Born in Cape Town, live in the UK, can I move back?
02 February 2012
I was born in Cape Town late 80's, my father who is South African moved to the UK when I was two and I have lived here ever since, now in my 20's am I eligible to move back to Cape Town and become a citizen or will I need some sort of visa to live / work? Also, how do I get my national number as I have noticed you need to provide this when applying for jobs etc.
Read more posts about South Africa
Living in:
From:
Stephanie's Website
Also, you do need to get a Green Identity Book - which is only given to citizens and permanent residents, and which is the physical manifestation of your status that gives you the right to live and work in SA.
To apply for this book for the first time, you will need you birth certificate, which you can get from the Department of Home Affairs in SA if you don't have it on hand. Do note, this can be a HUGE mission, as even the simplest task at Home Affairs is a long and tenuous journey. Once you have your birth certificate, you merely need to fill out the necessary form and submit along with the certified birth certificate and two colour passport pictures to Home Affairs. For more information, read the official Identity Document page.
Do you need to do this stuff from abroad, or do you plan to do it in SA?
Thanks so much for your help, I would have never of known that! The thing is, I just got back from an amazing holiday out in Cape Town and I knew from the moment I arrived that this is a place I would love to live in, maybe it's because I know I can as I was born there and I do want a change, I may end up hating it but I really want to just give it a go as it is such an amazing place. So nothing is certain now but I do hope to go out there in the near future so this information is extremely helpful. Can I organise getting my birth cirtificate whilst I am in the UK or would I need to get it sorted out in SA? My parents may have a copy of it, if so that would save some time..
Also, would you know of any good websites for looking for jobs? I am currently in the media / sales / marketing field, so any info on agencies or websites would be of great use.
What is your opinion living in Cape Town? Would you ever book back to the states?
Living in:
From:
Stephanie's Website
If you're in the UK, I would start by contacting the South African Embassy or Consulate there. Ask if you can make arrangements to apply for your ID from abroad, and ask them if you can use a certified copy of your birth certificate, or if you'll need the original.
From there, you can start applying for jobs, but it's best to know that in the advertising/media/publishing industry, they'll likely want you to interview in a week's time, and then start as soon as.
The best site to check out for this sort of thing is Bizcommunity.com. What experience do you have though, I might be able to point to some company web sites.
Oh really is that how you live there now, was it hard for you to move over from the states?
Ok sure, I think my main priority is to pass my driving license in the UK so I have that ready when I go out there, then I will start looking up how to get my ID but in meantime will look that up so I am prepared.
Is it best to move over first then to start looking for jobs? What did you do? I have been on that website, it seems the best for media related roles. I have experience in marketing for larger supermarket chain, experience in advertising, sales and designing ads for newspapers and magazines, this is where I currently am now, 3 years. Got experience in helping out at an advertising agency too. Thanks so much for all your help!
I have been looking up places to rent to see the prices etc. where do you think is the best, safest place to live? I am quite a city girl so I like being near shops, restaurants, possibly a sea view too.
Post new comment