How easy is it to emmigrate to South Africa ?

Question

I am a New Zealander, I have a Masters of Social Work. I have previous experience doing Child Protection Social Work and I'm currently managing HIV Programs in Fiji. My fiance (soon to be Husband) is Fijian and a soldier, he's been in the Fijian Army for six years. We are both 26. We have one four year old and one on the way. I want to live and work with a country which has Aid job available, but also has a nice lifestyle, and South Africa looks amazing. How hard would it be for us to emmigrate there ? What kind of money could we earn, me doing social work management and him doing security ? Would the immigration process be tough ?

Answer 1

It is very difficult, long slow process with plenty of paperwork.

Best to contact an immigration lawyer to help you out. As mentioned you will need a job offer or be willing to purchase a business of sorts.

Answer 2

Wow, i can't believe that there is a new zealander wanting to immigrate to SA.  Alll of us SA'icans are trying to emigrate to your country!!!

Sorry can't answer your question

Answer 3

Hi. I personally do not know the answer to your question so I wrote to a friend of mine who might be interested in helping you.

Her answer is in quotes. I have only changed the pronoun from third person to second person.

"I emigrated in 1985, the rules have been amended since then.  Having said that, there is a demand for professionals, you might be able to get assistance from the programme I am working on  which is a University of the Witswatersrand,

Wits Health Consortium. It is a USAID funded program with a focus on the Prevention of Mother To Child Transfer (PMTCT). The Programmes name is ECHO which stands for Enhancing Children's HIV Outcomes.  So far we are in 3 provinces, Gauteng, Limpopo and Northwest.  It would probably be easier to come to the latter two.  You could fax your CV to Ms Gillian Hamilton at 27 (11) 484 4144.  A major stumbling block for you would be language.  Since most if not all those requiring counselling are speaking languages other than English, it could be problematic."

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Hi, its really quite hard! I did it a couple of years ago. Firstly you MUST be skilled - SA has many unemployed Un-Skilled and Semi-Skilled workers. I am a CA and it was difficult for me, I moved from the UK.

It also helped that I spoke Zulu and had some business Acumen, they love business people! I trained as a Safari Guide ONLY after I got residency, otherwise I would never have got a permit!