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Trans-Global Migration Newsletter October 2008

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Current opinion and trends seem to indicate a mass exodus from the country when in fact it is really a heightened interest from South Africans seeking information about the requirements and ins and outs of relocating to a new country.

There is an unprecedented increase in the number of people and families seeking advice on relocation but many are reverting to sitting on the fence and waiting it out in some expectation that things will improve, or perhaps the changes taking place at present will be for the better good of the country. It really appears to be a case of living from one crisis to another. South Africans will also be sobered by the fact that we provide only a small percentage of the overall numbers in terms of people migrating to Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The main suppliers of migrant numbers are United Kingdom and India and to a lesser extent Europe and a number of Asian countries.

The prime motivators for South Africans leaving are certainly there; crime, corruption, BEE, affirmative action, Eskom, uncertainty about Africa, but importantly, fear for the future of children in terms of education and career opportunities. Children themselves tend to have entered the debate and will express strong views on why they want a new start somewhere in the world.

Any relocation no matter the destination is traumatic but many South Africans have an added burden and that is the high expectations they carry as part of their baggage. Many are aloof and arrogant and ignorant of what they are letting themselves in for. It is therefore advisable to seek assistance not only for filling in a great deal of forms but to learn more about the countries they are headed to. There is a great deal of information available on the numerous websites hosted by the various countries and migration consultants are generally quite well informed about the day to day issues of living in a strange country. One particular website forum has a contribution from a member entitled 100 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MIGRATING TO AUSTRALIA, a must read for every prospective migrant.

As far as destinations go, Australia is still the first choice for many South Africans probably due to a perception that there are many similarities between the countries in terms of weather, sporting preferences, culture and other issues, but a view that is sometimes scotched when people actually settle. People will find a somewhat over-regulated nanny society that is a far cry from the rough ‘n tough, anything goes attitudes that we encounter in South Africa. The newcomers who tend to assimilate well and rather swiftly are those who are prepared to embrace all of the cultural issues of their hosts and to literally get with the programme.

Despite the popularity of Australia as destinations go, Canada and New Zealand receive a fair amount of South Africans these days and more recently there are indications that Canada has become more attractive than in years gone by.

Canada however is immersed in problems of it’s own with regard to immigration matters and it seems set to become a political football if the politicians in that country are to have their way. The problem stems from the inordinate backlog of unprocessed applications which some reports say is reaching proportions of 1 million, with no relief in sight. Processing times for residence in Canada are in the region of 48 months and getting worse.

A recently introduced bill which threatens to select only highly sought after skills for migration purposes will further exacerbate the problems that Canadian immigration officials have.

New Zealand remains, in the writer’s opinion, the most immigrant friendly of the three preferred destinations probably due to the simple fact that they have got it right in terms of the immigration model used to bring people to their country. As opposed to Australia and Canada where you apply for residence in the first instance, obtain approval and then go and start your new life, New Zealand have placed more emphasis on determining whether a potential resident is “work ready” and has the necessary qualifications to meet the job specification. In this way New Zealand are addressing the very core of concern of most migrants which is the ability to be employable in their new country.

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