Immigrating to the UK

Always better to deal with the landlords than agents. Pick your area/s and make some enquiries ... you'll find they very often do away with extra money upfront and don't mind pets, etc that agencies tend to be idiots about. Maybe not the cities but smaller towns, for sure.
 
2022 said:
Thanks for all the advice guys, I'm feeling a little more comfortable with he plan to move now.

Is it possible to visit EU on holiday (like a weekend) and then return to UK easily or is it a pain/risky because you'd have to use your South African passport?
Click to expand...

Two parts to this question - although I'm talking from the EU side.

1.) If you have UK residence, you'll be allowed back to the UK no issues, 2.) however you still need a EU visa as you're travelling with a ZA passport, so the normal process of applying, paying and getting a schengen visa applies.

This doesn't apply for Ireland.
 
Perhaps a topic that needs a sperate thread;

Has anyone successfully gone through the process of deregistering as a SA Tax resident yourself?

My tax accountant could not assist, and I have contacted 3rd party companies specialising in this service, but at R20 000 - R35 000 for the deregistration I want to see if its possible to DIY?
 
Tman* said:
Perhaps a topic that needs a sperate thread;

Has anyone successfully gone through the process of deregistering as a SA Tax resident yourself?

My tax accountant could not assist, and I have contacted 3rd party companies specialising in this service, but at R20 000 - R35 000 for the deregistration I want to see if its possible to DIY?
Click to expand...
I just ticked the box on my tax return. Seemed to be accepted OK.
 
Tman* said:
Perhaps a topic that needs a sperate thread;

Has anyone successfully gone through the process of deregistering as a SA Tax resident yourself?

My tax accountant could not assist, and I have contacted 3rd party companies specialising in this service, but at R20 000 - R35 000 for the deregistration I want to see if its possible to DIY?
Click to expand...
I also looked at the formal process, decided for now not do it

Will have a look at it again once the process is more defined / less guesswork (and companies charging the earth to do it)

Main reason I want to do it would be to get my RA/Pension out of SA
 
So in another thread there was talk about getting around opening a foreign bank account for my spouse so they can use their tax number to transfer money across (the R1 Bar rule)

Anyone have suggestions of bank accounts that I can open in the UK now so I can get some money across before year end?

(Am I correct to understand the limit resets on calendar year end?)

EDIT: I'm considering just dumping a bunch of cash into Shyft
 
Last edited:
Leno said:
I also looked at the formal process, decided for now not do it

Will have a look at it again once the process is more defined / less guesswork (and companies charging the earth to do it)

Main reason I want to do it would be to get my RA/Pension out of SA
Click to expand...
There's a difference between tax residency and financial emigration. You can do the first without the second.
The second is what lets you get at your RAs
 
2022 said:
So in another thread there was talk about getting around opening a foreign bank account for my spouse so they can use their tax number to transfer money across (the R1 Bar rule)

Anyone have suggestions of bank accounts that I can open in the UK now so I can get some money across before year end?

(Am I correct to understand the limit resets on calendar year end?)

EDIT: I'm considering just dumping a bunch of cash into Shyft
Click to expand...
Fnb channel islands.
 
2022 said:
So in another thread there was talk about getting around opening a foreign bank account for my spouse so they can use their tax number to transfer money across (the R1 Bar rule)

Anyone have suggestions of bank accounts that I can open in the UK now so I can get some money across before year end?

(Am I correct to understand the limit resets on calendar year end?)

EDIT: I'm considering just dumping a bunch of cash into Shyft
Click to expand...
Revolut is another option. Has limitations(no debit orders or salaries iirc) but for moving money works fine.
Mercantile rates for transferring over were reasonable from that end.

Yes the limit is a calendar year.
 
2022 said:
So in another thread there was talk about getting around opening a foreign bank account for my spouse so they can use their tax number to transfer money across (the R1 Bar rule)

Anyone have suggestions of bank accounts that I can open in the UK now so I can get some money across before year end?

(Am I correct to understand the limit resets on calendar year end?)

EDIT: I'm considering just dumping a bunch of cash into Shyft
Click to expand...
I've used MONZO with no issues.
I transferred from Mercantile using a forex company that gave better rates than the banks.
MONZO will also let you open an account with your cell phone, as long as you have a UK address that they can send the card to. (or someone you know in the UK, who can receive your card and send you a pic of it so you can activate your banking app).
 
