Aside from the fact that it is the only place except for the US where you can buy Hummer H3, moving to South Africa will bring other amazing and unique experiences. SA has everything from well-developed concrete jungles where the economy, businesses, music, and art thrive to actual jungles where you can see the most diverse wildlife in the world.
If you relocate across the world to the Rainbow Nation, you will be amazed by its people, diverse culture, and general way of living. This multicultural country truly has a world inside its borders and even one sovereign state, since Lesotho is completely surrounded by SA.
Say Sawubona to Rainbow Nation and Learn Some Facts About It
At the most southern part of the African continent sits the Republic of South Africa. It has 60 million people and three capital cities, each for the one branch of government – the judicial center is in Bloemfontein, executive power lies in Pretoria, while parliament is located in Cape Town. The largest city is Johannesburg. It is a multiethnic society made of a variety of cultures, languages, and religions. Most of the population, 80%, are of Black African ancestry, while the remaining 20% are European, Asian, and multiracial. The economy is mixed. It is the third-largest in Africa, with a relatively high GDP per capita compared to other countries on the continent. The official currency is the South African rand (ZAR,) and one USD is around 14 ZAR.
Paperwork and Other Preparations – Expat Guide
The best way to learn how to live abroad is to go on vacation there first. And if you are American moving to South Africa, you are in luck because you can stay up to 90 days without a visa, only with your passport. So why not use this opportunity? Relocating overseas will be stress-free if the surroundings are in some ways familiar. You will be more prepared to live in that country, and your relocation day preparations will be much easier and smoother. You may even find accommodation pick a city to call home. Also, you will much easier decide what kind of overseas shipping option to opt for. As you know, each reputable international moving company offers two types of shipments: shipping by air and shipping by sea. Moving overseas by sea is cheaper but lasts longer, while shipping by air is much faster but more expensive. Also, while you are there, you can contact the expat community and ask them all your questions about SA. Expat communities can be found online on numerous websites, and you can connect with them even before you move.
Types of Residence Permits
If you wonder can a US citizen move to South Africa, the answer is yes. But as you know, living overseas is not possible without a work permit, permanent residence, or visa. There are twelve temporary residence permits (visas) you can apply for depending on various factors, such as age and reasons for your visit (medical, education, business). And you will need the following documents for traveling and staying:
- Passport.
- Application form DHA-1738,
- Medical report,
- Radiological report,
- Bank statements,
- Birth certificate,
- Police clearance certificate,
- Valid return ticket.
If you wish to apply for permanent residency, you will have to live in SA for four years with any temporary residence listed above.
How to Get a South African Work Permit
If you wish to establish a new business in SA, you can apply for Business Permit. You will need 2.5 million ZAR (around $167,350) of investment and plan to hire five SA citizens or permanent residents. Also, you have to be legally registered in the country. Another type is General Work Permit. For this, you will need a signed contract with an employer from SA and translated and confirmed credentials by SA Qualification Authority. Other papers may be required, so make sure to ask your employer all about them before you apply.
Pick the Best City for Living in This Amazing Country
Rainbow Nation may not be in the top ten best countries to live in, but when it comes to healthy water, it is among the top five. Tap water is considered the third-best and safest water globally. And if you are keen to enjoy some of the most beautiful blue skies, here you will find it. Cape Town is ranked 50th for having the most beautiful sky. But aside from that, in SA, you can truly find everything, from the bustling and busy central cities to laid-back coastal towns. So if you dream of relocating to the Bahamas, think again because here, you can enjoy 1,739 miles of coastline spread on two oceans. And get this – on the coast of Cape Town, you can swim with African penguins! So make sure you bring your camera with you. Finally, here is a list of the best cities in SA:
- Cape Town – One of the capital cities is called a Mother City as well. With the amazing nature and the ocean surrounding it and the Table Mountain (the oldest mountain in the world) in the backdrop, it is great for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Durban – Third largest city and the biggest port in SA is located on the Indian Ocean. It is a place with a bustling economy that keeps on growing.
- Grahamstown – It is famous for its vibrant art scene, university, and amazing nightlife with lots of bars and restaurants. It’s proximity to numerous nature reserves where you can see lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo.
