I am so depressed about this whole emigrating from UK to SA thing! I have been told by the SA Embassy in London that my husband's Permanent resident permit can take up to 18 months to process and before even phoning to make an appointment with them to approve his application we have to obtain the chest xray, doctors report and police clearance. This is after phaffing about and great expenditure getting apostille stamps on our wedding cert and processing my SA Passport renewal application (which I was initially told we could do this application with my husband's PR premit application then subsequently told that we have to do a separate application as passport office doesn't allow appointments to be made - you have to sit and wait which isn't good with a 6 month old and 18 month old childminded children) We have had his CV posted on websites and sent to goodness knows how many recruitment consultants (Chartered Mechanical Engineer and Prince2 Programme manager so not underqualified or underskilled) and there hasn't been a glimmer of interest from anyone. Friends in SA who were so pushy about us coming back to Cape Town and promised to help have subsequently dropped off the face of the earth and the private school I wanted to send my daughter to wants a R36,000 deposit before we even set foot in the door!!!!!! Really beginning to think that this perhaps was not the wisest decision to make and it is really depressing to think I may never be able to come home to Cape Town. Has anyone reading this done the move within a year and not felt at some point that it was going to be futile.... really love to hear some experiences (with happy endings!) please.
Is it worth it?
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I haven't had exactly the same experience as we are only here for 2-5 years for my boyfriends work so not really had to deal with as much drama as you.
I think that only you know the answer to your question though. It depends on your motivation for leaving the UK and moving here. Will you have a better quality of life? Will you have more friends and family around? Will you be leaving a lot behind?
I think that you must have thought it worth it to consider it in the first place. Once you have jumped through all of the hoops and are settled you will forget all the stress and just enjoy life in one of the most beautiful places in the World!
The work thing is hard - it depends on your husbands skills and what he works as because some of us are struggling to find work, and other friends of mine walked straight into a job and are being sponsored re visa.
Good luck with everything, and don't lose heart if you think that you are doing the right thing. I gave up a hell of a lot to leave London, and I gained other things instead whilst I am here. I wish that life was as easy as it was when we had more money as both were working, but I love the new experiences I am lucky enough to gain now
I hope it all works out
I think that only you know the answer to your question though. It depends on your motivation for leaving the UK and moving here. Will you have a better quality of life? Will you have more friends and family around? Will you be leaving a lot behind?
I think that you must have thought it worth it to consider it in the first place. Once you have jumped through all of the hoops and are settled you will forget all the stress and just enjoy life in one of the most beautiful places in the World!
The work thing is hard - it depends on your husbands skills and what he works as because some of us are struggling to find work, and other friends of mine walked straight into a job and are being sponsored re visa.
Good luck with everything, and don't lose heart if you think that you are doing the right thing. I gave up a hell of a lot to leave London, and I gained other things instead whilst I am here. I wish that life was as easy as it was when we had more money as both were working, but I love the new experiences I am lucky enough to gain now
I hope it all works out
Well we are hoping to go permanently but it would depend on my husband getting a job. intention was to get the permanent resident permit and my daughters SA Passport (born in UK so only UK passport at moment) here in UK then go over on a one way ticket.:ranger:
Thanks Martina - definitely hoping for a better quality of life in SA as my daughter is very sporty and it would be so much nicer for her to have the outdoor life that she would have in Cape Town. Husband has no quality of life in UK and just works. He is into running and sailing so be better off in Cape Town too. I have a good life in UK as I am a childminder which is lucrative here but probably not so in SA. If I return to SA I would probably need to get back into insurance broking which doesn't pay all that well. Also be hard to adjust to working during school holidays and not be off with my daughter as unlikely to get as much leave in SA as I do here. Lots of pros and cons to weigh up and you are quite right that at the end of the day its my decision to make and a very hard one at that too - so much easier when I came to UK 15 years ago with just myself to worry about - no job and only 1 friend here but still it was less daunting than the prospect of moving with a child.
Thanks for your reply and really glad that you are happy in SA. Bet you are not missing the UK weather.
Go to Oz.
Had considered that Daxk but a) we have no family there at all and b) the thought of moving somewhere and starting again is quite horrific to be honest. Happy to go to Cape Town as family and friends there or stay put as friends here but couldn't face a new place without knowing anyone. Neither of us have any contacts or reason to be in Oz so unlikely to get sponsorship etc. Thanks for your reply though.
You know, I think your doubts are born from all the hassles you are having at the moment. The permit/passport road is a long difficult road to travel and especially when you are at the beginning of it it feels like a huge mountain to climb. BUT, try to look beyond this. Once your permits and passports are sorted out then how will you feel? Will you value being back in the country of your birth? Will you love having your family and friends around? Will you appreciate the weather and the ability to be outside for most of the year? Will the pros of coming home outweigh issues such as crime, high school fees and idiotic politics? In your posts it sounds like you want to come home and if so then there is your answer. It is difficult applying for jobs from abroad and I think you will find it much easier once you are here. Yes it is a bit of a gamble but most of the people that I know (skilled professionals) have not had any problems finding work. AND if it does not work out then so be it, at least you tried and you will never be left wondering how life would have been had you returned home. We love love love it here and have not regretted the move ever despite all the [email protected] you have to put up with when it comes to Home Affairs etc.
and risk bumping into you know who. That would be a disaster.
Thanks Saartjie - that is encouraging and quite right. Feeling a bit more positive today so ready to get cracking again.
That's the spirit! Let me know if you need any help in your application process (fights with Home Affairs). I am happy to help :boxing:Thanks Saartjie - that is encouraging and quite right. Feeling a bit more positive today so ready to get cracking again.
I'm Lost??:confused2: I dont live in OZ?and risk bumping into you know who. That would be a disaster.
Thanks. Will do.
I know that. You're the Irish Rover
. I was talking about someone else on this forum.The Happy HaloI know that. You're the Irish Rover
Correct! :clap2:The Happy Halo
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The Fantasy................. Enjoy. Perhaps Carmen Electra will visit too.
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