How can a foreigner get a South African passport?

This article will guide you on How a foreigner can get a South African passport. Let’s get started: There are two main ways for a foreigner to get a South African passport: by descent or by naturalization.

By descent means that you have a parent or grandparent who was a South African citizen at the time of your birth. If you qualify, you can apply for a registration certificate, which is essentially a passport for South Africans by descent. Once you have the registration certificate, you can apply for a regular South African passport.

By naturalization means that you have lived in South Africa for a certain period of time (usually five years) and meet the other requirements, such as being financially self-sufficient and speaking English or Afrikaans. You will need to apply for permanent residency first, and then after three years you can apply for citizenship. Once you are a citizen, you can apply for a passport.

Obtaining South African citizenship by naturalization is a process by which a person who is not a citizen of South Africa can apply to become one. To be eligible for naturalization, a person must have been a permanent resident of South Africa for a specified period, typically five years or longer. They must also meet certain requirements, such as being of good character, being able to speak one of the official languages, and passing a citizenship test.

If these requirements are met, the applicant can submit their naturalization application to the Department of Home Affairs for processing. The application process can take several months or even years to complete, depending on the complexity of the case.

Once approved, the applicant will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony and take an oath of allegiance to South Africa. After the ceremony, the applicant will receive a certificate of naturalization and can apply for a South African passport. Obtaining South African citizenship by naturalization provides numerous benefits, including the right to live and work in South Africa without restriction, access to social services and healthcare, and the ability to participate in elections and politics.

Steps in applying for a South African passport by descent:

  1. Gather the required documents, which include:
    • Your birth certificate
    • Your parent’s or grandparent’s South African birth certificate or identity document
    • Proof of your relationship to your parent or grandparent (e.g., marriage certificate)
    • Two passport-sized photographs
  2. Take your documents to a South African embassy or consulate in your home country.
  3. Pay the application fee.
  4. Wait for your application to be processed. This can take several months.
  5. If your application is approved, you will be issued with a registration certificate.
  6. Take your registration certificate to a South African Department of Home Affairs office to apply for a passport.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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