[imagesource: Charles Postiaux / Unsplash]

Immigration to the UK from South Africa has increased in recent years and there are several reasons why people decide to make the move. Families often move for good employment prospects and better-quality schools, while single people might move to meet new people and embrace a different culture.

It’s important to thoroughly consider your reasons for moving as they can influence what type of visa you apply for. For example, single individuals hoping to pursue their careers should apply for work visas, whereas families may be better suited looking into UK family visas. No matter your reasons, it’s a good idea to start the visa application process early on to avoid disappointment.

Though the process of moving may seem complicated and you may have your doubts, immigrating to the UK can be an incredible opportunity for you and your family. Don’t believe us? Here are a few reasons why you should move to the UK from South Africa… 

Why Should South Africans Move to the UK?

High-Quality Public Schools 

The UK is known worldwide for its high-quality education, with half a million students studying in the UK from all across the world. With high rankings in both public and private schools, you needn’t worry about where your child is studying. Public funded schools perform well, but if you did want to pay for private education, there are a number of high standard private schools across the country. 

Government Funded National Health Service (NHS)

Private medical costs in South Africa can be extortionate and it’s sometimes the only route to go down, as state-funded care is often underfunded and under-resourced. 

You won’t have this problem in the UK. The NHS is a government-funded health care service available to all, whether you are a British citizen or a migrant. Recognised for its great quality service, the NHS is a free of charge service, so you won’t have to worry about the additional costs. 

Lower Crime Rates  

Unfortunately, the crime rate in South Africa is known to be one of the highest in the world, with horrific crimes like rape, murder, hijackings, and theft regularly reported. Though the UK’s crime rate isn’t the lowest in the world, it’s much lower than South Africa’s and is generally a very safe place to live. Be mindful that petty crimes do still exist, like they do in most countries. 

Low Unemployment Rates

The UK is a great place to be for employment opportunities, with many jobs available to both British citizens and migrants, in various career sectors. The covid pandemic has led to an increase in the number of businesses that are desperately in need of employees. Could this give you the perfect opportunity to find a career in the field you want? 

No Language Barrier

One thing that makes the move to the UK from South Africa an easy transition is that the countries share the same language. This makes things like employment, enrolling into schools, and everyday communication, a far simpler task. Nevertheless, don’t let the standard British accent on TV fool you, there are a variety of unusual accents up and down the country, some less easy to understand. 

Pound Sterling Ranks Fifth Highest in the World

Unfortunately, the South African rand is a weakening currency. The pound sterling, on the other hand, is one of the strongest currencies, currently ranking as the fifth most valuable currency in the whole world!  With the pound being a strong currency, you’ll know that your money is of higher value, and be able to better support yourself and your family in the future. 

The Great British Hospitality 

The Brits are well known for being extremely friendly and welcoming, which is exactly what you want when you’re leaving your friends and family in South Africa behind. Supposedly, in the UK, the further north people live, the nicer and friendly they are.

Great Travel Routes 

The UK is perfectly positioned in the world, making it extremely easy to travel to a wide variety of destinations, especially those countries placed in Europe. With commercial airports up and down the country, and many airports having international travel routes, travel to and from South Africa should be a breeze.

Don’t Let Your Fears Stop You From Immigrating to the UK

It can be a terrifying prospect to move away from your home country and leave your family and friends behind. But it is important to ensure you and your family are getting the best quality out of life. Take time to consider your options and talk to other people for guidance, without letting any fears hold you back. 

In this article, we’ve discussed the top eight reasons to move to the UK from South Africa, but there are so many other great reasons as to why the UK is a great place to relocate to. Endeavour to do some of your own research on its great culture and beautiful nature spots to find out more. We hope our ideas have inspired you to start a promising future in the UK!