Editing Naturalization (section)

===South Africa===
{{main|South African nationality law}}
Chapter 2 of the South African Citizenship Act, enacted on October 6, 1995, defines who is considered a naturalized citizen at the time of the act and also outlines the naturalization process for future immigrants.<ref name="South Africa">{{cite act |type=Act |index=88 |date=1995 |title=South African Citizenship Act, 1995 |url=https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/act88of1995.pdf |language=English | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107182036/https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/act88of1995.pdf
 | archive-date=7 November 2019}}</ref>

Any person who immediately prior to the commencement of the act had been a South African citizen via naturalization, had been deemed to be a South African citizen by registration, or had been a citizen via naturalization of any of the former states now composing South Africa is now considered to be a naturalized citizen of South Africa.

Those wishing to apply for naturalization in the future must apply to the Minister of Home Affairs and must meet a slew of requirements. First, naturalization applicants must be over the age of 18 and must have been a permanent resident of South Africa for five years prior to application (prior to 2010, the permanent residence requirement was one year prior to application and for four out of the eight years prior to application).<ref name="South Africa Amendment 2010">{{cite act |type=Act |index=17 |date=2010 |title=South African Citizenship Amendment Act, 2010 |url=https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/a1720100.pdf |language=English | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001224421/https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/a1720100.pdf
 | archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref> Applicants must also demonstrate good character and knowledge of the basic responsibilities and privileges of a South African citizen. The ability to communicate in one of the official languages of South Africa is also required. Applicants must show the intention to reside in South Africa after naturalization, and they are required to make a declaration of allegiance. The [[Constitution of South Africa]] states that national legislation must provide for the acquisition, loss and restoration of citizenship.<ref name="South Africa Constitution">{{cite act |type=Act |index=108 |year=1996 |title=Constitution of the Republic of South Africa |orig-section=Chapter 1 <!-- title-link=Constitution of the Republic of South Africa --> |url=https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/chapter-1-founding-provisions |language=English | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001225321/https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/chapter-1-founding-provisions
 | archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=April 2024}}

Being a naturalized South African citizen is a privilege, not a right. Even after meeting all the requirements and going through the naturalization process, the minister holds the right to deny citizenship.<ref name="Minister">"South African Citizenship Through Naturalization." Immigration Assistant. N.p., 21 July 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2011.</ref> Foreign spouses of South African citizens can apply for naturalization after two years of marriage, but is subject to potential denial of the minister. The minister can also grant citizenship to minors, if their parent applies for them.

The minister also holds the power to revoke naturalization at any time for specific reasons listed in the Act. Reasons for revoking the naturalization certificate include marrying someone who is a citizen of another country and holding citizenship in another country, or applying for citizenship of another country without prior authorization for retention of citizenship. If a permanent resident is denied naturalization, he or she must wait at least one year before reapplying.