From 1,514 to 832, South African origin citizenship approvals fall 45% since 2024 peak

Key Takeaways

  • H1 2025 recorded 832 new Canadian citizens of South African origin, down 23.7% from H2 2024 (1,091).
  • The first half of 2024 marked the highest level of approvals (1,514) in the past four years.
  • H1 2025 is 24% below H1 2022’s 1,089, the second lowest number in the period.
  • The data shows average half-on-half change of ±19%, reflecting strong fluctuations in migration and processing patterns.

From 2022 to 2025, the number of South African-born individuals obtaining Canadian citizenship has followed a wave-like pattern. The trend began modestly in H1 2022 (1,089), then surged by 30.2% later that year. The following periods alternated between decline and recovery, with H1 2024 standing out as the strongest on record at 1,514 new citizens.

However, the momentum reversed in late 2024, plunging by nearly 28%, and dropped again by 23.7% in early 2025. This sharp downturn may reflect fewer new applications, processing slowdowns, or a natural tapering after two years of elevated approvals driven by post-pandemic migration trends.

Source:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Period:

H1 2022 - H1 2025
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