I would like to apply for South Africa citizenship by naturalization. Travel records of the past 5 yrs are required. Unfortunately, i lost my port in April 2018 which means i don't have any records prior to that date. How can i successful convince Dept of Home Affairs that i never left South Africa for more than 90 days in the past 5 yrs? Can i use an affidavit, employer's letter or bank statement at least to prove that i was around.
SA Citizenship application
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I am one of those who got approval of naturalisation in December 2019. I was hoping to get called for the certificate sometime in 202, but then COVID-19 happened, and since then, everything about the process has become unclear. In my induction, I had people waiting since 2012, some 2016. Im still hopeful though. I wonder every day why anyone wants to preside over a process with such unclear timelines. I was very optimistic when the new minister was appointed, but i suspect there is something bigger behind the scenes that they don't want to tell us because this does not make sense. The investigations they used to hide behind should have been concluded a long time ago
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It is very interesting you mentioned that. I am now at 8 years since my PRP was granted , 22 years with my SA Spouse , 16 years in RSA and close to 2 years since the submisison of my Naturalisation - nothing , following up doesn't giver any results , even recent email to Ministerial Queries came back with no - just that my application is still with the Naturalisation dept
Agreed. I don’t think there’s any guidance to hold applications for 10 years—I’ve waited way longer than that, and there are many others lingering on this platform, some in even worse situations. I suspect the directive from the former minister was simply to withhold naturalization certificates, full stop—and the new minister seems to be following the same approach.
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If they don't accept naturalization applications, before they can blink, they would be in the court room & they can't win that case. When they introduced 10 years for PR holders way back, I knew they were in trouble. Currently they're hiding behind Lubisi investigation of malfeasance in visas/permits/citizenships but they will have to abandon it at some point. Listening to what they say in the portfolio committee meetings on YouTube, maybe it makes sense that they want to scrap citizenships before most certificates are given out.
I am wondering though, for people who completed inductions 2, 3, 4, 5 years ago, what have you been doing to get your certificates? I know you're hurting and I really don't want to sound as if I am saying maybe you don't need the certificate. But honestly, let's try to do more. There are plenty of emails for DHA officials, MPs emails, lots of prayers. I know DHA head office in Pretoria is inaccessible but take the chance and go there.
I only have 1 and 1/2 months after induction but my emails are already all over the place, yet given this short time I don't have a strong leg to stand on.
Sorry, if I offended anyone, let's just do more.
Has nobody tried suing for their certificate to be signed if all was already accepted and approved?
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Certificates are already signed before you're called for induction. The minister doesn't physically sign them. A digital signature on the computer is inserted. The whole g thing is an excuse. But most of the time this excuse works for them.
You will have to be brave to sue. Because they can decide 'audit' you and things might go South. It needs someone who doesnt really want the citizenship or to be in this country anymore, or is very courageous.
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please rather post it on the ID card thread- you will get better responses
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Taking DHA to court should be out of one's options. Like Jollem said, they can mess up your application by just taking out some documents from the file and claim that the document was missing. Oh yeah, it happened to someone I know. Head office returned his file to office of application claiming that the main application form was missing. Really unbelievable!
Even when you email or WhatsApp the officials, be respectful and point out your predicament. And say you request for their assistance.
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Have you tried:
DHA Branch Appointment Booking System
Just make an appointment and go there in person and see what happens.
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BABS ( Branch appointment booking system) worked for me - submitted my ID card application last Monday ( I am a PRP Holder since 2017)
Hey Guys I wanted to ask. The Western Cape Gov website says
"You can apply for South African citizenship through naturalisation if you have held a permanent residence permit for at least 5 years if you have married a South African, or you are a minor under 21 years with a permanent residence. "
I got my PR in December 2024 and am 19 does this mean I can apply now and don't need to wait 5 years? I have no problem waiting if I have to but if i'm able to apply now I might as well.
"You can apply for South African citizenship through naturalisation if you have held a permanent residence permit for at least 5 years if you have married a South African, or you are a minor under 21 years with a permanent residence. "
I got my PR in December 2024 and am 19 does this mean I can apply now and don't need to wait 5 years? I have no problem waiting if I have to but if i'm able to apply now I might as well.
nevermind Home Affairs confirmed its 5 years. Western Cape must update its website
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