Johsoap said:
I've used MONZO with no issues.
I transferred from Mercantile using a forex company that gave better rates than the banks.
MONZO will also let you open an account with your cell phone, as long as you have a UK address that they can send the card to. (or someone you know in the UK, who can receive your card and send you a pic of it so you can activate your banking app).
Click to expand...
What was the currency conversion fees?

Last time I used Mercantile it was something like R500 flat rate, plus 1.5%?
 
I used a forex company ( Incompass), who deal with Mercantile/Capitec.

They charge a percentage commission on the buying rate.

From R1 to R1 000 000 -> 1.2%
0.9% from R1 000 001 to R 2 000 000
0.7% from R2 000 000 and above.

Then I think there is an admin fee from Mercantile of R250 per transaction.
 
Quick 4-month update after relocating to the UK:


Top 5:

1. Safety
I didn't live in a particularly dangerous suburb of JHB. I had every security feature money can buy: high walls, CCTV, armed response, beams, electric fence. I was very security conscious. It took me a good 3 months for my shoulders to drop. I used to wake up & jump out of bed full tactical mode when I heard something outside. My associates laugh at me when I share stories from back home. I am 100% convinced a large chunk of South Africans live with some of form of PDST (myself included). It’s wonderful to sleep in peace, not having to constantly worry about crime.

2. Stuff works
No load shedding (yet). You can send a letter, it's affordable and reliable. You can call up the local council and someone actually answers the phone when you do. It’s pretty epic to experience your tax money actually working.

3. Ease of travel
Car, train, bus, walking - take your pick. It's reliable, and it's affordable when you earn £. It’s a fantastic lifestyle change having the ability to walk and cycle. I reside in Surrey, so the weather is not that bad (yet). I cycle to work and I’m going to try to push for as long as I can - not to take the car or bus. The fact that I can choose between 4 travel methods to get to work is still mind blowing. Having Europe on my doorstep is not bad either. I travelled to Spain a few weeks ago and it was like hopping on a plane from JHB > CPT.

4. Future seems brighter
This might sound stupid, but it feels pretty good not to be trapped in a constant cycle of doom and gloom, corruption, load shedding and generally in a dead-end country. Sure, I've experienced some strikes here too, but at least I get a warning on the app that my train might be delayed next week Thursday between 8-5 due to strike action. Earning £ also helps. I feel much more empowered and upbeat with what the future holds, even though the UK economic outlook is pretty bleak (nothing compared to SA though). People that say the brits moan a lot, should meet South Africans.

5. Stimulation
I suppose this will wear off eventually. I can’t get enough learning about new cultures, people and places. It’s refreshing to chat to Irish, Scottish, Russian, French, German etc people every day and to learn what makes them tick. The UK is a breathtakingly beautiful place, rich with history, and I am having a ball exploring it.

Bottom 5:

1. Banking Sucks.
I was a big Ebucks slut. There are no reward programs here that even come close. Banking is stuck in the middle ages and the apps are garbage. 2 Examples:

1.1 The other day I walked into a bank trying to open a savings account and I was told I needed to make an appointment only to come back to see someone to assist me at a future date (the bank was empty). I compared this to the world class experience when I opened up a Capitec account many years ago.

1.2 I used to make inter account transfers via the FNB app, making add hock payments to my Wesbank & Home loan as I pleased. I was quite shocked to learn that I need to contact BMW financial services for a quote each time I want to make an add hock payment into my car loan. Fill out forms, sign, make payment. Every single time. It’s quite obvious that this is done to deter people from paying up loans quicker, which brings me to my next point.

2. Consumer Protection
This might be down to personal experience, but I feel South African consumers are better protected. Sure, buying anything from Amazon is a seamless process, but I’ve had some run ins with real scummy retailers, few examples:

2.1 Retailer X charges you £5 to return an item. Fair enough, but why can’t I just drop it off at the local depot like I do with my Amazon purchases? Furthermore, you have to physically print the return label at home (who still prints stuff?!). I remember most retailers such as Takealot, Superbalist etc came to fetch returns for free.

2.2 Sneaky and scummy subscription services. I have been tricked into a subscription service twice by buying stuff online. I only realised this the month after when the debit order went off, and I got my money back when complaining. But still, this never happened to me in SA.

