The UK is home to over 230,000 South Africans and the community keeps growing. The move is big but the admin is manageable if you know the sequence. Sort these things before you book the one-way ticket.
Documents to get before you leave
- Unabridged birth certificate — Needed for most visa applications. Allow 4-6 weeks from DHA. Apply at least 6 months early, DHA is notoriously slow.
- Unabridged marriage certificate — Required if sponsoring a spouse. Allow 4-6 weeks from DHA.
- SAQA qualification verification — Starting point for degree attestation. Apply at saqa.org.za. Allow 3-5 working days.
- Police clearance certificate — Required for some visa routes and many UK employers. Allow 3-6 weeks from SAPS.
- TB test certificate — Mandatory for all UK visa applications of 6 months or longer. Valid for 6 months from test date.
- Children's school transfer certificates — Get these in English. UK schools require them.
Start documents 6 months early. DHA processing has been known to take 3-4 months at peak times. Your TB test certificate is valid for only 6 months from test date, so time it carefully. Do not book flights or sign a shipping contract until your visa is approved.
SARS: sort your tax situation
- Leaving SA does not automatically end your SA tax obligations. Foreign income above R1.25 million per year may still be taxable if you remain a SA tax resident.
- Formally notify SARS via the RAV01 form on SARS eFiling to cease SA tax residency. Do this in the tax year you leave.
- A deemed capital gains tax disposal is triggered when you cease residency. Get professional advice before acting.
- You can move up to R1 million offshore per year under your single discretionary allowance without SARS approval.
- Recommended advisers with SA-UK experience: Sable International, FinGlobal, Rand Rescue.
Bank accounts and money
- Keep at least one SA bank account open for 12 months after arriving in the UK. You will need it for debit orders and SA-based transactions.
- SA credit history does not transfer to the UK. You start from zero.
- Wise and Mukuru are the most popular ways to send money between SA and the UK at good rates.
Medical
- See your GP and dentist before you leave. NHS dental waiting lists can be long.
- Get 3-6 months of any chronic medication scripts. SA medication names differ from UK equivalents.
- Collect vaccination records and your children's immunisation cards.
Other admin
- Cancel or pause: gym memberships, subscriptions, DStv, Discovery Health (or keep it for SA visits).
- Vehicle: sell before you leave. UK drives on the left. SA-registered right-hand-drive cars cannot be imported cost-effectively.
- Inform your children's school with enough notice to receive English transfer certificates and report cards.
Information correct as of August 2026. Always verify at gov.uk and sars.gov.za before acting. Saffa does not provide legal, tax or immigration advice.