marriage certificates (to strengthen proof of lineage)
Where to Access the Portal
The DHA has indicated the reinstatement service will be available via:
- DHA official website – Civic Services → Citizenship Retention Portal
- eHomeAffairs – the existing online platform for other civic services
Stay Updated
Immigration Assist will be following developments closely and posting verified updates as soon as the portal goes live.
Follow us for reliable information and personalised help with:
- South African passport renewals (worldwide assistance)
- Registration of marriages, births, and deaths in South Africa
- Non-impediments to marry abroad
- Legalisation of South African documents
- Vault copies of birth, marriage, and death registrations
Website: www.immigrationassist.co.za
Facebook: Immigration Assist – SA Certificates & Documents
Tip: Even once the portal launches, having your documents ready will speed up the process and reduce the risk of delays. Immigration Assist can help you obtain vault copies, unabridged certificates, and other supporting paperwork — even if you are abroad.
