Mauritian citizenship by descent

Hello,

So far, since your father renounced his Mauritian citizenship in 1958, you are not elligible as you were born in South Africa. Mauritius also became a republic in 1968 so he is no more governed by the Republic.

You may nevertheless apply for an occupational permit or a retirement visa as foreigner if you wish to settle on the island.

All the best,

David

Hi David,

Thanks for your reply.

Just saying that my father renounced his Mauritian citizenship in 1960 and not 1958.

This means that he was a Mauritian citizen at the time of my birth in South Africa.

Will I be able then to apply for citizenship by descent?

What is your view?

Michel

@michelsa5 do you still have your father's birth certificate?  Do you also have your father's name on your birth certificate?  Mauritius allows dual citizenship which means that your father may still be recognized as a Mauritian born citizen.

If you have your father's birth certificate, then you should be able to prove that you are descended from a Mauritian born citizen.

I would recommend bringing your father birth and / or marriage / death certificates and your birth certificate that shows clear descent to the PMO office.  This is where citizens by descent are registered.

Good luck.

I was born before my father renounced his Mauritius citizenship. Will I therefore be eligible for Mauritian citizenship by descent, or will I be ineligible because he renounced his Mauritian citizenship, even though it was after my birth?
Michel
   

    -@michelsa5

From this document:

https://dha.govmu.org/Pages/Services/Citizenship.aspx

Resumption of Mauritian citizenship for persons who are not ordinarily resident in Mauritius.

Under section 15(2) of the Mauritius Citizenship Act, a person who

(i)    was a citizen of Mauritius and also a national of a foreign country;

(ii)    attained the age of 21 on or after 12th March 1968 and before 1st October 1995;and

(iii)   ceased to be a citizen of Mauritius, for failing to renounce the nationality or citizenship of that foreign country, under the previous section 15* of the Mauritius Citizenship Act,

may, if he is not ordinarily resident in Mauritius, apply for the resumption of his Mauritian citizenship.

Application for resumption of Mauritian Citizenship under section 15 (2) of the Mauritius Citizenship Act shall be submitted to the Secretary for Home Affairs in the form set out below. The application should be subscribed in Mauritius, in the presence of a Judge or the Master and Registrar of the Supreme Court or a District Magistrate. Such applications are granted at the discretion of the Minister.

you may try this way since you comply with some requirements.

@michelsa5, as @external is recommending, there is a way to reclaim your citizenship.

On a slightly parallel path, it used to be that citizenship by descent was extended to citizens born of Canadian citizens.  However, there was a law that was passed that allowed children of Canadian citizens to become citizens but not the grand-children unless they were physically born or immigrated to Canada.

This law was overturned recently because this is obviously discriminatory because there was no such restrictions before.

Given that citizenship imparts not only privilege but also responsibilities, I would be surprised that you are refused if you are able to contribute to the country in a positive way.

However, there is a process that you need to follow.

Again good luck.

Hi there

My mom's Mauritian and my late dad is South African.

My mom has permanent residency in SA and is still a Mauritian citizen.

I'm flying to Mauritius next weekend to apply for my Mauritian ID. I tried to apply for it last year but my SA birth certificate was an issue.

I know your situation is a bit different but it's worth trying.

You need your dad's birth certificate (not older than 3 months, apparently you can get a copy in Mauritius)

His permanent residence paper.

His SA ID

Death certificate

Marriage certificate

Your birth certificate

Your ID

Your marriage certificate

Your passport

You need a copy and the original of all documents.

If you a bit unsure, call the embassy in Pretoria... You could put through an application through them. They are super helpful..

I was going to do it through them but using it as an excuse to go to Mauritius to visit my family.

Hope this kinda helps.

Good luck.

You need your dad's birth certificate (not older than 3 months, apparently you can get a copy in Mauritius)
His permanent residence paper.
His SA ID
Death certificate
Marriage certificate
Your birth certificate
Your ID
Your marriage certificate
Your passport

Please note that the copy of your dad's birth certificate is important.  You can make a re-print in Port Louis after you have bought a stamp - it's an interesting experience to get a copy - but please make sure to bring the old paper copy of your dad's birth certificate.  If you can bring your dad's passport and other pieces of ID such as National Identity card etc. please do so.

The important point here is to prove descent - i.e. your name should be verifiably associated with your dad's  and mom's names on your birth certificate.  Then your dad's identity must be confirmed in the official registry in Mauritius.

If you or your parents have a change of names or status,  you will need to prove with documentation that you are still related to the Mauritian citizen.  If you use a AKA name in your official documentation, you will need to prove that you are the same person who was born from the Mauritian citizen.

Lots of documentation may be needed but the registration process must make sure that there is clear descent.

Good luck.