Immigrating to the UK

[The Voice]

Other question is, unless you own property or something, what’s the point of retaining your SA citizenship if you never intend on living there again?

 

[Brawler]

We may consider immigration to UK again.

My wife is really struggling to find work in SA (teacher with degree and experience) and lately we are really struggling on one salary. Our only debt is the bond (owe about 1.6 on a 2.5m property) and have one child.
I am a degreed & certified business analyst / product owner with about 13 years experience.

A couple years ago we decided to stay in SA as on two salaries life was really good (could save and do a lot, even travel) and we have family in SA but at the moment we can't really even travel to see them. If we need to 'downgrade' our house my feeling is we might as well start again somewhere with better long term prospects.

I have been to UK many times so I know what it's like (done the tourist stuff but also 'chilled' for 3 weeks one winter). My grandfather was born in the UK so have the ancestral option. We do have family that side who could help us settle in.

A couple questions if you don't mind:

1. What is the job market like at the moment considering our professions? Will we stand a chance?
2. I take the property market that side is a mess and the rands we bring will mean we will need to rent for many years
3. I'm 36 and wife is 35. Too late?
4. How does pension/retirement work that side. Here I have a pension that is decent but doubt we will be fine long term here with the way things are going.

 

[The Voice]

The UK government doesn't base the amount of assistance they provide on what passport you entered SA on. They base it on a) your being British, and b) what other nationalities you might also have.

As for a South African with dual SA/UK nationality being in SA this would seem to apply.

Source


Not in the slightest.

Ah right, makes sense.

 

[Priapus]

Other question is, unless you own property or something, what’s the point of retaining your SA citizenship if you never intend on living there again?

No one knows what the future holds. Maybe in 20 years SA is the place to retire. I'd rather have the option and not use it, than wanting to move back and have to re-instate citizenship.

 

[2026]

We may consider immigration to UK again.

My wife is really struggling to find work in SA (teacher with degree and experience) and lately we are really struggling on one salary. Our only debt is the bond (owe about 1.6 on a 2.5m property) and have one child.
I am a degreed & certified business analyst / product owner with about 13 years experience.

A couple years ago we decided to stay in SA as on two salaries life was really good (could save and do a lot, even travel) and we have family in SA but at the moment we can't really even travel to see them. If we need to 'downgrade' our house my feeling is we might as well start again somewhere with better long term prospects.

I have been to UK many times so I know what it's like (done the tourist stuff but also 'chilled' for 3 weeks one winter). My grandfather was born in the UK so have the ancestral option. We do have family that side who could help us settle in.

A couple questions if you don't mind:

1. What is the job market like at the moment considering our professions?
2. I take the property market that side is a mess and the rands we bring will mean we will need to rent for many years
3. I'm 36 and wife is 35. Too late? How does pension/retirement work that side. Here I have a pension that is decent but doubt we will be fine long term here with the way things are going.

1. I can't really speak for everyone, but I found a job quite quickly as a software developer - I start in 2 weeks, and this up in north England (ie. not London where tech is big)

2. Prices of owning anything in London are crazy, where I am it's also insane compared to SA but you learn that it's actually all you need really. I'm looking to buy next year, but I have quite a bit of money to put down a large deposit on a house, but it's quite rough. Seems like prices are starting to go down a little with 'high' interest rates now. Once you earn pounds you just work out what you can afford and it seems quite reasonable depending on your needs (again, this is far from London)

3. Not too late to move in my opinion. I think others will talk about retirement/pensions. My new employer mentions pension plans, but I don't know the exact details yet.

 

[Priapus]

We may consider immigration to UK again.

My wife is really struggling to find work in SA (teacher with degree and experience) and lately we are really struggling on one salary. Our only debt is the bond (owe about 1.6 on a 2.5m property) and have one child.
I am a degreed & certified business analyst / product owner with about 13 years experience.

A couple years ago we decided to stay in SA as on two salaries life was really good (could save and do a lot, even travel) and we have family in SA but at the moment we can't really even travel to see them. If we need to 'downgrade' our house my feeling is we might as well start again somewhere with better long term prospects.

I have been to UK many times so I know what it's like (done the tourist stuff but also 'chilled' for 3 weeks one winter). My grandfather was born in the UK so have the ancestral option. We do have family that side who could help us settle in.

A couple questions if you don't mind:

1. What is the job market like at the moment considering our professions? Will we stand a chance?
2. I take the property market that side is a mess and the rands we bring will mean we will need to rent for many years
3. I'm 36 and wife is 35. Too late?
4. How does pension/retirement work that side. Here I have a pension that is decent but doubt we will be fine long term here with the way things are going.

1. With a 3.5% unemployment rate; very good.
2. Yes, we'll be renting too for a bit before we buy
3. Most definitely not
4. Its law the UK employers setup a pension fund for you. You'll need to contribute for a while to get a state pension. But either way, private or not - it's starting over from scratch with that.

 

[The Voice]

No one knows what the future holds. Maybe in 20 years SA is the place to retire. I'd rather have the option and not use it, than wanting to move back and have to re-instate citizenship.

