How much money do you need to emigrate to the UK?
If you’ve decided you want to make the plunge and move to the UK from South Africa, it’s incredibly important to ensure you budget correctly. Undertaking good research and an all-important Excel spreadsheet can really help. Read on for our round-up of the main financial considerations you need to make a move from South Africa to the UK.
Contact our team today for tailored advice on 0333 305 9375. We can provide advice remotely both online and over the phone at a time to suit you.
So you’ve decided on the UK as your destination to move to, and you’re certainly not alone. According to recent research done by networking website LinkedIn showed an increase in numbers of South African nationals emigrating to the country. Currently, around 229,000 South Africans reside in the UK.
The first thing to consider is which visa you will be applying to and how much this could cost.
Visa costs
As an overseas national, of course you must make a visa application with the UK Home Office. Which one, and therefore how much money it may cost, all depends on your individual circumstances.
You will need to budget for the following:
- The application costs for each visa
- Immigration health surcharge – payable by each person from overseas living in the UK on a visa
- Savings – for certain visas you will need to prove you have the required money in your bank account to apply. This shows you can support yourself in the UK
- Document translations if any of your documents are not in English or Welsh
- English language test – depending on the visa category, these cost approximately £150 to book at a registered centre
Example visa costs – Skilled Worker visa
Let’s take a look at one visa route in detail as an example of the kinds of costs you could incur. The Skilled Worker visa is popular with South African nationals who have received a job offer from a licensed UK institution that can sponsor overseas workers.
So, with a Skilled Worker visa application, you’ll need to have enough money to pay for:
- Application fee
- If your job is on the shortage occupation list, leave for up to three years costs £628 or £1,235 for over three years
- Applying for up to three years from South Africa – £819
- Applying for over three years from South Africa – £1,618
- Healthcare surcharge – £1035 each year you are in the UK
- Money to support yourself – at least £1,270 in your bank account
- Biometric information (photographs and fingerprints) to be taken at a visa centre – £19.20
- SELT or Secure English Language Test – approx. £150
The money must have been in your account for at least 28 days in a row, within a month of applying for the visa. You must be able to prove this, unless you’re already in the UK or your employer has proof they can support you instead.
How much it costs for a partner and children
The same visa costs above apply per person if you are planning on bringing your family with you on your visa application. You will also need more money available in your bank account to also support your dependants as well as yourself.
As well as the £1,270 available, you will need an extra £285 for your partner, £315 for one child and £200 for each additional child available.
Other emigration costs to consider
- Flights and other travel costs to get to the UK – you’ll also need to ensure you have travel documents as documentary proof when you make your visa application
- Transports to get to and from the airport – this could include trains, buses or taxis and public transport costs in the UK can really add up. Airports are most often situated outside the centres of cities, so ensuring you have money for transport is a real must.
- Insurance – Travel insurance is definitely a must when in the UK
- Extra money to support yourself while you find work
- Accommodation and rental costs – you will most likely need the first months rent and deposit to pay upfront no matter where you rent, but the overall monthly costs can vary widely depending on the area you live
Living costs
Having enough to cover your daily living costs really depends on your lifestyle and what you want to get up to once you’re in the UK. You can certainly shop cheaply in many UK supermarkets for groceries, but again it can depend on where you are living. If you’re moving to the heart of London, you could be paying over 50% more for restaurant meals and consumer goods than in the South African capital. This is certainly something to bear in mind when budgeting!
Contact the Immigration Advice Service
Though making a visa application is undoubtedly an expensive process, it is highly recommended that you work with a reliable and professional immigration advice firm to ensure you get the best value for your money. Why spend more on a rejected application over a tiny error, when one of our immigration lawyers can support you through the entire process and ensure your application is completed to the highest standards the first time.
We can work remotely with clients and set up appointments at times to suit your busy lifestyle.
Contact our client care team to set up an appointment on 0333 305 9375.
