According to the report,\u00a0net migration dropped by 248,000 in 2016, down 84,000 from 2015.\u00a0The data shows that the majority of this drop is due to European citizens deciding to return to their home countries in the wake of Brexit.<\/p>\n
It also found that going forward, the UK’s economy would have to adapt with the sudden job vacuum as well as dealing with a sudden skills shortage.<\/p>\n
While this may leave the door open for South Africans looking to emigrate to fill this gap, there are a number of other factors to consider, according to emigration consultants.<\/p>\n
\n
South Africans looking to emigrate<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/UK-flag.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSpeaking to BusinessTech,\u00a0JP Breytenbach, Director of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants, highlighted that the South Africans most likely to be affected by the Brexit decision are those who are currently eligible through a EU or UK background.<\/p>\n
“South African citizens are likely to be mostly affected by the UK’s decision to leave the EU if they are family members of EU nationals, as it will no\u00a0longer be possible to benefit from the more favourable regime provided by the EU law,” said\u00a0Breytenbach<\/p>\n
“As per above, once the UK formally leaves the European Union, EU nationals (including dual SA\/EU nationals) may be required to apply for a visa under the UK domestic immigration legislation (e.g. for a work permit).”<\/p>\n
“It is unclear, at this stage, whether the UK government will introduce some new visa categories or whether the existing immigration categories will be used for these new applications.”<\/p>\n
\nIncreased migration and job opportunities for South Africans<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Jobless](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Jobless-unemployment.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhile the increased migration will undoubtedly leave vacancies, Breytenbach warned that this didn’t necessarily translate to automatic job opportunities for South Africans looking to emigrate.<\/p>\n
“Potentially, the departure of EU nationals from the UK could provide opportunities for South African to emigrate and find employment in the U.K,” he said.<\/em><\/p>\n“However, this will depend on the UK government policy as they had previously maintained that they will reduce net migration.”<\/p>\n
\nWhat’s happening right now?<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/SA-Passport.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n“Regarding the downgrade and recession in South Africa. Yes, we have experienced an increase in the number of queries received,” said Breytenbach.<\/p>\n
“We have (also) definitely seen an in increase in the number of queries received from SA nationals and their family members who are here under the EU regulations, who are worried about their status in the UK after the Brexit.”<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nSpeaking to BusinessTech,\u00a0JP Breytenbach, Director of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants, highlighted that the South Africans most likely to be affected by the Brexit decision are those who are currently eligible through a EU or UK background.<\/p>\n
“South African citizens are likely to be mostly affected by the UK’s decision to leave the EU if they are family members of EU nationals, as it will no\u00a0longer be possible to benefit from the more favourable regime provided by the EU law,” said\u00a0Breytenbach<\/p>\n
“As per above, once the UK formally leaves the European Union, EU nationals (including dual SA\/EU nationals) may be required to apply for a visa under the UK domestic immigration legislation (e.g. for a work permit).”<\/p>\n
“It is unclear, at this stage, whether the UK government will introduce some new visa categories or whether the existing immigration categories will be used for these new applications.”<\/p>\n
\n
Increased migration and job opportunities for South Africans<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/a><\/p>\nWhile the increased migration will undoubtedly leave vacancies, Breytenbach warned that this didn’t necessarily translate to automatic job opportunities for South Africans looking to emigrate.<\/p>\n
“Potentially, the departure of EU nationals from the UK could provide opportunities for South African to emigrate and find employment in the U.K,” he said.<\/em><\/p>\n“However, this will depend on the UK government policy as they had previously maintained that they will reduce net migration.”<\/p>\n
\nWhat’s happening right now?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/a><\/p>\n“Regarding the downgrade and recession in South Africa. Yes, we have experienced an increase in the number of queries received,” said Breytenbach.<\/p>\n
“We have (also) definitely seen an in increase in the number of queries received from SA nationals and their family members who are here under the EU regulations, who are worried about their status in the UK after the Brexit.”<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWhile the increased migration will undoubtedly leave vacancies, Breytenbach warned that this didn’t necessarily translate to automatic job opportunities for South Africans looking to emigrate.<\/p>\n
“Potentially, the departure of EU nationals from the UK could provide opportunities for South African to emigrate and find employment in the U.K,” he said.<\/em><\/p>\n “However, this will depend on the UK government policy as they had previously maintained that they will reduce net migration.”<\/p>\n “Regarding the downgrade and recession in South Africa. Yes, we have experienced an increase in the number of queries received,” said Breytenbach.<\/p>\n “We have (also) definitely seen an in increase in the number of queries received from SA nationals and their family members who are here under the EU regulations, who are worried about their status in the UK after the Brexit.”<\/p>\n
\nWhat’s happening right now?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n