The easiest countries for South Africans to move to
While the immigration process can be difficult, several countries stand out as easier for South Africans to move to than others, including the UK, St Kitts and Nevis, and the US.
According to CS Global Partners, choosing the right country involves evaluating multiple factors to ensure a smooth transition and a better quality of life.
Safety, employment opportunities, cost of living, education, economic and political stability, healthcare, culture, and climate all play a crucial role in this decision-making process.
“Several reports indicate that South Africans often immigrate to countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, United States, New Zealand, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, and Portugal,” CS Global explained.
“For high-net-worth individuals from South Africa, Caribbean countries like St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica offer straightforward paths to citizenship via their Citizenship by Investment Programmes.”
One of the primary drivers of emigration is safety. In 2023, South Africa was ranked as the most dangerous country in Africa according to the crime index. This single factor leads many locals to seek safer environments overseas.
Employment prospects are another major factor, as South Africa faces high unemployment rates and relatively low wages. The current minimum hourly wage is R27.58, which is set to increase to R28.79 starting March 2025.
Because of this, many South Africans, especially those with in-demand skills, choose to go abroad in search of better employment opportunities.
The introduction of the National Health Insurance Act has prompted many South African healthcare professionals to say that they are strongly considering moving abroad.
This is a concerning trend, as the country already has a shortage of doctors, particularly in the public sector, which provides care to 85% of the population.
This could also push other people to consider immigrating to countries with better healthcare options available.
The cost of living is another concern that pushes some to leave the country.
A report by Numbeo, which contains the world’s largest database on costs of living, found that South Africa is the ninth most expensive African country to live in.
Therefore, some individuals look for countries with better quality of life but at a lower cost of living.
Education, economic and political stability, and the country’s high unemployment rate further influence migration decisions.
According to CS Global Partners, the following countries are the easiest for South Africans to emigrate to.
United Kingdom
“Many South Africans move to the UK as it offers a robust job market in diverse sectors, appealing to professionals seeking career advancement,” CS Global said.
“Additionally, the UK’s high standard of living, quality healthcare, and excellent educational institutions attract families looking for improved living conditions for their children.”
- Language: English
- Healthcare: The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is a publicly funded healthcare system. Around 1.1 million people are employed in the NHS, making it one of the largest employers globally. NHS services are free for UK residents.
- Residency or citizenship: South Africans can acquire several types of visas, such as working visas, student visas, or family visas. One of the main benefits of moving to the UK is that after 5 years, you receive a permanent residency, and after six years, you receive citizenship.
- Cost and process: The fees differ according to the type of visa that one needs to apply for. A working visa, for example, starts from £610 (R14,005). The complete process comprises the visa application, biometric assessment and, in some cases, an English proficiency test.
- Exchange rate – 1 GBP : 22.96 ZAR
Australia
CS Global said Australia is among the most preferred destinations for immigrants, including South Africans, as it offers a high standard of living, a quality education system and vibrant cultural diversity.
“The labour market is another factor that makes the country an attractive choice because its economy is prominent, and employers seek professionals in their companies,” the organisation said.
- Language: English
- Healthcare: Australia has a mixed public-private healthcare system, in which the government health insurance (Medicare) offers free or concessionary charges to citizens, covering around 73% of medical costs.
- Residency or citizenship: There are various general visa options available, including skilled migration, family, and student visas. Permanent residency is an option after four years while citizenship is an option after a total of five years of residency in the country.
- Cost and process: Visa application fees start from AUD 4,115 (R47,625). The process involves a point-based system requiring a minimum of 65 points and typically takes 8 to 12 months.
- Exchange rate – 1 AUD : 11.57 ZAR
United States
“South Africans continue to consider the United States as a preferred country of choice due to diversity of culture, vibrant job opportunities as well as education facilities,” CS Global stated.
“Despite challenges in the overall immigration process, the opportunities that come along with the exercise make it worth it.”
- Language: English
- Healthcare: Predominantly private, with public insurance programmes such as Medicare and Medicaid covering about 30% of the population.
- Residency or citizenship: Includes work visas (e.g., H-1B), family visas, and business/investment visas. Permanent residency (Green Cards) can be obtained through employment, family connections, or the Diversity Visa Lottery. Citizenship can be applied for after five years of permanent residency.
- Cost and process: Non-immigrant visa fees start at $160 (R2,967), while Green Card application fees are approximately $1,140 (R21,140). The process involves biometric data collection, medical examinations, and interviews.
- Exchange rate – 1 USD : 18.54 ZAR
New Zealand
“New Zealand is best known for its excellent living standards, picturesque geographic features and hospitable people,” CS Global noted.
“It has become the perfect hub for South Africans who are in search of an environment that offers serenity, tranquillity, and most of all security with options for both work and better education.”
