Is it worth it?

[susieusa]

Suggest your husband get a job first and be sponsored by a SA employer as that will ease the process. Also, depending on his career area he should check out the scare skills visas which will offer a quicker permanent residency route than normal means. However, since you are S African, doesn't he get to go in via you?

I recently left SA though I love it there because after 4 years of waiting for my work permit stamp from HA, I gave up and about R12-15,000 shorter. I hope things go better for you. I truly love SA.

[satori]

Susie - it's appalling that you went through so much thanks to HA! Hope you are settling into the US - do you plan to stay there longerterm?

Just thought I'd add a little to this thread. My husband was in Jo'burg last week and he said he could not believe his eyes how it has all changed! ( We left Jo'burg 16 years ago for the UK.) He feels many things are positive - he enjoyed the feel of the place, spoke to many people of all races. Said he felt that people are friendly and open no matter their race and there was lot's of healthy interaction.

Mind you, bear in mind he was in Sandton! Not to bump the positivity but he might have had a different view if somewhere else. Also this is based on a brief stay. Ever buffering the positivity I am ...

In any event he told me that business in the IT field seems to be very much on the up. Attended various meetings / conferences and was impressed by the innovative approaches taken by businesses there and said there are many exciting truly creative developments taking place. Says there are more jobs available than when we lived there and salaries are pretty much on par with the UK.

Then went to CT. He felt there were positive changes but it was not as evident as in Jo'burg. Says the job market in CT appears to be better than he had personally hoped for. It's early days and he is aware he may still be in the honeymoon vibe. But I felt better for hearing his insights about business, hopefully it bodes well for the future and for people who want to return.

Can't believe I will be there next week - omg - the packing is looming larger by the day!

I'll keep you all posted on my impressions once I have spent a little time there.

[WhenweB]

Originally Posted by satori

Susie - it's appalling that you went through so much thanks to HA! Hope you are settling into the US - do you plan to stay there longerterm?

Just thought I'd add a little to this thread. My husband was in Jo'burg last week and he said he could not believe his eyes how it has all changed! ( We left Jo'burg 16 years ago for the UK.) He feels many things are positive - he enjoyed the feel of the place, spoke to many people of all races. Said he felt that people are friendly and open no matter their race and there was lot's of healthy interaction.

Mind you, bear in mind he was in Sandton! Not to bump the positivity but he might have had a different view if somewhere else. Also this is based on a brief stay. Ever buffering the positivity I am ...

In any event he told me that business in the IT field seems to be very much on the up. Attended various meetings / conferences and was impressed by the innovative approaches taken by businesses there and said there are many exciting truly creative developments taking place. Says there are more jobs available than when we lived there and salaries are pretty much on par with the UK.

Then went to CT. He felt there were positive changes but it was not as evident as in Jo'burg. Says the job market in CT appears to be better than he had personally hoped for. It's early days and he is aware he may still be in the honeymoon vibe. But I felt better for hearing his insights about business, hopefully it bodes well for the future and for people who want to return.

Can't believe I will be there next week - omg - the packing is looming larger by the day!

I'll keep you all posted on my impressions once I have spent a little time there.

Oh I am pleased for you - I do hope it all goes according to plan and fabulous that your husband has found so many positive things to say about improvements in Jhb. When I lived in Jhb for a year it was in Braamfontein and believe me that probably is the opposite end of the spectrum of Sandton and certainly not somewhere I would want to revisit - ever! Cape Town on the other hand is certainly calling. Been to the SA Embassy in London today and was amazed by how helpful and friendly the personnel were. The guy doing my fingerprints was very friendly saying "yes of course we would want you back in SA and your husband" - lovely attitude. Now waiting for my passport and ID book then be applying for my husbands Perm Res permit. Keep you posted.

Looking forward to hearing how you get on. Good luck and happy packing!

[satori]

WhenweB so pleased you are making great progress sorting everything out. Really good to know you had a positive experience at the embassy - maybe the tide is truly turning now.

Holding out for you that it's not a long wait to get your passport, let us know how that goes.

What I find really great is how when I go through customs in CT for the past several years the officials there are so friendly such a change from the po-faced dour faces in many other countries I have visited. I always feel from the getgo I am back home!

We lived in Halfway House years ago - like you I have no desire to go back to Jo'burg really but I think that's based on the fact that all my family are in CT than anything else. Okay - maybe the Cape scenery too if I am deeply honest!

