Settlement visa applications can be complicated and stressful.<\/p>\n
Move Up said that South Africans must also consider the risk of handling the application yourself or if you\u2019ll use an experienced immigration agency to apply on your behalf.<\/p>\n
The below prices show what you can expect to pay and include the main visa applicant and include agency fees, UK government fees, National Health Service fees and courier costs.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Ancestral Visa:<\/strong> R57,963<\/li>\n
- Tier 2 General<\/strong>: R84,533<\/li>\n
- Entrepreneur Visa:<\/strong> R84,428<\/li>\n
- Tier 1 Innovator<\/strong>: R80,111<\/li>\n
- UK Settlement Visa:<\/strong> R71,231<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nProof of savings and NHI<\/strong><\/p>\n
For most settlement visas the applicant is required to show they have a certain amount of savings in their bank account. The amount varies depending on which visa you are granted, but usually ranges from R30,000 to R1,700,000.<\/p>\n
Some settlement visas also require you to pay your National Health Insurance (NHI) fees upfront.<\/p>\n
That amounts to approximately R41,000\u00a0per applicant and is usually paid along with your visa application fees.<\/p>\n
\nTB tests<\/strong><\/p>\n
Applications for visas that allow you to stay in the UK for more than six months require a TB test that must be undertaken at a specified test centre in South Africa.<\/p>\n
The TB test costs approximately R1,800 per adult and half that for children 11 years old or younger.\u00a0 The certificate of results must be submitted with your visa application.<\/p>\n
\nFlights<\/strong><\/p>\n
The next big-ticket item is air travel.\u00a0 Booking tickets as early as possible and choosing non-peak flights during a low-season period is the best way to save money on flights.<\/p>\n
A one-way economy class ticket with one stop in Dubai from Cape Town to London will cost\u00a0approximately R5,500\u00a0for one traveller.<\/p>\n
\nOverseas furniture removals\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Most families prefer to take their furniture and household goods to the UK with them, rather than selling them off before emigrating.<\/p>\n
The cost of sending your household items to the UK varies, depending on the size of the container you need to fit your possessions into.<\/p>\n
A medium size cube from\u00a0Seven Seas<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>costs approximately R12,000 on the South African side and \u00a3250 from the UK.<\/p>\n
\nPet relocation fees<\/strong><\/p>\n
The UK does allow you to bring your pets to the UK with you, but it can be expensive.<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s best to get a few quotes to compare, bringing your dog, cat or ferret can cost\u00a0up to R26,000.<\/p>\n
\nUK monthly expenses<\/strong><\/p>\n
Welcome news for South African expats is that buying cars in the UK is significantly cheaper than buying them in SA.<\/p>\n
While filling up a tank of petrol costs about fifty percent more in the UK, you can purchase a second-hand, older car for just a few hundred pounds, or a newer SUV for around\u00a0\u00a313,000.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Below is a breakdown of monthly costs for a husband, wife and their dog living in Newbury, West Berkshire in a 3-bedroom, semi-detached house \u2013 and a car they bought with cash in 2019.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- Tier 2 General<\/strong>: R84,533<\/li>\n
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