3. Restaurants are expensive
Restaurants & pubs are very expensive and the British food tastes bland. In SA I could easily afford eating at a local restaurant twice a week. The run of the mill pub food is pretty kak, and having to go to an "upper end" restaurant that frequent is not financially viable. I find grocery prices on par with SA, if not cheaper earning £. Luckily the food quality in grocery stores is top notch so I find myself experimenting more at home to try to make spectacular food.

4. Labour is kak.
No more garden engineer and no more domestic helper.
After paying a small fortune for a house cleaning service and not being happy with the quality of cleaning, I clean my own house. It’s quite humbling having to scrub toilets and offer up your precious free time to clean your own house after having someone do it for you most of your life. I’m taking a disciplined approach in this area and duties are alternated with the SO on Sunday mornings.

5. Miss family & friends -
Pretty self-explanatory and will be a factor irrespective where you move too.

Everything in life is a trade-off. "The grass is not always greener comes to mind". You trade one thing for another.

In closing - decide what’s important for you to make your own informed decision.
 
Tman* said:
Quick 4-month update after relocating to the UK:


Top 5:

1. Safety
I didn't live in a particularly dangerous suburb of JHB. I had every security feature money can buy: high walls, CCTV, armed response, beams, electric fence. I was very security conscious. It took me a good 3 months for my shoulders to drop. I used to wake up & jump out of bed full tactical mode when I heard something outside. My associates laugh at me when I share stories from back home. I am 100% convinced a large chunk of South Africans live with some of form of PDST (myself included). It’s wonderful to sleep in peace, not having to constantly worry about crime.

2. Stuff works
No load shedding (yet). You can send a letter, it's affordable and reliable. You can call up the local council and someone actually answers the phone when you do. It’s pretty epic to experience your tax money actually working.

3. Ease of travel
Car, train, bus, walking - take your pick. It's reliable, and it's affordable when you earn £. It’s a fantastic lifestyle change having the ability to walk and cycle. I reside in Surrey, so the weather is not that bad (yet). I cycle to work and I’m going to try to push for as long as I can - not to take the car or bus. The fact that I can choose between 4 travel methods to get to work is still mind blowing. Having Europe on my doorstep is not bad either. I travelled to Spain a few weeks ago and it was like hopping on a plane from JHB > CPT.

4. Future seems brighter
This might sound stupid, but it feels pretty good not to be trapped in a constant cycle of doom and gloom, corruption, load shedding and generally in a dead-end country. Sure, I've experienced some strikes here too, but at least I get a warning on the app that my train might be delayed next week Thursday between 8-5 due to strike action. Earning £ also helps. I feel much more empowered and upbeat with what the future holds, even though the UK economic outlook is pretty bleak (nothing compared to SA though). People that say the brits moan a lot, should meet South Africans.

5. Stimulation
I suppose this will wear off eventually. I can’t get enough learning about new cultures, people and places. It’s refreshing to chat to Irish, Scottish, Russian, French, German etc people every day and to learn what makes them tick. The UK is a breathtakingly beautiful place, rich with history, and I am having a ball exploring it.

Bottom 5:

1. Banking Sucks.
I was a big Ebucks slut. There are no reward programs here that even come close. Banking is stuck in the middle ages and the apps are garbage. 2 Examples:

1.1 The other day I walked into a bank trying to open a savings account and I was told I needed to make an appointment only to come back to see someone to assist me at a future date (the bank was empty). I compared this to the world class experience when I opened up a Capitec account many years ago.

1.2 I used to make inter account transfers via the FNB app, making add hock payments to my Wesbank & Home loan as I pleased. I was quite shocked to learn that I need to contact BMW financial services for a quote each time I want to make an add hock payment into my car loan. Fill out forms, sign, make payment. Every single time. It’s quite obvious that this is done to deter people from paying up loans quicker, which brings me to my next point.

2. Consumer Protection
This might be down to personal experience, but I feel South African consumers are better protected. Sure, buying anything from Amazon is a seamless process, but I’ve had some run ins with real scummy retailers, few examples:

2.1 Retailer X charges you £5 to return an item. Fair enough, but why can’t I just drop it off at the local depot like I do with my Amazon purchases? Furthermore, you have to physically print the return label at home (who still prints stuff?!). I remember most retailers such as Takealot, Superbalist etc came to fetch returns for free.

2.2 Sneaky and scummy subscription services. I have been tricked into a subscription service twice by buying stuff online. I only realised this the month after when the debit order went off, and I got my money back when complaining. But still, this never happened to me in SA.

