Expat Topics
Moving Abroad from South Africa
Load shedding, crime, and opportunity — the push and pull of South African emigration
Last updated March 2026
900K+
South Africans Abroad
United Kingdom
Top Destination
IT, Medical, Engineering
Brain Drain Sectors
200+ days in 2023
Load Shedding
South Africa has experienced a steady brain drain since the 1990s, accelerated by electricity load shedding, high crime rates, and economic uncertainty. An estimated 900,000 South Africans live abroad permanently, with the UK, Australia, and Canada as top destinations. The IT, medical, and engineering sectors see the highest outflow.
Top 8 Destinations for South Africa Expats
Where South Africa citizens are actually moving — with honest reasons why.
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Ancestry Visa for those with UK-born grandparents. Largest South African diaspora. London, Birmingham, and Manchester have strong SA communities.
🇦🇺Australia
Skilled migration visas for IT, medical, and engineering professionals. Perth and Sydney have large SA communities.
🇨🇦Canada
Express Entry for skilled workers. Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver attract SA professionals and families.
🇳🇿New Zealand
Similar outdoor culture, skilled migration pathways, and lower crime. Auckland has a growing South African community.
🇦🇪UAE
Tax-free salaries and career opportunities in finance, engineering, and hospitality. Dubai has 100K+ South Africans.
🇳🇱Netherlands
Historic Afrikaans-Dutch linguistic connection. IT sector opportunities and EU residency path.
🇵🇹Portugal
D7 visa and affordable EU living. Growing SA community in Lisbon and the Algarve.
🇮🇪Ireland
Working Holiday Visa for under-30s, English-speaking, and strong demand for SA professionals in tech and pharma.
Why People Leave South Africa
- 1Load shedding: rolling blackouts affecting businesses, daily life, and economic productivity
- 2Crime and safety: South Africa has one of the world's highest violent crime rates — security costs are a significant expense
- 3Economic uncertainty: high unemployment (32%+), rand volatility, and limited career growth in many sectors
- 4Healthcare: public system severely strained, private healthcare expensive at ZAR 5,000-15,000/month for family coverage
- 5Education: concerns about declining public education quality drive families to expensive private schools or overseas
- 6Political instability: corruption concerns, political uncertainty, and service delivery failures
Important Considerations Before Leaving
- South Africa allows dual citizenship — you can hold SA and another passport simultaneously (with conditions)
- Tax emigration: SARS requires formal tax emigration to cease SA tax residency — this is a critical administrative step
- SARS exit charge: retirement fund withdrawals on emigration are taxed — plan with a cross-border tax specialist
- SA pension funds: you can withdraw after emigration, but tax implications vary — the 3-year waiting period was removed
- Foreign exchange controls: SA residents face limits on transferring money out — tax clearance required for large amounts
Frequently Asked Questions
How many South Africa citizens live abroad?
An estimated 900K+ South Africa citizens currently live abroad. The top destination is United Kingdom.
What are the best countries to move to from South Africa?
The most popular destinations for South Africa expats are United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. Each offers different advantages from career growth to lifestyle and cost savings.
What should I consider before leaving South Africa?
South Africa allows dual citizenship — you can hold SA and another passport simultaneously (with conditions) Tax emigration: SARS requires formal tax emigration to cease SA tax residency — this is a critical administrative step
Not sure where to move from South Africa?
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