You want your new house to feel like home, but do you need to take absolutely everything with you when you emigrate? The answer is no.

Moving abroad is among the most stressful things you can do in your life, which is why we don’t do it very often.

Tier 2 workers are often unsure about the immigration terms of their employment. Many of these Tier 2 workers want to undertake additional or charity work, or study further but are not sure whether doing this is in line with their visa terms. Can Tier 2 workers undertake supplementary work? Tier 2 migrants may in […]

The pain of paperwork can put you right off your holiday or business trip. But your SA passport is more handy than you might think at getting you through the world’s immigration desks.

Moving is expensive! We spoke to a shipping expert about some ways to cut back on unnecessary moving costs.

With the very large South African community living in the UK, it is no surprise that Breytenbachs receive many queries on the UK Visitor Visa. Grandparents, parents, friends, and family all want to visit those fortunate enough to live in the UK. There is also a large number of persons wanting to visit the UK […]

The UK Elderly Dependent Visa offers the opportunity for a UK sponsor to bring an elderly dependent to the UK.

UK Visa rules can often be very complicated, and oftentimes things are not as straightforward as they seem.

These four topics and more will be covered if you come to meet Grant Kaplan and his associates this October in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

It might help to clear up these misconceptions, especially if you’re considering moving to the States.

The Tier 2 Immigration route is one of the most popular ways for non-EU citizens to live and work in the UK.

We answer some of the most frequently asked questions on the Surinder Singh immigration route.

No official reason has been given, but it seems like we have another Gupta fall guy here…

Always reassuring to see the Finance Minister’s name appear alongside the word ‘fraud’

With lost citizenship, foreign spouses, foreign parents-in-laws, the questions posed to our South African Immigration department make for some interesting reading!

Initial figures reported an exodus of 440,000 white South Africans over 20 years. However…

Obtaining visas and Green Cards in the new era of the Trump administration has become a more cumbersome and pedantic process.

Packing up and leaving “for the sake of the children” is a good excuse. But what do the children actually want?

The consultants at Breytenbachs often receive desperate pleas for help from South Africans who are refused entry to the United Kingdom at the Port of Entry.

Mashaba has faced criticism for his policy to reclaim ‘hijacked’ buildings

Many South Africans choose to live and work overseas and return back home at some stage. However, in many instances, they now have children and overseas spouses or partners, which give rise to many immigration issues and questions.

An expert believes immigrant workers can actually create more jobs and investment in SA

Most migrants, subject to immigration control in the UK are familiar with the term ‘no recourse to public funds, as this is very clearly stipulated in the terms of most UK visas and permits.

Computer-savvy SA workers could be the real beneficiaries of Brexit Britain

Despite some media bashing, America is still considered one of the best places to emigrate to. Here’s why.

Not sure what to put on your resume when applying for a job in Australia? You’re not alone.

Mr Geffen’s fierce words and bleak predictions ring true with the fears of most South Africans

The past weeks brought hope to many families, as the Home Office announced changes to the UK Family Migration rules.

SA’s population has increased overall, but whites aged 15-34 are dwindling – That’s a problem…

Breytenbachs Immigration is delighted to inform readers that the UK Home Office has announced changes to the UK Family Migration rules. The newly amended rules should be a positive change for families and spouses who were adversely affected since 2012.

If you’re looking for a ‘home away from home’, these are the places to be

Are you a business owner, farmer or investor looking for a US Visa or Green Card? Now is your chance to chat to immigration experts on your home turf.

We now have a police chief who talks in memes. What a country we live in…

Your reasons for heading on out of SA are your own, but there are a few things you might not have considered an integral part of the move.

Are you a business owner, farmer or investor looking for a US Visa or Green Card?

One of the lesser-known immigration routes is the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur immigration. This immigration route offers many advantages to South Africans and other non-EEA graduates, who have exciting business ideas they want to implement in the UK.

Judge rules that young girl must be torn away from her family and sent back to SA. On her own.