3. Restaurants are expensive
Restaurants & pubs are very expensive and the British food tastes bland. In SA I could easily afford eating at a local restaurant twice a week. The run of the mill pub food is pretty kak, and having to go to an "upper end" restaurant that frequent is not financially viable. I find grocery prices on par with SA, if not cheaper earning £. Luckily the food quality in grocery stores is top notch so I find myself experimenting more at home to try to make spectacular food.

4. Labour is kak.
No more garden engineer and no more domestic helper.
After paying a small fortune for a house cleaning service and not being happy with the quality of cleaning, I clean my own house. It’s quite humbling having to scrub toilets and offer up your precious free time to clean your own house after having someone do it for you most of your life. I’m taking a disciplined approach in this area and duties are alternated with the SO on Sunday mornings.

5. Miss family & friends -
Pretty self-explanatory and will be a factor irrespective where you move too.

Everything in life is a trade-off. "The grass is not always greener comes to mind". You trade one thing for another.

In closing - decide what’s important for you to make your own informed decision.
Click to expand...

Glad you’re settling in. Yeah, the PTSD takes a while to subside. After seven years my wife still won’t open the car window. Also took me a while to break the habit of automatically locking the car doors once I was in the driver seat.

Don’t even get me started on banking! Total PITA to open an account when I got here (Monzo, etc, didn’t exist yet). Up until recently I could do literally everything online EXCEPT changing my bloody address - had to go into a branch to do that for some ridiculous reason.

Most of the food here is fine - except for meat. I guess being South African we’ve been spoilt with some of the best in the world, though. And yes, eating out is expensive.

I also live in Surrey. I’ve found it’s close enough to London so I can still go to gigs and football matches, but also far away enough that my surroundings aren’t influenced by it, i.e. people literally living on top of each other, massive traffic congestion, pollution, etc.
 
Tman* said:
Quick 4-month update after relocating to the UK:


Top 5:

1. Safety
I didn't live in a particularly dangerous suburb of JHB. I had every security feature money can buy: high walls, CCTV, armed response, beams, electric fence. I was very security conscious. It took me a good 3 months for my shoulders to drop. I used to wake up & jump out of bed full tactical mode when I heard something outside. My associates laugh at me when I share stories from back home. I am 100% convinced a large chunk of South Africans live with some of form of PDST (myself included). It’s wonderful to sleep in peace, not having to constantly worry about crime.

2. Stuff works
No load shedding (yet). You can send a letter, it's affordable and reliable. You can call up the local council and someone actually answers the phone when you do. It’s pretty epic to experience your tax money actually working.

3. Ease of travel
Car, train, bus, walking - take your pick. It's reliable, and it's affordable when you earn £. It’s a fantastic lifestyle change having the ability to walk and cycle. I reside in Surrey, so the weather is not that bad (yet). I cycle to work and I’m going to try to push for as long as I can - not to take the car or bus. The fact that I can choose between 4 travel methods to get to work is still mind blowing. Having Europe on my doorstep is not bad either. I travelled to Spain a few weeks ago and it was like hopping on a plane from JHB > CPT.

4. Future seems brighter
This might sound stupid, but it feels pretty good not to be trapped in a constant cycle of doom and gloom, corruption, load shedding and generally in a dead-end country. Sure, I've experienced some strikes here too, but at least I get a warning on the app that my train might be delayed next week Thursday between 8-5 due to strike action. Earning £ also helps. I feel much more empowered and upbeat with what the future holds, even though the UK economic outlook is pretty bleak (nothing compared to SA though). People that say the brits moan a lot, should meet South Africans.

5. Stimulation
I suppose this will wear off eventually. I can’t get enough learning about new cultures, people and places. It’s refreshing to chat to Irish, Scottish, Russian, French, German etc people every day and to learn what makes them tick. The UK is a breathtakingly beautiful place, rich with history, and I am having a ball exploring it.

Bottom 5:

1. Banking Sucks.
I was a big Ebucks slut. There are no reward programs here that even come close. Banking is stuck in the middle ages and the apps are garbage. 2 Examples:

1.1 The other day I walked into a bank trying to open a savings account and I was told I needed to make an appointment only to come back to see someone to assist me at a future date (the bank was empty). I compared this to the world class experience when I opened up a Capitec account many years ago.

