South African citizens need a visa and a valid passport to enter the UK. However, the UK immigration authorities have the power to restrict the entry of South Africans if they do not comply with all the regulations. If you move to the UK from South Africa, we suggest you get in touch with one of our UK immigration lawyers and ask for assistance and legal advice.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa required for relocation to the UK (YES/NO) | YES |
|
Available types of visas |
– tourist visa, – spouse visa, – student visa, – skilled worker visa, etc. |
|
Authority in charge of visas |
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) |
| UK residence requirements |
– health insurance, – valid passport, – financial proof, – domicile, – registration with the local authorities, etc. Our London immigration lawyers can help you apply for residency in the UK. |
| Application can be done with |
Visa Application Centre for South Africa (Cape Town), UK Embassy in Pretoria. Our immigration lawyers can provide legal advice at the time of application. |
| Is UK ancestry visa available for South Africans? (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Validity of UK ancestry visa |
5 years |
| Conditions to work in the UK as a South African citizen |
Obtaining a work visa if a job has been offered on the shortage occupation list, with not enough British workers available |
| Skilled Worker visa requirements |
– English language skills, – a clear criminal record, – accommodation, sufficient funds to sustain living, etc. |
| Joining your partner in the UK from South Africa | With a spouse or partner visa |
| Other requirements for UK immigration |
Tuberculosis test (TB) |
| Programs specific for South Africans(YES/NO) |
YES |
| Number of South Africans living in the UK (approx.) |
More than 200,000 |
| Optimal cities for relocation |
– London, – Manchester, – Birmingham, – Liverpool |
| Working with our UK immigration lawyers | We assist citizens from South Africa to relocate to the UK by managing the formalities and procedures for visas, residency, work, etc. |
Table of Contents
Entry requirements for South Africans
A single UK visa is needed for citizens from South Africa to enter the UK in legal terms. The type of visa will depend on the purpose of the visit or stay. Here are a few visa examples you need to consider if you want to immigrate to the UK from South Africa:
- Temporary work visas are valid for less than 6 months. A work contract is required.
- A skilled work visa allows you to stay in the UK for more than just 6 months.
- A study visa is required for South Africans who attend courses in the UK, and it has a validity of more than 6 months.
- A family visa is needed for South African citizens who want to join family members.
- A marriage visitor visa is needed for getting married or entering a civil partnership in the UK.
Applying for a visa if you want to relocate to the UK from South Africa means respecting a few important conditions, like proving you have enough money for the entire stay, a valid passport, a letter of acceptance issued by a British college, or a sponsorship contract if you accepted a job in this country. The entire immigration requirements can be discussed with one of our immigration solicitors in London. Our qualified immigration lawyer can assist you in understanding these requirements so that you do not have any problems in the future. So, if you are interested in relocation to the UK, the services of our immigration lawyers are at your disposal. You can also check the following infographic with details on this subject:
Do I need a tuberculosis test if I want to move to the UK from South Africa?
Yes, the UK authorities require the tuberculosis test before entering the UK. This is an important condition for South African citizens who intend to stay longer than 6 months in the United Kingdom. The tuberculosis test involves a chest X-ray and a sputum sample if the radiography is clear. We would like to add that the tuberculosis test needs to be taken during the visa application for the UK. Please bear in mind that the UK authorities are strict regarding the specific tests and immigration verifications, so make sure you benefit from complete legal advice from our London immigration lawyer when you decide to relocate to the UK from South Africa.
Ancestry visas for South Africans
South Africans having a UK heritage can be eligible for an ancestry visa. This kind of visa can be obtained by South African citizens who prove their grandparents were born in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands. The application for an ancestry visa for the UK is available for South African citizens of 17 years or older who intend to work and live in the UK. Plus, they need to prove they have sufficient funds to live in the UK. One should note that Indefinite Leave to Remain status can be obtained after living 5 years in the UK without interruptions. Please feel free to talk to our immigration lawyer if you want to know more about the ancestry visa, if you want to move to the UK from South Africa.
Relocating the business to the UK from South Africa
Entrepreneurs from South Africa can easily relocate their companies to the UK, concerning a few important steps in this direction. The relocation process of a South African company starts with the deregistration of the firm, based on a declaration stating the process. Such a declaration is normally signed by the business owners, the managers, and the administrators of the firm. The entire process to relocate from South Africa to the UK can be overseen by one of our UK immigration lawyers with experience in this field.
Applying for residency by investment in the UK
If you want to relocate to the UK from South Africa and apply for an investor visa, these are the main requirements:
- GBP 2 million is the minimum investment required.
- investments can be made in share/loan capital, government bonds, companies, etc.
- applicants must provide proof of the source of the investment. The amount required for residency by investments in the UK must be deposited in a local bank account.
- residency by investment in the UK does not imply an English language requirement.
- an investment of GBP 2 million offers the possibility of obtaining Indefinite Leave to remain after 5 years of living in the UK.
- permanent residency in the UK can be obtained in 2 years, with investments of GBP 10 million.
It is important to note that people who have permanent residency in the UK, after the above investments, can also apply for British citizenship. This is possible after 12 months with a permanent residence permit in the UK. Comprehensive information about the investments that can be made and the advantages obtained by South African citizens can be found by contacting our UK immigration lawyers.
Becoming a UK citizen with dedicated programs
Those wanting to immigrate to the UK from South Africa and are interested in citizenship may apply for an investor visa first. This is the first step in obtaining British citizenship, as there is no direct route to gain this status. The Innovator Founder Visa is also a handy option, with investments of GBP 50,000 in an innovative business in the UK. This visa also allows the introduction of family members into the program. After 3 years with this visa, foreigners residing in the UK can begin the process of obtaining citizenship in the UK. We invite you to find out all the details and legal aspects from our immigration lawyers in London.
Why immigrate to the UK
Many reasons stand at the base of immigrating to the UK. Most immigrants who decide to take this step are looking for better living conditions, proper education and healthcare systems, and many possibilities in the work field. Plus, there are many opportunities for South African citizens who want to study in the UK and attend prestigious colleges. The history, the culture, and the ease of integrating into communities are other important considerations attentively measured by foreigners interested in immigrating to the UK.
Latest UK immigration statistics
Here are some facts and figures about immigration to the UK:
- around 948,000 people migrated to the UK in 2024.
- around 192,000 work visas were issued in the UK in 2024, while 76,000 were family-related visas.
- immigrants make up approximately 9% of the UK population.
- at the end of 2023, there were approximately 11.4 million non-UK-born citizens in the UK.
- since the introduction of the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) scheme, around 5.4 million such authorizations have been granted (October 20023-April 2025).
Do you want to immigrate to the UK from South Africa? We invite you to contact our team of immigration solicitors in London and ask for legal assistance. We are at your disposal if you want to know more about immigration rules after Brexit.
