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In the whole of Europe, the United Kingdom (UK) has the highest number of South Africans living in the country, and they are willing to welcome more.
Hopefully, you will be among them soon. All you have to do is follow what we will share here about how others are moving to UK from South Africa.
The United Kingdom and South Africa have enjoyed a good relationship over the years, protected each other’s interests and worked together in many different areas.
This is why South Africa is among the countries with the highest UK visa approval rate in Africa.
You can move to the UK from South Africa through different immigration pathways, however, the best options (which we will talk about here) come with visa sponsorship.
This means that the cost of your visa, flight ticket and other travel expenses will be covered for you. How you can do this is what we’re going to explain here.
Why you should consider moving to the UK from South Africa
If you are still doubting whether moving to the UK from South Africa is a good choice, then you should read this.
The UK has more opportunities for you: No matter your age, level of education (for those who want to study) or work experience (for anyone who wants to work), the UK has more opportunities for you than South Africa.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to disrespect South Africa (we are doing well for ourselves as a nation), but the facts are there.
Take, for instance, as of the third quarter of last year, South Africa’s unemployment rate was 32.1%, with youth unemployment (ages 15-32) at 60.8%.
In contrast, the UK’s unemployment rate during the same period was very low, theirs was one of the lowest in the world.
Whatever you are paid or you make now in South Africa, if you move to the UK, you will make way more and still work under better conditions.
In addition to more opportunities, the UK’s economy is better, recent reports show that South Africa’s GDP per capita was $6,253.
The UK’s GDP per capita is way higher than $6,253, indicating a more robust economy and better living standards.
If you have always dreamed of immigrating from South Africa to the UK, this is your chance to do it with visa sponsorship.
What do you need to move to the UK from South Africa? – Requirements to immigrate to UK from South Africa
To successfully migrate to the UK from South Africa, you need to choose a suitable immigration program – one that you are eligible for.
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Choose a suitable immigration program.
There are many immigration pathways in the UK. The one you will choose depends on what you want to do when you get to the UK and what you qualify for – don’t worry, we will discuss these programs in the later part of this guide.
In addition to choosing a suitable immigration program, you need a valid visa.
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You need a visa
There are different visas you can get, and each one is tied to the program you choose.
You can choose a Worker visa (if you want to work when you arrive in the UK), a Student visa (if you want to study in the UK with full sponsorship), or a Business visa (if you have business to do in the UK).
The UK also have other options like the Family visa, but it’s for those who have families in the UK.
If you are going for a work visa or a study visa, your visa application expenses, travel expenses, and accommodation will be handled under this sponsorship program– we will share the program later in this guide.
In addition to your visa, you also need:
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A valid passport
Of course, you know you must have a passport. A valid one. It should have blank spaces for your visa.
Other requirements are:
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A certificate of sponsorship (CoS)
You will need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), but don’t worry, your sponsor (depending on your chosen program) will give you this certificate.
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Proof of qualifications
This one is for those who want to work when they get to the UK. It shows that you are qualified to do the job you want to do.
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Police clearance certificate
This will prove to the UK authorities that you don’t have a criminal record or anything that they should be worried about.
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Tuberculosis (TB) test results
If you intend to stay in the UK for more than six months, you will take a tuberculosis test from a clinic approved by the UK Home Office.
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Completed visa application form
You will fill out the UK visa application form and submit it before the UK authorities grant you a visa to enter the country.
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You will submit your biometrics
This part is simple, just go to a UK visa application centre in South Africa to submit your fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) – you will do this when you have submitted your visa application.
The most important requirement on the list here is your visa. You cannot migrate to the UK from South Africa without a UK visa.
What type of UK visa do you need to migrate to the UK from South Africa?
As I already said, if you want to join others and migrate to the UK from South Africa, then getting a UK visa is mandatory.
Here is the thing: while your visa is compulsory, the type of visa you will get depends on what you want to do when you get to the UK.
Many South Africans who have successfully moved to the UK did so either to work or to study.
What do you want to do when you arrive in the UK?
Work or Study?