1.2 I used to make inter account transfers via the FNB app, making add hock payments to my Wesbank & Home loan as I pleased. I was quite shocked to learn that I need to contact BMW financial services for a quote each time I want to make an add hock payment into my car loan. Fill out forms, sign, make payment. Every single time. It’s quite obvious that this is done to deter people from paying up loans quicker, which brings me to my next point.

2. Consumer Protection
This might be down to personal experience, but I feel South African consumers are better protected. Sure, buying anything from Amazon is a seamless process, but I’ve had some run ins with real scummy retailers, few examples:

2.1 Retailer X charges you £5 to return an item. Fair enough, but why can’t I just drop it off at the local depot like I do with my Amazon purchases? Furthermore, you have to physically print the return label at home (who still prints stuff?!). I remember most retailers such as Takealot, Superbalist etc came to fetch returns for free.

2.2 Sneaky and scummy subscription services. I have been tricked into a subscription service twice by buying stuff online. I only realised this the month after when the debit order went off, and I got my money back when complaining. But still, this never happened to me in SA.

3. Restaurants are expensive
Restaurants & pubs are very expensive and the British food tastes bland. In SA I could easily afford eating at a local restaurant twice a week. The run of the mill pub food is pretty kak, and having to go to an "upper end" restaurant that frequent is not financially viable. I find grocery prices on par with SA, if not cheaper earning £. Luckily the food quality in grocery stores is top notch so I find myself experimenting more at home to try to make spectacular food.

4. Labour is kak.
No more garden engineer and no more domestic helper.
After paying a small fortune for a house cleaning service and not being happy with the quality of cleaning, I clean my own house. It’s quite humbling having to scrub toilets and offer up your precious free time to clean your own house after having someone do it for you most of your life. I’m taking a disciplined approach in this area and duties are alternated with the SO on Sunday mornings.

5. Miss family & friends -
Pretty self-explanatory and will be a factor irrespective where you move too.

Everything in life is a trade-off. "The grass is not always greener comes to mind". You trade one thing for another.

In closing - decide what’s important for you to make your own informed decision.
Click to expand...
Even though I emigrated to Europe, I have had very similar experiences. I am glad you're doing well and that you are SO positive.

There are many on this forum that love to attack emigrants like ourselves, but we know what we have now and how much better things are.

If you're ever planning to come to the Netherlands, get in touch.
 
The Voice said:
I also live in Surrey. I’ve found it’s close enough to London so I can still go to gigs and football matches, but also far away enough that my surroundings aren’t influenced by it, i.e. people literally living on top of each other, massive traffic congestion, pollution, etc.
Click to expand...
I work in London every other day. Its very accessible and via trains. Plus you can get work done while traveling. What a treat.
MightyQuin said:
Even though I emigrated to Europe, I have had very similar experiences. I am glad you're doing well and that you are SO positive.

There are many on this forum that love to attack emigrants like ourselves, but we know what we have now and how much better things are.

If you're ever planning to come to the Netherlands, get in touch.
Click to expand...
I was actually due to go to Amsterdam last weekend. My SO had some work to do there and I wanted to tag along. She couldn't get a visa in time, so it was postponed to next year :/
 
Tman* said:
1. Banking Sucks.
I was a big Ebucks slut. There are no reward programs here that even come close. Banking is stuck in the middle ages and the apps are garbage.
Click to expand...
I’m in the US, but banking also gave me one of my worst impressions of my new country. The first bank treated me like I had climbed over the fence to get in the country. They wouldn’t even issue me a debit card.

Tman* said:
3. Restaurants are expensive
Restaurants & pubs are very expensive and the British food tastes bland. In SA I could easily afford eating at a local restaurant twice a week. The run of the mill pub food is pretty kak, and having to go to an "upper end" restaurant that frequent is not financially viable. I find grocery prices on par with SA, if not cheaper earning £. Luckily the food quality in grocery stores is top notch so I find myself experimenting more at home to try to make spectacular food.
Click to expand...
Not a fan of Pizza Express? :) I found restaurants to be expensive in Rand terms (both in the US and UK), but relative to rent/property and salary, I thought it was fair. It may take a few raises and/or a job move to get to that point though.

Tman* said:
5. Miss family & friends -
Pretty self-explanatory and will be a factor irrespective where you move too.
Click to expand...
This was always the biggest issue for me. After a while I was doing well enough to fly family over or visit then relatively frequently though, so this has become much less of a concern. What’s great (for you) is that whether you are making dollars, pounds or Rands, the flight tickets are roughly the same, so they become a relatively affordable quickly.
 
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