South Africa Expat Forum

kolya888
Joined 2013
Posts: 3

10 years ago

Moving in February/March 2014 - advice please

10 years ago

Hello everyone, I'm new here.

I am a UK resident with a British and a Greek passport, and have been aiming to leave the UK for good for some time now. It has come to that time due to work options changing/decreasing here in London, as well as wanting a better way of life. I visited SA in 1995 for 2 months as my father is married to a SA woman, and I have a few friends there, so it is an attractive and from what I remember, beautiful country to move to. But, I know about Affirmative Action, as well as understanding that to move to ANY country from new is not instant and made too easy.

The issues I'd like some advice on are to do with a long enough work/residency permit to facilitate an eventual move for good for me, permitting obviously that I still love the country. I am planning on going the last week of February/first week of March 2014, with approximately £7500 in cash. It has been suggested I actually go NOW as the work opportunities wain in the new-year period!!

I am with quite a lot of eductaion and skills, I'm a very young and fit 43 year old male, single, no kids. My education includes a degree in Architecture (12 years experience), Masters degree in Audio production (a lot of varied experience in the field), many other skills and qualifications including 3 years as an Autistic Support worker, but I actually want to go to SA and see what pother options I might have, rather than aim for one particular job or do what I have done in the UK in SA. Is this not the best approach or is it a good one in peoples eyes?

I have noticed the new "quota work permit" includes 1000 archiectural technicians, which I could aim for, but I don't want to be tied into this as I have become less and less interested in that field as time goes on. I might be able to apply for an "exceptional skills" permit but I have not investigated that fully yet.

Should I not be picky, or go there with this work in mind and see what happens? I have a very good friend who owns a cafe in Hermanus whom I worked with in cafes here in London years ago, she said she may be able to help out, but I don't want to rely on her, as helpful as I know she might be. I also have other options (offer of helping out/employment in a game reserve in northern SA - I want to go with new opportunities and an open mind).

If anyone has any ideas please, I would appreciate comments that are honest. I understand I should be making my application very soon for a work/other permit, hence my questions.

Kindest, K

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