Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber has launched the Citizenship Reinstatement Portal, a major milestone in the department’s digital transformation initiative aimed at providing efficient, secure, and dignified services to all South Africans.
The portal follows a Constitutional Court ruling on 6 May 2025 in Democratic Alliance v Minister of Home Affairs, which deemed Section 6(1)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995 unconstitutional. Previously, this law automatically revoked South African citizenship for those acquiring another nationality without prior approval.
The ruling, effective immediately, reinstates citizenship to all affected individuals since 6 October 1995, confirming that removing citizenship without adequate justification was unconstitutional. The judgment also upholds an earlier decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Digital Access for Reinstatement
To implement the Court’s order efficiently, the Department of Home Affairs developed the Citizenship Reinstatement Portal, enabling affected South Africans, including those abroad, to:
- Verify and confirm citizenship status
- Complete any outstanding administrative requirements
- Track their application progress digitally
The platform replaces manual paperwork and long queues by utilising facial recognition, machine learning, and advanced biometric verification, seamlessly updating the National Population Register.
Minister Schreiber Emphasizes Digital Innovation
Minister Schreiber highlighted the portal as part of a larger “digital service delivery revolution”, positioning South Africa among the few countries offering advanced biometric and AI-driven citizenship services. Portal features include:
- Secure digital identity authentication
- Document and biometric verification
- Integration with the National Population Register
- User-friendly progress tracking interface
The portal’s infrastructure will also support future projects, including the rollout of a Digital ID system and enhanced immigration and citizenship enforcement.
Steps for South Africans to Reconfirm or Restore Citizenship
Eligible citizens, including those living abroad, can access the portal at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za. The process involves:
- Creating a user profile
- Verifying an email address
- Confirming citizenship using an ID number
Those whose citizenship remains valid will receive instant confirmation, while individuals affected by the invalidated Section 6(1)(a) will be guided through a simple reinstatement process.
Steps for South Africans to Reconfirm or Restore Citizenship
Eligible citizens, including those living abroad, can access the portal at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za. The process involves:
- Creating a user profile
- Verifying an email address
- Confirming citizenship using an ID number
Those whose citizenship remains valid will receive instant confirmation, while individuals affected by the invalidated Section 6(1)(a) will be guided through a simple reinstatement process.