One of the most common concerns for UK employers wanting to sponsor a Tier 2 (General) employee, and for the prospective Tier 2 employee, is how to meet the Tier 2 (General) minimum salary threshold.

If you’ve ever thought about moving to Australia, you need to know that the land down under is in desperate for South African engineers.

Just a reminder that a group of highly-paid, well-respected adults made this decision. What is it with this planet?

You’d better get used to these as soon as possible.

One of the biggest concerns for South Africans relocating to the UK is whether their children of school-going age will be able to attend a state-funded UK school.

When one receives the initial spouse visa, the relief is often very big, and thoughts of the extension seem far away.

Minister highlights how undermined she has been by her own department

Want to know how you can ensure a smooth visa application?

The minimum income threshold is having a devastating effect on families.

This coming week we are expecting delivery of a landmark court case that might affect UK immigration law. Delivery of the second landmark case is expected at a later stage.

Government’s cabinet reshuffle and SA’s subsequent ratings downgrade, paired with the economic implications that are to follow, have made those South Africans who might otherwise have stuck it out in Mzansi, skittish.

The current political climate is driving a sharp increase in visa enquiries from South Africans looking to emigrate.

VG Immigration has noticed that a lot of visa and Biometric residence permit (BRP) holders in the UK are not aware that they need to report any change in their circumstances to the Home Office.

Big immigration changes could be coming.

Say what now?

In order to provide clarity on the issue of UK visa applications and Tuberculosis Testing, the consultants at Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants have compiled a short guidance on the matter.

Some of these we can only dream of…

Our shiny new minister of police has had a busy week… of talking and posturing.

That’s the second major change to immigration policy announced this week.

The number one destination for skilled South Africans to emigrate to might not be a viable option for much longer.

Many persons are surprised to find out that it is possible to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) based on continuous lawful residence in the UK.

The Royal Commonwealth Society, with its supporting partners, visited 10 Downing Street to submit a public petition on restoring visa-free travel for South Africans visiting the UK.

Tit-for-tat visa regulations between South Africa and New Zealand was introduced recently.

From 6 April 2017, there will be a number of rule changes to the Tier 2 Immigration Route. Breytenbachs Consultants have reported on these prospective rule changes to Tier 2, over the past few months, and can now confirm that the UK Home Office has laid it before Parliament for approval.

There are several ways to move to the US. Here are the work-based ways to do it.

It doesn’t look like cabinet will be renewing the special permits that allow Zimbabweans to live and work in South Africa after they expire at the end of 2017.

You wont believe where some of these dishes originated.

Nigerian officials have confirmed that 97 of their citizens have been deported back to Nigeria, following raids on foreign nationals by South African authorities.

Travelling to EU countries could soon be a whole lot easier for South Africans.

Mashaba has a bee in his bonnet about this.

Australia and the United Kingdom remain the favourite destinations for people looking to leave SA behind, but just why are we still seeing so many folks calling it a day in sunny south Africa?

There are a number of UK immigration changes coming into effect in April 2017.  One of these is the introduction of the UK Immigration Skills Charge, as well the annual UK Home Office fee increases.

Home affairs minister Malusi Gigabe is in the process of finalising new legislation that the dept hopes will improve the current handling of migrants.

Nice views, though.

As xenophobic violence rears its head again in South Africa, a widely quoted figure of how many Nigerians live in South Africa is completely unsupported.

The beginning of 2017 has proved turbulent, setting an uncertain political background to business agendas.

There are a number of UK Immigration changes that will be implemented in April 2017. It is important that UK visa applicants take note of the various changes, in order to prepare themselves for these changes, and where possible to apply beforehand, in order to avoid the more strict requirements.

No one can deny that the new Trump administration has caused chaos and uncertainty in the immigration arena in the USA.

People are often surprised to hear that they do not necessarily have to marry in order to join their partner in the UK.

Last week we discussed the popularity of the UK as an overseas destination for students looking to study abroad and the importance of choosing the best suitable educational institute. In this edition, we are focusing on the costs of studying in the UK and the situation regarding dependants of the Tier 4 Student.