Even without citizenship they can’t deny you residency if you were born there iirc, but good point. We can only hope I guess.

 

[Priapus]

Even without citizenship they can’t deny you residency if you were born there iirc, but good point. We can only hope I guess.

No they can't. But having a valid SA passport just means everything is much easier - especially for my wife who would need to go the visa route.

 

[Sinbad]

I think I'm going to need to talk to an immigration lawyer about the timing :/
I wonder if it's worth it - they may be more fkn expensive than the NHI fee

 

[2026]

I think I'm going to need to talk to an immigration lawyer about the timing :/
I wonder if it's worth it - they may be more fkn expensive than the NHI fee

Can you just apply 2 weeks earlier?

 

[Paul Kemp]

A couple questions if you don't mind:

1. What is the job market like at the moment considering our professions? Will we stand a chance?
2. I take the property market that side is a mess and the rands we bring will mean we will need to rent for many years
3. I'm 36 and wife is 35. Too late?
4. How does pension/retirement work that side. Here I have a pension that is decent but doubt we will be fine long term here with the way things are going.

1. IT market is good. Mostly hybrid from my experience so you don’t have to live in a major city. Salaries, benefits and leave days are really good.
2. Property is expensive if you convert from rands but comparable to salaries and with low interest it’s not bad. Just need that big deposit. Area dependant but again, salaries typically align to area.
3. I’m 45 and have been here 2 years. Not sure I’m the best example but I’m in a good position life wise.
4. You’ll need to read the details re: state pension and years worked but companies will sign you up. Part of my package has the company contributing both portions.

Overall we have more disposable income by a long shot compared to what was a continual decline in South Africa. Long term it offers us a lot more potential, besides, our kids are flourishing and that is enough.

Edit to add: I would kill to hire a good South African immigrant into my department

 

[Sinbad]

Can you just apply 2 weeks earlier?

I'm reading a lot of conflicting stuff about when the deemed application date is - some people say it's when your present visa expires (or 28 days after your renewal application) - and if that's the case, is that the date when the NHI fee is calculated?

We can definitely renew in december/early jan and meet the 5 year thing without another renewal. But when, is the question.

 

[Priapus]

I think I have decided to do the following with my application:

1. Use an immigration lawyer / agent. I want to get it right the first time
2. Pay the priority fee to have the visa processed quicker.

We are already under pressure and stress about getting all things timed right - eg the animals need to find a place and so do we before we get on that plane - and a bunch of other ****.

 

[Priapus]

I'm reading a lot of conflicting stuff about when the deemed application date is - some people say it's when your present visa expires (or 28 days after your renewal application) - and if that's the case, is that the date when the NHI fee is calculated?

We can definitely renew in december/early jan and meet the 5 year thing without another renewal. But when, is the question.

I'd just pay an immigration lawyer to give you the info you need and advice etc - if for nothing, the peace of mind.

 

[Sinbad]

I'd just pay an immigration lawyer to give you the info you need and advice etc - if for nothing, the peace of mind.

There's a potential saving of £1000 at stake - aside from that there are no worries

 

[Priapus]

There's a potential saving of £1000 at stake - aside from that there are no worries

Ah, I hear you. Then I guess it's a matter of just seeing what a lawyer would charge. The one I contacted wants £800 to handle the full application (Seriously considering it) - so I would not expect your fee to be anywhere near that as you're just seeking some clarity.

 

[Sinbad]

Ah, I hear you. Then I guess it's a matter of just seeing what a lawyer would charge. The one I contacted wants £800 to handle the full application (Seriously considering it) - so I would not expect your fee to be anywhere near that as you're just seeking some clarity.

Mind sharing the details? (are they in UK?)

 

[Priapus]

Mind sharing the details? (are they in UK?)

Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants - UK Immigration

Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants - The Trusted Name in UK Immigration. Our consultants are highly qualified and experienced.

www.bic-immigration.com

Yes, they are. They helped my mother get her visa in 2021.

Although I am using Sable - who are also in UK - as they were recommended here too. Might be worth it to check who is cheaper

Services For Global Movement And Finance | Sable International

We specialise in cross-border financial and immigration advice and solutions. We can help you move overseas, invest offshore or expand your business.

www.sableinternational.com

 

[Dave]

I'm reading a lot of conflicting stuff about when the deemed application date is - some people say it's when your present visa expires (or 28 days after your renewal application) - and if that's the case, is that the date when the NHI fee is calculated?

We can definitely renew in december/early jan and meet the 5 year thing without another renewal. But when, is the question.

Who is your MP? Penny Mordaunt?

It might be worth seeing if they do a GP surgery and either going in on one or even emailing as a constituent and asking the questions (make the point that contacting the INS is difficult).

 

[Sinbad]

Who is your MP? Penny Mordaunt?

It might be worth seeing if they do a GP surgery and either going in on one or even emailing as a constituent and asking the questions (make the point that contacting the INS is difficult).

No. Michael Tam I think...