Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of South Africans emigrating to other countries. Some of the most popular reasons behind the increased emigration include currency volatility, inadequate safety and security, education standards, and political and social instability. Which is the easiest country to move to from South Africa?
There are currently close to a million South Africans living in other countries. The terms under which these people live in the said countries include pensioner's visas, work permits, permanent residencies, and dual citizenship, among others.
Easiest country to move to from South Africa in 2023
Where can South Africans immigrate to? Here is a look at the top 15 easiest countries to immigrate to from South Africa.
15. New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the safest and most peaceful places to live. The country provides its citizens with affordable and high-quality education and the opportunity to participate in various healthy sports, recreation, and adventure activities.
Applying for one of New Zealand's work visas is the simplest way to relocate there. The unemployment rate is low, and you should have no trouble finding work if you meet the requirements. Student visas are also available for South African students studying in New Zealand.
14. Germany
Germany has numerous visa programs that attract immigrants from all over the world, and some even offer expedited processing, which is always appreciated in any immigration matter.
Like other immigrant-friendly countries, Germany prioritizes skilled professionals and has numerous immigration programs designed specifically for that purpose. There are several ways to immigrate to Germany, including employment, education, business, family reunions, and residence permits.
13. Singapore
Singapore is a global financial centre and one of the best places to live globally. Moving to Singapore will provide you with new and exciting opportunities. If you intend to stay in the country for more than 90 days, you must apply for a long-stay visa that is appropriate for your purpose.
Singapore provides various types of long-stay visas depending on the reason for your relocation. You may be eligible for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP), a long-term visa with specific requirements based on the type of visa obtained, such as family reunification or work.
12. Denmark
It is important for South Africans who want to immigrate to Denmark to obtain the appropriate visa to enter the country. A long-term visa application is required to visit, work, or reunite with relatives in Denmark.
Aside from that, South African citizens may be eligible for a visa designed for people with special skills or qualifications, such as an athlete, specialized chefs, or artists.
11. Mexico
Mexico is one of the world's hard-working countries, with a growing economy, low living costs, a high quality of life, and excellent healthcare. The process of becoming a permanent resident is straightforward. You should know that there are two types of permits available: immigrant and non-immigrant.
An immigrant permit is intended for South Africans planning to relocate to Mexico for long-term permanent residence. A non-immigrant permit, on the other hand, is for those who wish to move to Mexico for a specific purpose and intend to leave once their work is completed.
You can apply for a permanent residence visa in Mexico directly at the Mexican Embassy in South Africa.
10. Mauritius
Numerous South African retirees, investors, business owners, and workers are exchanging the uncertainties of modern-day South Africa for a safe, relaxed island existence in the world-famous tourist destination.
Mauritius' strong, diversified economy, remarkable security, picturesque landscape, and exceptional quality of life make it one of the best countries to immigrate to from South Africa.
One prominent upside to choosing Mauritius over many of the European destinations is its proximity to South Africa. The country is located close enough to South Africa for business professionals to travel to and fro regularly.
9. Canada
The Canadian government has accepted various immigrants to fill the positions of skilled workers. This has increased the number of South Africans emigrating to Canada.
Hence making Canada one of the easiest countries to immigrate to from South Africa, especially for people with technical skills. One has a better chance of obtaining permanent residency if they have work experience in Canada and meet the basic language requirement skills.
How much does it cost to immigrate to Canada? An estimated 15,500 CAD is required for a single applicant to immigrate to Canada. Couples would require approximately 21,000 CAD, while families with children would require between 25,000 and 30,000 CAD.
8. Panama
Panama is among the easiest countries to immigrate to from virtually any part of the world. Not only does it have the easiest immigration visas, but also on the list of US-friendly countries. Still, you will have to prove that you have a monthly income of a minimum of $1,000 to get a long-term retiree visa.
Citizens of any of the 50 "friendly" countries to Panama can move there with their immediate family and obtain a permanent residency visa faster than any other Panama visa.
