Too late too obtain permission to retain South African citizenship?

Good Morning,
I have a question regarding permission to retain my South African citizenship. Apologies in advance if I’m not posting in the correct place.

I have submitted my application for UK naturalisation two days ago via the online form. I have not yet attended biometric appointment etc and my application has not yet been concluded. Therefore I have not yet been naturalised as a British citizen.
I stupidly only now realised about the procedure I should have completed to retain my South African citizenship and I’m thinking it’s too late. Am I correct in thinking this?
I imagine it would be conflicting to apply for a letter of non acquisition after submitting my AN solicitation?
I think these are rhetorical questions but just wanted to hear what other’s thoughts are.
I do realise I can still reside in SA if I wish to and reinstate citizenship if I lived there etc. so it’s not the end of the world. I guess it’s just emotional as SA is my mother land and I just didn’t want to lose my SA citizenship.
Thanks in advance on anyone’s thoughts.

In order to apply to retain your SA citizenship, you have to apply for the non acquisition letter from UKVI first,there is a cost for this.

Once you have that letter, you have to apply to the SA consular for retention. I believe there is a cost for this too. It can take some time before these two processes are complete even before covid.

You can withdraw your application and will get a refund in a few weeks provided biometrics have not been done.

Also note that if you lose your SA citizenship automatically, you still have the right to permanent residence in SA if you were born there. The consular service can issue a detailed letter in requires free of charge (I have this letter) and I travel in and out of SA on my British passport and present the letter when asked in SA.

Not being an SA citizen in SA means if anything goes horribly wrong while there, you can get British consular help/assistance, which doesn't apply to you if you are a dual British/SA citizen.

Hi CR001

Thank you as always for your answers and guidance.

I think the last fact you highlighted there makes a lot of sense. Admittedly I have only been back to SA once in the last 13 years but if I was ever back there with my wife (who is British) and there was any trouble then we’d both be able to seek consular assistance which makes a lot of sense to me. Thank you for highlighting that as it is helping me make this decision.

I’ve come a very long way to be at this point where I can apply for British Naturalisation and I’d rather not withdraw now.

I guess I’m more annoyed with myself for not researching the retention thing prior to my AN application and just assuming that duel citizenship is automatic. I’ve dealt with immigration long enough to know that there are rules and procedures so just annoyed at myself for being the idiot.

Also, other than holding a SA passport there would not be anything I could do with it that I couldn’t do with a British passport. And if I had to give up my SA citizenship voluntary to gain British citizenship I would have done so anyway.

Apologies for the long reply. It’s been bothering me relentlessly since Sunday so writing it out to someone else is helping me make sense of what to do.

Of course I have not had a decision on my AN application yet but if it all works out then I’ll endeavour to get the letter for if I need to travel to SA. May I please bother you with just a few questions about the letter?

Even if I’m not necessarily planning on going to SA, could I obtain the letter just so I have it if I need it?

Does the letter ever expire?

If I enter SA on British passport with the letter could I stay there indefinitely or does the 90 day leave automatically kick in because I’ll be “British”? Meaning I’ll need to apply to remain there?

Do I have to go to London in person to get the letter?

Thank you again CR001. Your help through the years have been incredible. I make the best beskuit in England and would love to send you a batch to show my appreciation. If you like beskuit just send me a PM and I’ll send you some!

Even if I’m not necessarily planning on going to SA, could I obtain the letter just so I have it if I need it?

Yes.

Does the letter ever expire?

No.

If I enter SA on British passport with the letter could I stay there indefinitely or does the 90 day leave automatically kick in because I’ll be “British”? Meaning I’ll need to apply to remain there?

You will get stamped in as a visitor for 90 days yes. If you wish to return to live there, you apply at Home Affairs for a permanent residence sticker.

Do I have to go to London in person to get the letter?

Yes, as you will need to take your British passport, naturalisation certificate, SA ID Book and SA passport. Your SA ID Book and SA Passport will be cancelled.

I will get the letter out in a while and copy the text so you can see what it says.