South Africa

Listen to our BRITISH NATIONALITY WEBINAR on South Africa where our two British nationality experts - Philip Gamble and Mishal Patel - discuss a family birth in South Africa and its implications for claims to British nationality in the modern day.

Both South Africa and the United Kingdom allow Dual Nationality. This means that a person can hold nationality (and the passport) of both countries.

You could be eligible for BRITISH NATIONALITY in the following circumstances:

  • You were BORN IN THE UK* (or Northern Ireland) before 1983. You will have been classified as British Otherwise than by Descent, can hold a British Passport, and can pass British Nationality to your children, irrespective of where these children are born. Read more about British Nationality by Birth.
  • You have a PARENT* (a father or mother) who Naturalsed in the UK before your birth or who was born in the UK (or Northern Ireland) before 1983. Your parent will have been classified as British Otherwise than by Descent, hold a British Passport, and they can pass British Nationality to their children, irrespective of where these children are born. Read more about British Nationality by Descent.

* It gets more complicated if:

 

How do I find out?

We suggest following our 4 STEP PROCESS, designed to simplify the complex laws of British nationality and to avoid unnecessary and expensive application fees, to find your answer:

Step 1: Determine whether you have a Standard Route (birth in the UK before 1983, or a parent born in the UK before 1983)
Step 2: If not, complete our free Nationality Assessment
Step 3: Order a free Status Trace
Step 4: Conduct a Citizenship Report

 

Status of the SOUTH AFRICAN PROVINCES

 

The Cape

Natal

The Transvaal

  • The Transvaal was within the British Crown Dominions between 1877 and 1881.
  • From 1881 until 31.08.1900, it was a British Protectorate. Click here for more information on the status of a British Protected Person (based on birth in Transvaal when it was a British Protectorate).
  • From 01.09.1900 until 30.05.1910, it was within the British Crown Dominions as a colony.

The Orange Free State

Other Territories

Other areas within South Africa that were, at some time or another, under the control of the British were:

  • Zululand
  • Vryheid and Utrecht
  • Molopo River

SOUTH AFRICA

  • Prior to 31.05.1910, South Africa comprised of four separate territories (above).
  • From 31.05.1910 until 31.12.1948, South Africa was within the British Crown Dominions.
  • Between 01.01.1949 and 30.05.1962, it was an independent Commonwealth country. Click here for more information about the consequences of being born in a Commonwealth country.
  • From 31.05.1962 until 25.07.1994, it was a foreign country.
  • From 26.07.1994 until the present day, it was a independent Commonwealth country. Click here for more information about the consequences of being born in a Commonwealth country.
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Ask Philip Gamble whether you (or your children) have a claim to British nationality.

ASK PHILIP GAMBLE NOW!
Learn more about these routes to British Nationality:

WhatPassport.com is a specialist UK Nationality and British Citizenship site offering an online search and assessment. Claims to hold a British Passport can be complex and the site offers a quick, simple search to give you the answers. While many people qualify for the UK Ancestry Visa based on holding a Commonwealth passport with a UK born grandmother or grandfather, we have found that if you have a grandparent born in the UK, or if your mother is British or your father is British, then there are several scenarios where you can claim British Nationality and the right to hold a British Passport. This stems from Britain’s collection of British Colonies, British Protectorates and British Protected States in the middle of last century and the Nationality rules concerning what are now the countries of the Commonwealth.

WhatPassport.com is a subsidiary of Sable International.

Sable International offers a range of services relating to UK and Australian immigration. For over 20 years, we have been helping people with their UK and Australian visa applications. We assist with applications for Ancestry visas, spouse visas, work visas, Tier 1 visas, UK working holiday visas, UK dependant visas, Tier 4 visas, UK Visitor visas, sponsorship visas or UK permanent residency or indefinite leave to remain. We also specialise in UK visa extensions. If you’ve overstayed your visa, our Overstayer Status Trace service can assist to regularise your visa status.