Different UK visas you can apply for to migrate from South Africa to the UK
| Visa Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Visa | For those with a job offer from a UK employer. | 5 years (renewable) |
| Student Visa (Tier 4) | For those enrolling in UK universities or colleges. | Course duration + extra time |
| Spouse/Partner Visa | For those joining, a UK citizen or resident spouse/partner. | 2.5 years (renewable) |
| Ancestry Visa | For those with a UK-born grandparent. | 5 years (renewable) |
| Global Talent Visa | For highly skilled professionals in certain fields. | 5 years |
| Investor/Innovator Visa | For entrepreneurs and investors. | Varies |
| Start-up Visa | For those starting a business in the UK. | 2 years |
| Health and Care Worker Visa | For healthcare professionals working in the UK. | 5 years (renewable) |
| Youth Mobility Scheme Visa | For young South Africans aged 18-30 to work/travel. | 2 years |
| Graduate Visa | For international students staying after graduation. | 2 years |
| Minister of Religion Visa | For religious workers and missionaries. | 3 years (renewable) |
| Temporary Worker Visa (T5) | For short-term work in charity, sports, or other related areas. | 6-24 months |
| Business Visitor Visa | For business-related short stays. | Up to 6 months |
| Dependent Visa | For dependents of UK visa holders. | Matches the main visa holder |
| Standard Visitor Visa | For tourism, family visits, or short-term business. | Up to 6 months |
Getting a UK visa in South Africa, whether it’s a work visa, visitor visa, study visa, or even business visa, costs a lot of money.
Previously, this is the reason why many don’t migrate. However, since the start of the visa sponsorship programs, many people are now migrating from South Africa to the UK without spending any money.
I know it sounds hard to believe, but it is true, there are many visa sponsorship programs (for People in South Africa) that are currently going on in the UK.
Through these programs, you can move to the UK from South Africa. The programs cover the costs of your visa application, travel expenses, and even accommodation.
Some of the sponsorship programs are controlled by UK employers, educational institutions, government-licensed organisations, and even government-backed initiatives.
The target is to promote a beneficial relationship between the two countries and also to attract skilled workers, students, and professionals.
Below are the ongoing visa sponsorship programs that you can migrate through.
Ongoing visa sponsorship programs that can help you move to the UK from South Africa for free
As I already stated, there are many of these visa sponsorship programs out there. The question is, which one are you eligible for?
Check some of the programs below.
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Skilled worker visa sponsorship
A recent report from mirror.co.uk shows that many UK companies in areas like engineering, IT, farming, logistics, processing, construction, and finance are hiring workers from other countries to fill the labour shortage in the country, which was reported months ago.
And guess what,” South Africa is top of the list of countries that are eligible for this program.
What I’m saying is “If you want to migrate to the UK from South Africa and you have the right skills and experience”, this one is the right program for you, and now is the right time to migrate.
It will come with full visa sponsorship that will be licensed by the UK government, which means you won’t pay for anything.
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Health and care worker visa sponsorship
I don’t know if you have heard, but the UK is currently facing a huge shortage of healthcare workers and people who are willing to work in the health space.
This has forced hospitals, care homes, and healthcare agencies to look for immigrants whom they will sponsor to come and fill the shortage.
So, if you are a qualified professional like a nurse, caregiver, or medical practitioner, or you can take care of the elderly, you are needed in the UK.
Your visa application fees, flight tickets, and accommodation will be covered.
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Unskilled worker visa sponsorship
This one is for people without any skills, but who still want to work when they arrive in the UK.
Let’s assume you don’t have a skill, but you still want to move to the UK from South Africa, you will be offered the opportunity.
The only thing is that when you arrive, you will be trained by experts there before you start working.
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Seasonal worker visa (T5) with full sponsorship
This is for you if you want to work in the UK temporarily, doing seasonal jobs, especially in agriculture (e.g., fruit picking).
Get more information about this here: Seasonal Worker Visa.
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Temporary worker – Charity worker visa (T5)
In this one, you will do unpaid voluntary work for a charity in the UK and from there you can stay permanently.
