all you south african's out there...?

Question

have you any advidce on immigration?
are you currently still in south-africa, or have you considered immigration?
any advice that you can give?

Answer 1

If you have the education and work experience, I would try immigrating through the skilled employment route (for whichever country you may be considering).
It may take longer and require a bit more patience but it´s a lot easier getting residence first, than applying for work permits etc.

Also a lot of countries do not allow you to apply for a work permit from within the country (e.g Australia , find out about this before you leave, you don´t want to find work and find out that you have to leave the country to apply for a work permit ) which is tricky, because you are supposed to go there (very few people are employed over the internet) find work, then leave the country, apply for your work permit outside the country, wait for the whole process which can take weeks or months (plus your potential employer has to wait for you) and may not even be approved.

There are countries that do allow work permit applications from within the country (find out before you go). New Zealand is one of them. Find out which geographical areas are more in shortage of skilled labour eg. applying for a work permit outside of Auckland (where they are already innundated with applications) is a better idea.

Be realistic about leaving, immigration is tough, can you be parted from your family for what could be forever.
(Friends you can make over there again!)

Before you leave write down all the reasons why you want to leave, what are the annoyances and irritations, what do you want for the future. Be elaborate. Keep this with you.
Time has a way of dulling the memories and feelings behind the reasons that made you want to leave in the first place.
When home sickness sets in (and it will!!) read what you wrote down.
Also meet with friends who have immigrated, it helps to talk about it.

And finally,
don´t give up, where there is the will, there is a way,

I live in South East Spain with my wife,
you can´t put a price tag on the fact that we go walking outside at any time of the day or night with peace of mind,
we never think about serious crime and very seldom hear about it, we are living again in a healthy normal society.
Of course everywhere has their problems but it´s nice to not be suffocated by them as you are in South Africa. Being away from all the imposed guilt, crime and destructive politics is a lot healthier for body and soul.

All the best,
E-mail me if you have any other questions.

Answer 2

I have left South Africa, BUT only for a few years whilst I complete further studies. My heart remains in South Africa and I WILL go back. Although crime is much less where I am, it does not compare to the indescribable beauty and charm of Africa. I have travelled a bit and am confident that NO other continent can compare with Africa, especially the wildlife and believe it or not people......the best food in the world, biggest variety of sea-foods AND the most accommodating, friendly people who are to say the least, quite educated and 'first world' literate in SA! And yes, we have crime, but where in the world doesn't. Nobody is totally safe anywhere in the world unless you choose an unchartered island, then watch out for tsunamis or something else. Come on!
Come and see what a beautiful place South Africa is! You will need immigration because you will want to stay. Good luck!

Answer 3

I still live in South Africa, and won't move. I love it here... and I know a bunch of ppl who moved here from the UK and Canada who thinks this is the best place on earth, problems and all, and they all refuse to go back to their own countries. They keep telling me all countries have their problems and South Africa isn't worse than anywhere else. Whether they're right or wrong, I wouldn't know, but I'll take their side.

With so many South Africans moving to other countries, immigration laws were relaxed and simplified in 2003 to attract skilled workers to South Africa. In less than a week after submitting your application, you can have your work permit and on be your way to SA. More information on immigrating to South Africa can be found here:

http://www.safrica.info/public_services/foreigners/immigration/immigration.htm

As for work and immigration services, get a professional to help you sort out all the legal stuff. Here are some links to web sites of ppl who deal in immigration to SA:

http://www.immigrationservices.co.za
http://www.ritztrade.com
http://www.intergate-immigration.com
http://www.steppingsouth.com

Answer 4

My boyfriend is South African (certainly Afrikaans) he speaks Afrikaans at domicile together with his mum and dad and that i connect at circumstances. Maar my Afrikaans is baie sleg! as quickly as we are mutually we talk English as my Afrikaans isn't ideal and that i'm getting annoyed genuinely if i would be unable to assert a particular word yet he teaches me properly and that i'm getting greater advantageous each and on a daily basis. We met in England yet that doesn't make a distinction to what language we talk, in actual fact i'm no longer fluent in Afrikaans. i assume i'm the undertaking LOL yet like I say i'm discovering further and extra. If it replaced into any opposite direction around, i could even have needed him to income my language. i admire Afrikaans, it fairly is basically getting the carry of it. additionally being interior the united kingdom lots of the time the place Afrikaans isn't spoken till you be responsive to South Africans, it fairly is greater durable to familiarize your self with the language. So while i bypass to SA in December i'm going to attempt and basically talk as plenty Afrikaans as i will.

Answer 5

I'm still in South Africa but only because of my family. I will never leave this country without them but I know that there's a much better life out there where crime is not so hectic and out of control. Here's my advice: Stay as far away from South Africa as you possibly can.

Answer 6

Hi,

We live in South Africa by choice - we have the skills and passports to live elsewhere and we didi live outside the country for 3 years.

We made a deliberate choice come back and to raise our family here because it is a fantastic place to raise kids (yes, I'm white and middle class so have access to education, decent housing etc) and because they will grow up with their eyes open appreciating what they have.

We also feel we can make a difference contributing here, even if only by paying our taxes!

We love it and have no plans to live elsewhere again.

And to those who will say I am mad and an ostrich about cime etc -- I'm not blind to the problems SA faces, but I refuse to be blinded by them either . There is much to enjoy and be proud of here.

Answer 7

I would agree with everybody it's the prettiest place on earth but im writing you this letter sitting in USA because work is hard to find back home but in the us and uk there is so many oppertunities,i miss my family and friends but over here i have made new friends and i still know how to have fun!

Answer 8

There really are many reasons why the Republic is a good place to come to. The economy is booming right now and there are plenty of job oppurtunities. Especially for higher management positions. From just one night of applying online for work (without having any experience) in the Cape area, I got 7 interviews and 2 offers... for someone who just left varsity this is great.

My best advice, Don't go to Johannesburg, for god's sake, don't. You will get mugged, hijacked or beaten up (or all of them).

Answer 9

It is really about time we get positive about our country. It is a great place!!!! few countries can compare with our weather and with what we got in natural resources. Maybe if we stop running around and being negative things around us will start changing.

I had friend immigrating to America to get shot at as they left the airport. they were back on the next flight.

Answer 10

I am proudly sa and here to stay - I think that we NEED people to stay in the country - how can the state of SA improve if everyone leaves?