- Language: English, Maori
- Healthcare: The country’s universal healthcare system is funded by the government through taxes, with most services free or low-cost to residents.
- Residency or citizenship: New Zealand offers various visa options, including skilled migrant visas, work visas, and family visas. After purchasing property, a person becomes eligible to apply for permanent residency after 2 years, and after 5 years of holding permanent residency, the person becomes a citizen.
- Cost and process: The points-based visa, which costs NZD 2,530 (R26,303), includes a skills assessment, English language tests, and a medical examination.
- Exchange rate – 1 NZD : 10.40 ZAR
Canada
“Canada is a preferred destination for South Africans due to its welcoming atmosphere for all, highly developed economy, and excellent public services,” CS Global explained.
“The country has generally friendly immigration policies that make it easy for foreigners to establish their homes in Canada by following the established legal procedures.”
- Language: English, French
- Healthcare: Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system known as Medicare, which offers free healthcare services to the citizens.
- Residency or citizenship: Immigration to Canada has several options, namely the Express Entry Program, family sponsorship, and provincial nominee category. After passing the necessary exams, one can obtain permanent residency in 6-12 months, while citizenship takes 3 years after obtaining permanent residency in this country.
- Cost and process: Express Entry’s basic cost is CAD 1,325 (R17,139), which includes language tests, skills assessments, and medical examinations.
- Exchange rate – 1 CAD : 12.94 ZAR
Netherlands
“The Netherlands is a popular choice among South Africans due to its overall economic prosperity, high living wages, and excellent public services,” the organisation said.
“Its strategic location at the heart of Europe makes it an ideal base for those with travel plans within the region.”
- Language: Dutch; English widely spoken
- Healthcare: The Netherlands has a mixed public-private healthcare system. All residents are required to have basic health insurance, which covers most medical services.
- Residency or citizenship: There are a number of visa options available, such as highly skilled migrant visa, startup visa and family visa. The country provides permanent residence after five years of stay, after which one can apply for citizenship after seven years.
- Cost and process: Application costs range from EUR 320 (R6,137) onwards, and the process entails biometric and language tests and income assessments.
- Exchange rate – 1 EUR : 19.18 ZAR
Ireland
“South Africans choose Ireland for several reasons: the ease of doing business, the efficiency of the Irish economy, a vibrant cultural scene, and relatively smooth relations with the UK,” CS Global said.
“The country’s immigration policy is quite liberal, and the quality of life for migrants is also relatively high.”
- Language: English, Ireland (Gaelic)
- Healthcare: Ireland boasts a mixed format of public and private healthcare, with the publicly funded Health Service Executive (HSE).
- Residency or citizenship: There are different types of visas that an applicant can apply for, including work visas, student visas, and family visas, among others, for Ireland. After five years of residence, they may get permanent residency, and after eight years, they may apply for citizenship.
- Cost and process: The basic fee for a visa starts at EUR 300 (R5,754) and has features like income requirements, a biometric scan, and a language test.
- Exchange rate – 1 EUR : R19.18
Portugal
CS Global said Portugal has become a preferred destination for people from South Africa due to its affordability, favourable climate, and friendly population.
“The country offers one of the simplest pathways to obtaining residency and citizenship through its Golden Visa programme.”
- Language: Portuguese
- Healthcare: Portugal has a state-funded healthcare system that includes public sector healthcare, Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), which offers cost-free or inexpensive healthcare.
- Residency or citizenship: There are several types of visas in Portugal, including the Golden Visa for investors wishing to acquire residency in the country in a short time, which can be attainable after five years, but citizenship after six years.
- Cost and process: The Golden Visa programme starts at EUR 280,000 (R5.37 million), and the procedure involves purchasing property, legal costs, and biometric tests.
- Citizenship by investment: This is a new solution for the high-net-worth. These programmes provide an efficient and straightforward pathway to attain citizenship, usually through a stake in real estate or government bonds.
- Exchange rate – 1 EUR : R19.18
Dominica & St. Kitts and Nevis
CS Global explained that these two countries are well suited for investment due to their low cost of living, political stability, and good standard of living.
“Dominica stands out as one of the most cost-effective options globally, with its CBI programme starting from $200,000 (R3,71 million) for a single applicant.”
Dominica has about 72,000 residents and enjoys a stable tropical climate with temperatures between 24°C and 30°C. The island is safe, has a low crime rate, and focuses on eco-tourism to attract environmentally conscious investors.
Its education system includes several primary and secondary schools, with ongoing investments in resources to support its growing population.
St. Kitts and Nevis also offers an attractive CBI option starting at $250,000 (R4.64 million) for individuals. The program provides lifelong citizenship and enhanced global mobility.
The country features a stable political environment and a warm tropical climate and is known for its beautiful beaches and high standard of living, making it an attractive destination for investors seeking stability.
Comments