[baobab]

'WhenWeBe' Please let us know how you get on. I'm South African born with British parents and a British husband (and our 2 children, aged 5 and 4). We too are looking into emigrating to SA, with a view to settling near Hermanus. The whole visa application process and constant mind games is proving exceptionally challenging but it's a great comfort to see others in the same boat. I will update any progress we make (not promising any useful information!) but just wanted to say 'good luck' and keep us posted!

[WhenweB]

Originally Posted by baobab

'WhenWeBe' Please let us know how you get on. I'm South African born with British parents and a British husband (and our 2 children, aged 5 and 4). We too are looking into emigrating to SA, with a view to settling near Hermanus. The whole visa application process and constant mind games is proving exceptionally challenging but it's a great comfort to see others in the same boat. I will update any progress we make (not promising any useful information!) but just wanted to say 'good luck' and keep us posted!

Ah thank you - yes I will keep you posted. At the moment I have submitted my SA passport and ID renewal documents in my married name (you have to get an apostille stamp on your UK marriage certificate if you got married in UK and haven't registered your marriage in SA). I then have to phone to make an appointment for my husband and I to go into the consulate in London to apply for his permanent resident permit (which is better than the spousal visa as you need a work permit with a spousal visa whereas the permanent resident permit allows your hubby to live and work in SA for as long as he is married to you). Before we can make the appointment we have to obtain a chest xray, doctors report and CRB (police clearance) for my husband (not SA passport holders though so just on your husband). Must also apply for a passport for my 8 year old daughter and apparently she doesn't have to go into the embassy with me so that will be easier as didn't want to ask to take her out of school. SO LONG WAY to go still!!!! Hermanus is beautiful you will love it there. I think the hardest part of this whole moving thing is to actually make the decision to go as still "umming and aahing" over it. Will keep you posted. Good luck to you too.

[Daxk]

I'm sorry, there are times when I have to shake my head.

my timeline
54 years in SA
March 4 men with guns in my house
April , ID parade at Police Station
May, the 4 criminals are back on my Driveway on a Sunday morning, pointing at my 5 yer old daughter and making suggestive movements, message about my testimony is clear.
September 8, arrive in Ireland for LSD trip.
October, 4 Interviews, 3 job offers and one partnership offer.
leave early to start ball rolling in SA.
November 7th, arrive in Ireland
November 9th Start work
Jan 2005, Citizenship and Passport arrives.
and Ireland did not need another post middle-aged old fart who spoke with a funny accent and needed Sunlight.

[WhenweB]

Originally Posted by Daxk

I'm sorry, there are times when I have to shake my head.

my timeline
54 years in SA
March 4 men with guns in my house
April , ID parade at Police Station
May, the 4 criminals are back on my Driveway on a Sunday morning, pointing at my 5 yer old daughter and making suggestive movements, message about my testimony is clear.
September 8, arrive in Ireland for LSD trip.
October, 4 Interviews, 3 job offers and one partnership offer.
leave early to start ball rolling in SA.
November 7th, arrive in Ireland
November 9th Start work
Jan 2005, Citizenship and Passport arrives.
and Ireland did not need another post middle-aged old fart who spoke with a funny accent and needed Sunlight.

Oh shame that is an awful thing for your family to have gone through. Glad the move to Ireland was so easy though - don't think you would have been in the mood for any nonsense after that episode. See this is the type of incident which freaks me out about going to SA because here in UK I had the police coming around to take fingerprints when my car was broken into and the CD player taken - I was then offered counselling and a follow up call to check I was okay a couple of weeks later. Similarly though I had a friend in CT who had robbers breaking in to her home but the police and armed response were there within minutes with guns etc and she never saw them again thank goodness. Its all part of what is making this decision so hard because I would never ever forgive myself if I put my daughter into that sort of situation. Think I would be inclined to buy my own security guard to stand at the gate or I wouldn't sleep at night.... I hope your daughter is okay and over the trauma.

[Daxk]

Thank you, we still have issues regarding the nightmares as she was repeatedly told to keep quiet and not cry or her Mommy and Daddy would be killed.

[WhenweB]

Originally Posted by Daxk

Thank you, we still have issues regarding the nightmares as she was repeatedly told to keep quiet and not cry or her Mommy and Daddy would be killed.

Poor kid - horrific! Hope she is happy in Ireland. I couldn't imagine how I would cope with that - you did the right thing.