- Johannesburg – The economic heart not only of the country but of entire sub-Saharan Africa. It is the country’s largest metropolis with more than ten million residents. Still, here can be seen traces of awful history since the majority of the population lives in townships to this day.
The Cost of Living Is Affordable for Everyone’s Pocket
Is it expensive to live in South Africa? Well, maybe you will not get a standard of living like in Germany, but you will be able to get a three-bedroom apartment in Johannesburg’s center for $750. To put this into perspective, you will need 53% more for living in Orange County than in Cape Town, so seriously consider moving to Cape Town, South Africa. And even if you find the cheapest place to live in Hawaii, Durban has the lower rents – a three-bedroom apartment in the center of Durban is $750, basically for free, while for the same apartment in Honolulu, you would pay $3,000.
Consider Getting International Health Insurance
Even though the first heart transplantation surgery was performed in SA, the health system in the country went downhill in the last decade. So if you are an American moving to South Africa, consider getting international or private health insurance. Of course, if you are employed there, you will be covered with national insurance, but the waiting lines to see a doctor are long, so going to a private hospital may be a better solution.
In a Multicultural Country, Finding the Right School Will Be Easy
As you may know, SA has 11 official languages, and yes, you will probably end up learning a new language once you relocate. The good side of that is that your kid will probably end up speaking more than two languages. But if this is not your cup of tea, don’t worry. You will not have to struggle that much in breaking the language barrier since English is the language of business and education. So finding a good international school will not be hard.
Interesting Facts You Need to Learn Before Moving to South Africa
If you love the movie Tomb Raider – Cradle of Life, you will be happy to hear that Lara Croft is exploring a real place called Cradle of Humankind. And it is exactly that. The oldest fossil of Homo Sapiens was found there (160,000 years old,) which supports the scientific finding that humans originate from SA. And while we are at history and nature, you can see the largest and oldest crater on the Earth (186 miles across ).
Food, Sport, and Much More to Do and See in Rainbow Nation
Even though SA hasn’t made it to the top ten friendliest countries in the world, it is no secret that people here are friendly and welcoming. It is also the land with the longest continuous wine route on earth, the largest beer brewing company, and the biggest meat producer on the globe. Combine this with friendly people from all over the planet, and you get one of the best places to live abroad, So if you like to eat at good restaurants to drink and have fun, this is a place for you. And if you love sports here, you will enjoy all of them. But soccer is the most popular one.
Here You Will Find the Most Diverse Landscapes
On the other hand, SA is, as we mentioned, a place for real adrenalin and excitement seekers. The biggest bungee jump is located here, as are some of the world’s largest and most beautiful waterfalls. From surfing and swimming with whale sharks to skiing and snowboarding in the mountains, you can find every type of landscape found on Earth. Well, maybe not every type – if you are a tundra enthusiast, you will have to relocate to Russia.
Wildlife Is to Die For
It is well known that SA is a land of fauna but did you know that it is home to the most Guinness-book animals? There’s the largest mammal, African elephant, and the tallest mammal, a giraffe, and the world’s largest bird, the ostrich, and the world’s heaviest flying bird, the Kori Bustard. It is also home to the largest and slowest antelope and the fastest cat, as a cheetah can be found here. The world’s smallest mammal, the least dwarf shrew, is from here as well as the leatherback turtle – the largest amphibian. It is home to 900 different types of birds and thousands of plants. And we didn’t even begin to talk about marine life. The biggest sardine run is found in waters around SA, and it can be seen from the space. So take your time to check this video and enjoy the SA landscapes.
Can I Just Move to South Africa? With Right Overseas Shipping Company You Can Do It Easily
As you know, no matter if you are relocating to Connecticut to some far Asian city like Seoul or Rainbow Nation, you will need help from an overseas moving company because international moving is unimaginable without professional help. Besides advice and expertise, experienced movers will handle things you can hardly do alone, such as overseas vehicle shipping. But professionals will know how to pack your belongings for a long stay in storage units, so consider hiring them for packing service because your belongings will be on the sea for some time and exposed to many weather conditions. And not to mention that packing your entire home will be much easier with professional help.
