{"id":117650,"date":"2024-09-16T11:39:53","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T10:39:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/?p=117650"},"modified":"2025-04-24T16:53:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T15:53:47","slug":"cost-of-moving-to-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shipit.co.uk\/blog\/cost-of-moving-to-south-africa","title":{"rendered":"How Much Does it Cost to Move to South Africa From the UK in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019ll cost between \u00a39,000 and \u00a315,000 <\/strong>to move to South Africa from the UK in 2025. This is just an average cost to use as a guideline. These costs are based on visa fees, flights, health insurance, shipping costs and other essential services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use the costs in this blog as a guideline to create a budget for your move. By budgeting, you can factor in all the important costs and won\u2019t face any hidden fees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Breakdown of the costs of moving to South Africa<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Visa and Document Costs<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Skills Assessment –<\/strong> A skills assessment is essential for the Critical Skills visa and potentially for the Permanent Residence visa. It\u2019ll cost around ZAR 1,750 (\u00a375) for a SAQA Certificate of Evaluation if you obtained your qualifications outside of South Africa.

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  2. Authentication Fees<\/strong> – You might need certain UK-issued documents legalised or apostilled by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office<\/a> (FCDO). This will cost roughly \u00a330 (ZAR 675) per document. Certain documents might need to be notarised which will cost between \u00a370 (ZAR 1,575) and \u00a3150 (ZAR 3,375) per document. 

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  3. Mandatory Medical Check – <\/strong>You\u2019ll need a medical exam for most South African visas, typically in the form of a general medical certificate which costs between \u00a350 – \u00a3150 (ZAR 1,125 – ZAR 3,375 )and a tuberculosis radiological report for \u00a350 – \u00a3100 (ZAR 1,125 – ZAR 2,250). You should budget around \u00a3100 to \u00a3250 (ZAR 2,250 – ZAR 5,625) per person.

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  4. Police Clearance Certificate <\/strong>– A police clearance certificate is also required to live and work in South Africa. You can get this via the ACRO Criminal Records Office<\/a> in the UK and costs between \u00a360 to \u00a390 (ZAR 1,350 – ZAR 2,025).

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  5. Visa Application Fee –<\/strong> It\u2019ll cost between \u00a380 and \u00a3150 (ZAR 1,800 – ZAR 3,375) for a Work or Permanent Residence Permit visa application fee. Costs can be as high as \u00a3300 (ZAR 6,750) and vary depending on the visa type. 

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  6. Visa Assistance –  <\/strong>Although it\u2019s not an essential service, you could pay between \u00a3500 to \u00a33,000 (ZAR 11,250 – ZAR 67,500) to hire an immigration lawyer to guide you through the visa process. Prices vary depending on the complexity of your case. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/span>Travel and Relocation Costs<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    1. Flights from the UK to South Africa<\/strong>: You should budget between \u00a3400 and \u00a3800 (ZAR 9,000 – ZAR 18,000) for a one-way flight ticket to South Africa. Costs vary depending on the airlines, time of year and ticket class.  

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    2. Shipping Your Belongings<\/strong>: It\u2019ll cost \u00a31,550 (ZAR 34,875) to ship the contents of a 3-bedroom home to South Africa from the UK. This is the cost of a 20ft shipping container. 

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    3. Rental Deposits & Advance Rent<\/strong>: The <\/strong>average rent for a 2-3 bedroom home in <\/strong>Johannesburg will cost between ZAR 11,250 to ZAR 33,750 (\u00a3500 – \u00a31,500) per month, depending on location, type of property and amenities. You\u2019ll typically have to pay 1-2 months\u2019 rent for a deposit. You should budget around ZAR 67,500 (\u00a33,000) for moving costs.  

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    4. Health Insurance:<\/strong>  South Africa has public healthcare funded by the government. It\u2019s advised to get health insurance as an expat due to the overcrowded system. Costs vary between ZAR 1,350 to ZAR 4,500 (\u00a360 and \u00a3200) per month for an individual and up to \u00a3800 for a family.

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    5. Shipping Your Car:<\/strong> For car shipping to South Africa<\/a>, <\/strong>it\u2019ll cost \u00a31,400 (ZAR 31,500) on average to ship a saloon car to Cape Town via R-Rak shipping. Costs do not include import or tax costs and your total cost will vary depending on car type and destination. 

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    6. Shipping your Pet<\/strong>: There are strict pet importing rules in South Africa, so you may be subject to a quarantine period. The average cost of shipping your pet will be around \u00a31,500 to \u00a33,500 (ZAR 33,750 to ZAR 78,750). Costs will vary depending on the type and size of the animal, airline, and essential certificates and vaccinations. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      <\/span>Average Salaries in South Africa<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The average salary in South Africa for 2025 is <\/strong>ZAR 300,000 – ZAR 360,000 (\u00a313,333 – \u00a316,000) per year. Average salaries vary depending on the industry, experience and location. Below we\u2019ve listed the average salary in some prime locations in South Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n