Despite talking up her visit to the White House, the British PM has been remarkably quiet on the biggest issue of the moment.

Many South African parents get anxious about the stance of tertiary education institutes in South Africa and are looking at the possibility of their children rather studying overseas. Persons are however often overwhelmed, as they are not sure where and how to start the process, what visa to apply for and what to expect in terms of cost.

The consultants at Breytenbachs Immigration often receive very anxious cries for help from South African clients, who are in desperate situations regarding their SA passports.

Moving to the USA can be difficult, time-consuming and expensive, but Barry Le Roux has made the US his home. Here’s how.

Many clients applying for UK visas for the first time, are very surprised to hear that they are subject to pay a UK Immigration Health Surcharge.  In order to provide first-time applicants with the necessary information on this levy, the consultants at Breytenbachs Immigration have compiled some guidance on the issue.

South African television programme Carte Blanche investigated the fraught journey to South Africa many Malawians experience. But their hard-hitting figure that “almost one-third of Malawi’s population” live in South Africa is completely off-point.

The UK Ancestral Visa remains one of the most popular ways for Commonwealth Citizens to live and work in the United Kingdom.

The year 2017 looks to be a year that might come with many immigration changes in the United Kingdom.  In this article, we look ahead at what we might expect, in order to allow our clients to prepare for what might come.

Sorting out a visa is the worst, right? Never fear… here are a whole host of destinations where you can roll up, hand over a few Rand and have your passport stamped.

One of the most important rules for migrants residing in the UK is to never become an overstayer, as to do so may have severe consequences on their ability to remain in or return to the UK. In order to avoid becoming an overstayer migrants must ensure that, prior to the expiry of their visa, they either depart the UK or to submit a valid application for Leave to Remain to the UK Home Office.

In the age of heavily restricted migration, passport control seems a natural prerogative of the state. The idea of abolishing passports is almost unthinkable.

2016 will be remembered as the year ‘diversity-angst’ came out the closet with a bang!

Social documentary photographer, Tanya Houghton’s recent exhibition suggests that a powerful way to dissolve such fear is through food

As Christmas swiftly approaches now is often a time to think of friends and family back in South Africa. Many are unable to afford the visa costs to visit the UK and others can just about pay the flights plus the visa but wish it were different. Our grassroots petition goes to the heart of this […]

One of the terms that one often encounters in the UK immigration rules is the so-called ‘right of abode.’ But, what is this so-called ‘right of abode’?

So, your beloved partner lives in the UK and you’d like to join them. Well here’s some good news: If you’re in a relationship with an Ancestry visa holder, EU citizen or UK citizen, you will be able to move to the UK and live with them. There are various criteria and qualifications, but most of them are simpler than you think.

In response to the New Zealand government’s new policy insisting that South Africans obtain visas to enter the country, our department of home affairs did exactly the same; but more changes are coming.

Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba refuses to back down over comments he made, that illegal immigrants are one of the root causes of crime in Jozi.

The UK Immigration rules, fortunately, make provision for non-British parents to exercise their right of access to children resident in the UK. There are however strict requirements to be met.

The DA’s Johannesburg mayor maintains that illegal immigrants had better get the hell out of dodge…

In his ‘100 days as mayor’ speech, Herman Mashaba said all illegal immigrants are criminals and should be treated as such, but home affairs strongly condemned the mayor’s statements as unjustified.

The year 2016 was a busy year for UK Immigration, with events like the vote for Brexit that caused a lot of concern for immigrants in the UK. There were also some other major immigration changes, such as the new minimum pay threshold that impacted significantly on the lives of many immigrants.

Moving countries is daunting. Letting go of the familiar to embrace a new culture can be tricky, albeit exciting.

On a daily basis, the consultants at Breytenbachs Immigration encounter cases where clients have been fed incorrect information, and given often ill-advised advice, by unqualified and unscrupulous immigration advisors.