Can I retain my South African and Polish citizenship when I gain British citizenship?

Question

I am South African and Polish national with current passports in both countries. Neither one has any reservations about this fact and is pretty common with many countries.

I do not live in either of those countries. I currently live in England and I am thinking about taking "the test" to become a British Citizen.

I am not sure but I tried to skim on-line documents, and it seems like I will be able to keep my other 2 passports and gain this third, British one.

Is this possible? Or is is something that might cause me complications or are there some benefits in this?

Answer 1

There is no limit, unless the countries you have a citizenship in limit them. Britain for example doesn't care whether you have a citizenship in an other country or not (since the British Nationality Act of 1948).

However South Africa does not allow multiple citizenships, unless you ask them for permission before getting a new citizenship from them. I don't know in which order you got the Polish and South African citizenship, but you should be careful when applying, as you might lose your South African citizenship in the process.

If you don't get a permission, this might still mean you can get a British citizenship without losing the South African one, but only if you can keep this as a secret from the South African government, but if you value that citizenship, you should not take the chances.

Also Poland doesn't seem to have any kind of legislation about multiple citizenships.

Answer 2

As SztupY mentioned, you need to request permission retain your South African citizenship on gaining any other citizenship. If you are not granted such permission, you will lose South African citizenship.

I am a little worried you may have lost your South African citizenship on gaining Polish citizenship.

Requesting Retention

If you are in the UK / London, the process for retaining citizenship is detailed on the South Africa House Citizenship Retention Page.

I suggest you apply in person, since finding someone to certify a copy of your passport according to South African standards is likely to be expensive / difficult.

You should leave a good few weeks for this process before you gain UK citizenship, since the first step could take more than 2 weeks.

Process

1. Apply for a letter confirming you have not gained British Citizenship from the UK government. This currently (March 2014) costs £94, and will take 10 working days.
2. Download and fill in the BI-1664 and BI-529 forms from the South Africa House page (more details about which items to cross out and ignore are on the same page). If you have questions, staff at South Africa House are helpful. Print a couple of spare copies in case you have forgotten something.
3. Make a couple of copies of the photo page of your passport. Don't forget this, or you will need to find a photocopier somewhere in central London. South Africa House staff won't do it for you.
4. Draw £25 in cash for the South Africa House fee (current price as at March 2014)
5. Visit the Consular Section of South Africa House at 15 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DD in person. No appointment is necessary, but you should arrive from 08:45 to 12:45 Monday to Friday (note that this excludes South African public holidays, which UK consular staff take as holidays).

Expect the process to take a few hours. If all is well, you should leave with the appropriate permission letter on the same day.