To qualify, the friendly citizen must either purchase an existing business, establish a new one, or work in a professional capacity for a Panama professional services firm.
7. Portugal
Portugal is among the leading countries for South African individuals and families seeking residence in the European Union. It has also become a popular destination for emigrants from various countries in the past ten years or so.
The country is renowned for its stable political, economic, and social environment, good infrastructure, great climate, and clear, transparent tax rules.
The country's Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that accords qualified individuals and their families the full rights to live, study and work in Portugal.
One must invest at least €500,000 in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), purchase at least €500,000 in property in specific regions of Portugal, or transfer capital totalling €1.5 million to a Portuguese bank account in their name.
6. Ecuador
Home to the Galapagos Islands, this lesser-known country has one of the easiest immigration policies and would be worth considering if you are into touring the world. Besides the easy policies, it is also a world-famous romantic destination and probably among the best for retiring in.
The country uses the US dollar as its primary currency. One can apply for Ecuadorian citizenship after only 21 months of residence, making it one of the best places to immigrate to from South Africa.
5. Montenegro
Montenegro shares its borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Croatia, Kosovo, and Serbia. Most of Western Europe's key cities are situated less than 3 hours away from Montenegro's capital. The country derives its name from its signature picturesque black mountains.
The country's immigration department launched the Montenegro Citizenship by Investment Program in 2019, making it one of the relatively new ones in Asia and Europe.
The program requires one to give a €200,000 donation to the country's development fund. Besides this, Montenegro has relatively friendly immigration policies.
4. Namibia
Closer home, Namibia, is the cheapest country to immigrate to from South Africa. This is attributable to South Africa's relative currency strength compared to Namibia's.
The good news is that you do not require a visa when moving to Namibia from South Africa for visitation purposes if you have a valid passport for at least six months.
This is ideal if you first want to test the country's social, economic, and political environment. Namibia is among the best African countries for infrastructure development, making it attractive to capital investors.
3. The United States of America
The United States of America remains a popular destination for South Africans who are willing to emigrate. Many South Africans currently reside in the USA. Application for an immigration visa requires one to have a sponsor in the United States that will sign their papers.
The sponsor can be one's host family, a prospective employer, or a USA permanent resident. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as for green card holders and holders of particular in-demand skills.
2. Australia
Emigrating to Australia became popular in the 1990s, and the numbers have remained high, with close to 200,000 South Africans living in the country. Australia is one of the best countries to emigrate to from South Africa, offering a couple of residency options.
The charges for Australian visas vary, and you will have to check how much you need to pay during your application.
1. The United Kingdom
Which country is easiest to relocate to? The answer is the United Kingdom. The relationship between the UK and South Africa has always been cordial, with South Africans not being required to get a visa to the UK until 2009.
While the visa-free pass ended, South Africans continued to immigrate to the United Kingdom, with over 247,000 living there as of 2023. The UK's Residency by Investment Program is expensive and way beyond the reach of the average South African.
Luckily, there are other emigration programs one can pursue. These include the hugely popular UK Sole Representative Visa Program, which does not have a capital requirement. With this program, the applicant's spouse and dependent children can live, work, and study in the UK.
Where do most South Africans emigrate to?
Some of the top countries South Africans prefer to emigrate to are the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada.
What is the easiest country to get permanent residency?
Canada is widely regarded as the easiest country to immigrate to and obtain citizenship. The country has excellent educational programs and job opportunities.
Do I need to financially emigrate from South Africa?
Financial emigration from South Africa is not required. Still, it is recommended if you intend to leave the country permanently and want to ensure that you are no longer considered a South African tax resident.
Summary list of the easiest country to move to from South Africa
This guide has you covered if you have been looking for the easiest country to move to from South Africa. Emigrating from South Africa is not generally hard, owing to the country's relatively strong currency. The countries in this guide all have excellent economic, social, and political environments.
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