Three ways South Africans can get another citizenship

Dani van Vuuren, Business Development Consultant at Sovereign Trust

We’ve previously discussed three different ways South Africans can acquire a second residency or citizenship: Financially Independent, Passive Income and Tax Residency programmes; starting a business or a business incubator; and Residency by Investment (RBI) programmes. In this article, we focus on three other options to get a different citizenship.

Growing numbers of South Africans are looking at ways to get a second residency or citizenship – either as a ‘Plan B’, or to take advantage of a range of lifestyle, business, investment and tax benefits. But if you don’t have the money for a Golden Visa, and don’t want to start a business, what are your options?

The good news is that you don’t need to be wealthy to live and work abroad, says Dani van Vuuren, a business consultant at Sovereign Trust. There are numerous options available, and the continually changing residency and citizenship landscape means there’s something for everyone.

Ancestry
If you have parents, grandparents (and in some instances even great-grandparents) born in a different country, you may already be eligible for a second citizenship by descent. However, you will have to clearly prove your ancestral links and documentation, and you will generally have to live in the country you want citizenship from for the full naturalisation period.

“While the UK is a popular destination for South Africans using an ancestral visa, many countries around the world offer this route to citizenship. It’s worth discussing your options with an adviser,” says Van Vuuren.

Naturalisation
If you live and work in a country for a certain period, you can often qualify to apply for permanent residency, and ultimately citizenship of that country. The rules of naturalisation vary from country to country. Typically, they include a promise to obey and uphold that country's laws and may include additional requirements such as demonstrating an adequate knowledge of a country’s language and culture.

Direct Citizenship Programmes
These programmes offer citizenship within three to six months in exchange for an investment or government donation, generally with no physical presence requirements. They also provide residency rights within a range of other countries with which the issuing country holds freedom of movement treaties. Here, popular destinations for South Africans include Malta and several Caribbean countries.

“There are so many points to consider before making a decision on where to seek an alternative residency or citizenship,” says Van Vuuren. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every individual’s choices will differ based on their needs and it’s critical to get expert advice before making a move to ensure you remain tax-compliant, and to navigate the nuances of each programme and country. It’s best to plan well advance before you uproot your life in South Africa and seek new beginnings.”

UPDATE:
According to VisaGuide.World: The Portuguese government has suggested the discontinuation of the Portuguese Golden Visa scheme. The proposal is presently under consultation and will be presented to Parliament for approval eventually. Until the legislation is passed (which would take at least six weeks from the start of the process without any changes or extensions), the current Golden Visa regulations remain valid.