You can read more information about it here: Charity Worker Visa
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Temporary worker – Creative and sporting visa (T5)
For this, you must be someone who has been offered work in the UK as a creative worker or sportsperson.
Check more information about this one here: Creative and Sporting Visa.
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Student visa with full sponsorship
If you want to study in the UK but you cannot afford to pay for all the costs, there are programs for you.
Individually, some UK schools have full sponsorship programs for students who can’t fund their academics, but some programs are from the UK government, and they come with full sponsorship as well.
There are programs like:
- Chevening – https://www.chevening.org
- Commonwealth Sponsorship – https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
- GREAT Sponsorship (South Africa) – https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org
- Scotland’s Saltire Sponsorship – https://www.scotland.org/study/saltire-scholarships
- UKRI International Doctoral Sponsorship – https://www.ukri.org
You can go for any of these programs or search for more available options if you are not open to the ones here.
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UK charity and religious worker visa sponsorship
Another program that comes with full visa sponsorship that can help you move to the UK from South Africa is the “charity and religious worker visa sponsorship program”.
Some UK charities and religious organisations (backed by the UK Government) sponsor visas for volunteers and workers.
If you migrate to the UK through this program, you will be under the organisation that brought you to the UK, they will take care of you and handle your needs.
In addition, they take care of all the costs, including your visa and even your housing.
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Global talent visa program
If you are recognised as a potential leader or a leader in any field like science, engineering, humanities, or digital technology, this is for you.
Here, you don’t need any job offer, but you must be endorsed by a recognised UK body as a leader or emerging leader.
More information about this here: Global Talent Visa.
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Minister of religion visa (T2)
This one is good for you if you want to be part of a faith community in the UK.
Get more information on this here: Minister of Religion Visa
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Graduate visa and internship sponsorship
This one is for recent graduates in South Africa who want to further their studies in the UK.
If you recently graduated from a university in South Africa and want to go for graduate programs, you can apply for graduate trainee programs or internships in the UK.
Many UK companies sponsor international graduates and even help them transition into full-time employment.
Now that you know the sponsorship programs and how they work. Plus, you have also seen the requirements to migrate to the UK from South Africa (we discussed them at the beginning of this guide), it’s time to talk about how to migrate.
How can you successfully join the people who are relocating from South Africa to the UK
Only you can make your relocation to the UK possible, and frankly, you just need to do a little work.
The steps below explain everything.
Step 1: Pick a program that you qualify for
The little work you have to do is to check the programs we have listed here and know the ones that you qualify for, or search for a program you are interested in.
For example, if I want to move to the UK for studies, I will search for visa sponsorship programs that sponsor students.
If you do not qualify for a program, there is no need to go for that program, it won’t work for you.
Step 2: Get all the requirements for that particular program
Every program here has specific requirements. We shared links to each program where you can get the requirements for the program you have picked.
Check the program requirements and make sure you have everything listed there.
Step 3: Apply and wait for approval
Nobody will grant you approval if you don’t apply. When you check everything about a particular program and you qualify for it, that is, if you meet the requirements for the program you have chosen, then you should apply for it.
Apply, and when approved (of course, the approval rate is high because the two countries have a good relationship), you will then move to the UK at no cost – all expenses paid.
If you are wondering how you will handle your flight and everything, the sponsoring agents will handle that immediately after your application is approved.
You will get the confirmation via email – ensure you use an active email address when submitting your application.
Can South Africans get British citizenship?
Yes, but it depends on your visa and how long you have lived in the UK. For example, if you are on a skilled worker visa or an Ancestry visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 to 10 years in the UK.
Then, after 1 year of ILR, you can apply for British citizenship. Then, if you are on a spouse visa, you can apply for citizenship after 5 years of residency.
If you want to join other South Africans immigrating to the UK during this period, then check any of the UK visa sponsorship programs we listed above and pick the ones you qualify for.
When you find the one you qualify for, go through the requirements and start your application.
If you need help, you can work with a UK immigration agent here in South Africa, or you can click the “Begin your application” button below and fill out the form that will show, so we can help you start the process by ourselves.