*This content is brought to you by Sable International. With offices in Cape Town, London and Melbourne they have fast become experts in assisting South Africans with all their immigration needs.
By Gary Kockott*
The UK and Australia have always been popular immigration destinations for South Africans. Many families find themselves comparing the two when deciding where to go next. It’s not an easy decision to make, as both countries have some serious pull factors. Let’s take a look at the two countries’ immigration systems, as well as the kind of life you can expect to enjoy once you’re there.
Some advice on picking the right visa
There are many visas you can apply for in both the UK and Australia, which is fantastic as it increases your chances of being able to move to either. However, both immigration systems are complex and the wrong move can end up costing you a lot of time and money.
It’s always best to do loads of research about your visa options before you apply. Then, when the time comes to make your application, you should consult an immigration specialist to make sure the visa you’re applying for will help you achieve your long-term goals.
Your UK visa options
It’s far easier to get a UK visa if you have a familial link to the UK. However, you can get a UK work permit if you are offered a job in the UK. There are also entrepreneur and investment visas if you’re looking to start a business or invest capital into an existing UK business.
The Ancestry visa
If you have a UK-born grandparent, you could be eligible for an Ancestry visa. This is one of the most popular UK visas with South Africans. An Ancestry visa will allow you to live and work in the UK for five years with very few restrictions. After you’ve been in the UK for five years (and satisfied a few other criteria) you can apply for indefinite leave to remain, which can then lead to full British citizenship.
Partner visas
If you are married to, or are in a relationship with, a British citizen or someone settled in the UK, there are a variety of partner visas you can apply for. Remember: You can also move to the UK if you are in a relationship with an EU national who is living in the UK.
Partner visas are usually issued for two and a half years and can be renewed for a further 32 months. This visa allows you to live and work without restriction in the UK during this time. You can then extend your visa for a further two and a half years when it expires.
Do take note, there is a minimum income requirement for the UK spouse visa. Currently, you have to earn the Rand equivalent of £18,600 six months prior to your application. What’s more, in 2018, this minimum income threshold is set to increase. So if you are planning on applying for this visa, sooner will be better than later.
Work permits
If you are offered employment in the UK, you may be eligible for a Tier 2 work permit. Your employer will need to sponsor you and the position will need to be permanent for you to qualify for a Tier 2 work permit. This type of UK work permit is valid for a maximum of three years, after which you can apply for an extension. This visa also allows you to bring dependant family members with you.
Some professions, such as engineering, healthcare and teaching, are in such high demand in the UK that a fast-tracked application process has been created for these workers. It’s a good idea to check the Skills Occupation List to see if your skills are in high demand in the UK.
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa
If you are planning on starting or investing in a business in the UK, you could be eligible for a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa. This visa allows you to earn residency rights for yourself and your family and, if you choose wisely, the business you start up could provide you with a stable income.
Your initial visa will be valid for a period of three years and four months. You can then extend it for a further two years, if the relevant requirements are met. This will allow you, and any of your dependant family members on your visa, to apply for ILR and, later, full British citizenship.
Tier 1 (Investor) visa
If you have the funds to invest, this is a rather straightforward option to earn UK residency rights for you and your family. If you invest ÂŁ2 million or more in the UK in government bonds or share capital of active and trading companies, you will be able to apply for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa.
Your initial visa is valid for three years and four months. You can then apply to extend it for another two years. You and your family will eventually be able to apply for ILR, and after holding ILR for 12 months you can apply to be naturalised as a British citizen.
Your Aussie visa options
There are a variety of Australian visas available to skilled adults. There are also specific visas that allow migrants to move Down Under with their families. Regional Australia, in particular, is offering a high number of visas to migrants, because they need to shore up some of their skills shortages as a matter of urgency.
The Skilled Independent visa
This is a permanent residence visa that allows you the freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia. To be able to apply for this visa, you must have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupations list, as well as be under 45 years of age.
One of the greatest things about holding this visa is that you will be deemed a permanent resident in Australia from the moment you land there. You will also be able to take dependant family members with you and, because you’re a permanent resident, you will be able to sponsor non-Australians for other visas.
Another interesting quirk of this visa is that once you are in Australia, regardless of what qualification you’ve used to apply for the visa, you can work in any field you wish. For instance: You can apply for a Skilled Independent visa if you’re a qualified secondary school teacher. Once you get to Australia, however, you can apply for any other type of employment without losing your Skilled Independent visa.
Employer Nomination Scheme
This permanent residency visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by an approved Australian employee to live and work in Australia. You can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) if you are interested in this visa, and prospective employers can then view your details and decide whether to nominate you.
This visa allows you to bring your family members with you, however you will have to pay a fee for each additional family member who is coming with you.
