You are here: Home > UK > Relocation Services > Visa Requirements > Full immigration to the UK

Full immigration to the UK for South Africans

Introduction

If you have decided to immigrate to the UK there are a number of ways that you can gain the status of "Right to Abode". Without this status you will not be able to work and your stay will be limited.

This section deals with the types of visas you will need in order to get that elusive "Right to Abode".

Visa Requirements

To live and work in the United Kingdom, you will have to have one of the following documents:

• A British passport that states that you are a British Citizen


• An EEC passport


• Have an entry clearance visa such as a work permit

There are a number of ways to get one of the above documents depending on you age, circumstances or status. If you are not a British Citizen or an EEC citizen then you will have to apply for a visa. The types of visas are listed below.

Visa Categories

You will be able to get a visa to enter the UK to live and work if you fall into one of these categories:

• UK Ancestry - Commonwealth citizens with UK-born grandparents


• Spouses of British residents


• Dependent relatives - relatives over 65 financially dependent on the UK sponsor


• EEA nationals


• Sole Representatives - persons representing a foreign company without UK representation


• Students


• Undergraduate Doctors and dentists


• Student nurses


• Working holidaymakers - Commonwealth citizens aged 17-27


• Fiancés of British citizens


• Ministers of Religion


• Au Pairs


• Accompanying parent of child in UK education establishment


• Investors - persons with at least £1,000,000


• Visitors for medical treatment


• Ground Staff of Overseas airlines


• Journalists - representatives of overseas newspapers, news agencies or broadcasting organisations


• Business Investors - persons intending to invest at least £200,000 in a business in the UK and create at least two new jobs


• Writers, Composers and Artists


• Retired persons of Independent Means - persons aged over 65 with an income of at least £25,000 p.a. and close connections with the UK


• Seasonal workers in agriculture

Next Steps

If you think that you fall into one of the above categories the next step is to start applying for the visa.



To help you do this please see the next section:

Applying for a UK Visa

Additional Resources

More information on visa categories can be found at the following web sites:

Foreign and Commonwealth website

The British High Commission in South Africa