Move Up, an immigration agency, has compiled a list of the expenses you are likely to incur on your journey to living in the United Kingdom so you can make an informed decision.
Ryan Rennison, founder and managing director of the company as well as expert in the field with over 10 years of experience helping people relocate to the United Kingdom, said there are 10 points to consider.
1. Visas
According to Ryan, settlement visa applications can be complicated and stressful.
“You must decide if you will take the risk of handling the application yourself or using an experienced immigration agency to apply on your behalf.”
Ancestral Visa: R57,963
Tier 2 General: R84,533
Entrepreneur Visa: R84,428
Tier 1 Innovator: R80,111
UK Settlement Visa: R71,231
*All Move Up prices above pertain to the main visa applicant and include agency fees, UK government fees, National Health Service fees and courier costs.
2. Proof of Savings
Ryan said for most settlement visas the applicant is required to show they have a certain amount of savings in their bank account.
“The amount varies depending on which visa you are granted, but usually ranges from R30 000 to R1 700 000.”
3. National Health Insurance
According to Ryan, some settlement visas require you to pay your National Health Insurance (NHI) fees upfront.
“That amounts to approximately R41 000 per applicant and is usually paid along with your visa application fees.”
4. TB Tests
Ryan added that applications for visas that allow you to stay in the UK for more than six months require a TB test that must be undertaken at a specified test centre in South Africa.
“The TB test costs approximately R1 800 per adult and half that for children 11 years old or younger. The certificate of results must be submitted with your visa application. Visit the UK government website to find out which test centre is nearest you.”
5. Flights
The next big-ticket item, Ryan said, is air travel.
“Booking tickets as early as possible and choosing non-peak flights during a low-season period is the best way to save money on flights. A one-way economy class ticket with one stop in Dubai from Cape Town to London will cost approximately R5 500 for one traveller. Research your flight options.”
6. Overseas furniture removals
He continued, “Most families prefer to take their furniture and household goods to the UK with them, rather than selling them off before emigrating. The cost of sending your household items to the UK varies, depending on the size of the container you need to fit your possessions into. A medium size cube from Seven Seas costs approximately R12 000 on the South African side and £250 on the UK end.”
7. Pet relocation fees
Ryan said the UK does allow you to bring your pets to the UK with you, but it can be expensive.
“While it’s best to get a few quotes to compare, bringing your dog, cat or ferret can cost up to R26 000. Be sure to read up on the government’s guidelines for bringing your pets to stay with you in the UK, too.”
8. UK monthly expenses
“Maxie took the big leap and moved to England in April along with her husband and their hound. Being the organised person that she is, Maxie put together a spreadsheet of their monthly costs. Below is a breakdown of monthly costs for a husband, wife and their dog living in Newbury, West Berkshire in a 3-bedroom, semi-detached house and a car they bought with cash in 2019.”
Rent – £1,200 or R24 000
EE Phone: Contract – £43 or R860
EE Phone: Pay as You Go – £10 or R200
EE Fibre: (Internet) – £30 or R600
Petrol: Two tanks – £120 or R2 400
TV Licence (Monthly) – £30.90 or R618
Other Travel (Train, Tube, Bus) – £100 or R2,000
Utilities: Gas – £26 or R520
Utilities: Electricity – £30 or R600
Utilities: Water – £17 or R340
Council Tax – £175.23 or R3 504.60
Basic Groceries – £250 or R5 000
Car Insurance – £72 or R1 440
Nails at Salon – £35 or R700
Banking Fees – £0 or R0
Pet Insurance – £27 or R540
Miscellaneous – £100 or R2 000
Total – £2,266.13 or R45,322.60
9. Buying a vehicle
Welcome news, Ryan said, for South African expats is that buying vehicles in the UK is significantly cheaper than buying them in SA.
“While filling up a tank of petrol costs about 50 percent more in the UK, you can purchase a second-hand, older car for just a few hundred pounds, or a newer SUV for around £13 000.”
10. School Fees
He added that state schools are provided by the government at no cost to British citizens and foreigners legally living in the UK.
“These schools are effectively funded by taxes. However, pre-school childcare can be expensive”:
Registered childminder (25 hours for a child under 2): £113 – £159 per week
Day nursery (25 hours for a child under 2): £127 – £174 per week
Part-time nanny (25 hours): £250 – £400 per week
Au pair: Room & board plus £70 – £85 per week
Ryan continued to say “Private education in the UK is very expensive. Day prep fees can range from £10,000 to £20 000 or more in London, while day fees for senior schools can range from £12 000 to £25 000 per year. Senior boarding fees cost around £35 000 per year, but some senior boarding schools are now exceeding £45 000 per annum.”