Partner visa
If you’re in a relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for an Australian partner visa that will allow you to live and work in Australia, as well as bring any children or step-children with you. If you meet the criteria, you will either be issued with a temporary Partner visa (subclass 820 or 309) which is valid for two years or a permanent Partner visa (subclass 801 or 100) which is a Permanent residency visa.
The permanent Partner visa lets you stay in Australia indefinitely, work and study, enrol in Medicare. You will also be able to receive some social security payments and eventually apply for Australian citizenship.
If you receive a temporary Partner visa you will have to satisfy immigration authorities, over the two-year span of the visa, that your relationship is genuine. Once you have done this, you can apply for a permanent Partner visa.
Take note: Anyone who can prove they have been in a long-term relationship (three years or more) will be granted a permanent Partner visa and will skip the initial two-year temporary visa.
The cost of living
One of the most important factors to consider when thinking about relocating is the cost of living. Both Australia and the UK are considered expensive places to live, especially by us Rand-wielding South Africans. However, costs vary depending on which part of either country you choose to live in.
The most expensive city in the UK is, of course, London, but the further you move from London, the less expensive things become. Cities such as Cardiff, Sheffield, Liverpool and Nottingham are good examples of the diminishing costs when you move further from the capital.
The same applies to Australia. Sydney and Perth are considered some of the most expensive cities in the world, whereas Canberra, Adelaide and the Gold Coast are more reasonable.
These secondary cities are also usually less crowded and offer access to more rural areas than the major metropoles. So, if you’re not the city slicker type, taking a serious look at the lesser known cities and regions of both the UK and Australia could work in your favour.
It should be noted that salaries in cities such as London and Sydney tend to be far higher to compensate for the high cost of living. The salaries in the less expensive cities tend to be lower, but this will, of course, depend on the type of job you are doing.
Below is a comparison of the two most expensive cities in the UK and Australia respectively, followed by two of the least expensive cities.
Expense |
London |
Sydney |
| Monthly rent for an apartment in a normal area | R34,040 | R29,446 |
| 1 litre of petrol | R22 | R14 |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R18 | R28 |
| Big Mac Meal | R110 | R113 |
| Internet (Wifi) (1 month) | R402
|
R574 |
| 1 pair of jeans
(Levis or similar) |
R1,308
|
R1,137 |
| Short visit to private doctor | R1,359
|
R727 |
| 1 beer in a pub (500ml) | R93
|
R84 |
| Monthly public transport ticket | R2,567
|
R1,685 |
Expense |
Nottingham |
Adelaide |
| Monthly rent for an apartment in a normal area | R12,215 | R16,657 |
| 1 litre of petrol | R22 | R14 |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R12 | R18 |
| Big Mac Meal | R91 | R107 |
| Internet (Wifi) (1 month) | R419 | R548 |
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis or similar) | R1,012 | R1,156 |
| Short visit to private doctor | R1,120 | R525 |
| 1 beer in a pub (500ml) | R63 | R84 |
| Monthly public transport ticket | R1,055 | R1,089 |
Quality of life
The culture
The UK is famous for its rich and fascinating history and it’s located in (arguably) the most interesting continent on the planet – Europe. With so many different cultures and so much history in such a small area, you’ll be spoilt for choice living in the UK. London, especially, has a buzz that other cities can’t compare to. The nightlife, museums, theatre and concerts are what make it one of the world’s most popular cities.
Australia is famous for its blue-flag beaches, nature reserves, sense of community and laidback lifestyle. The Aussies love their outdoor sports and community events, which is all complimented by the year round hot and sunny weather. But it’s not just all surf, sun and cricket, Sydney and Melbourne are internationally regarded as some of the best cities to do business in. Even in rural Australia, there are loads of opportunities for skilled workers.
The weather
With climate dictating so much of the average South African’s lifestyle, the weather can be one of the biggest factors to weigh in when making your decision on where to move to. The long rainy winter months in the UK can really drag, whereas Australia enjoys long hot summers and mild winters. Keep in mind, however, that the summers in Australia are extremely hot which can present some rather unique challenges – we’re talking De Aar levels of heat.
Aussies spend a lot of time outside engaging in sports and staying fit, whereas much of life in the UK is spent indoors. You’ll have to compare this to your own lifestyle to see which will best suit you and your family.
Healthcare systems
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is one of the best in the world, coming in first in the 2017 Commonwealth Fund study of 11 developed countries. If you move to the UK, you will have to pay the immigration health surcharge with your visa application, which will give you access to free world-class healthcare whilst you are in the UK.
Australia’s healthcare system, Medicare, came in fourth in the Commonwealth Fund study. Medicare doesn’t provide free healthcare, but you will have access to subsidised healthcare and medicinal costs through this system.
Speak to an expert
It’s not ever easy to decide to leave your home country. It’s also not easy to pick a new home. If you’d like to explore your immigration options, email immigration team on [email protected].
- Gary Kockott is Managing Director of Sable International
