South Africa Launches Citizenship Reinstatement Portal After Court Ruling
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber has officially launched the Home Affairs Citizenship Reinstatement Portal, a key step in the department’s digital transformation drive to provide efficient, dignified, and accessible services to all South Africans.
The portal follows a Constitutional Court ruling on 6 May 2025 in the case of Democratic Alliance v Minister of Home Affairs, which declared Section 6(1)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995, unconstitutional. This section previously caused citizens to automatically lose South African nationality if they acquired another citizenship without ministerial approval.
The Court’s decision, effective immediately, reinstates citizenship to all individuals affected since 6 October 1995, affirming that stripping citizens of their nationality without sufficient cause was unconstitutional. The judgment also confirmed an earlier Supreme Court of Appeal ruling.
Digital Solution for Reinstatement
To implement the Court’s ruling efficiently, the Department of Home Affairs developed the Citizenship Reinstatement Portal, enabling affected South Africans, including those living abroad, to:
- Verify and confirm citizenship status
- Complete remaining administrative processes
- Track progress digitally
The portal eliminates the need for queues and paperwork by leveraging facial recognition, machine learning, and advanced biometric verification to securely update the National Population Register.
Minister Schreiber Highlights Digital Innovation
Dr. Schreiber described the portal as part of a broader “digital service delivery revolution”, noting that few countries offer citizenship services with such advanced technology. Key portal features include:
- Secure digital authentication
- Advanced document and biometric verification
- Integration with the National Population Register
- User-friendly interface for application tracking
The technology is also expected to support future initiatives, including a Digital ID system and improved immigration and citizenship law enforcement.
How South Africans Can Reconfirm or Reclaim Citizenship
South Africans abroad can access the portal at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za. The process involves:
- Creating a profile
- Verifying an email address
- Confirming citizenship using an ID number
Applicants whose citizenship remains valid will be notified immediately. Those affected by the invalidated Section 6(1)(a) will be guided through a simple confirmation and reinstatement process.
A Step Toward Smart Government
The Citizenship Reinstatement Portal positions South Africa as a global leader in digital public service, offering convenience, dignity, and accessibility for citizens worldwide. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to modernising service delivery while complying with constitutional mandates.
