Jaime Catala shares his story

What’s one of the best ways to seek out out extra about shifting to South Africa from the UK? You speak to somebody who’s achieved it, in fact!

That’s why we just lately sat down with Jaime Catala, one in every of our consumer managers.

Jaime, a British citizen, moved to South Africa from the UK in 2013 together with his South African girlfriend, Danielle.

Since then, the couple has arrange an exquisite life for themselves in sunny SA. Jaime and Danielle have gotten married and have turn into proud mother and father.

We’ll let Jaime inform you his story in his phrases:

What led to your transfer to South Africa?

I’m a British citizen, and I met my different half again in January 2010. We met whereas each dwelling and dealing in London.

We regularly got here to Cape City on vacation to go to household and buddies. Every time, we stayed for longer. Finally, we determined to make Cape City our house.

My spouse is initially from Cape City, and her brother and fogeys reside in Cape City, so it was a comparatively straightforward choice.

What was probably the most difficult half?

Leaving our shut family and friends behind was in all probability the toughest half, to be sincere.

What stunned you concerning the immigration course of?

The primary time I tried to assemble info referring to visas for South Africa, I knew it might be an actual problem.

In 2012, my accomplice went to the SA Excessive Fee in London to gather her new SA passport.

I believed it might be the right alternative to go together with her to see if I might chat with somebody for steering on the visa course of.

Once we received there, my accomplice went to the ‘South African’ queue whereas I went to the ‘different’ queue.

I innocently requested concerning the Life Accomplice Visa…

The member of workers working there threw an software type throughout the desk and easily stated: “Go house and skim this.”

What a begin that was! I walked out, not realizing whether or not the dream transfer would ever occur.

Who did you entrust together with your visa software?

After the fiasco talked about above, of trying to assemble information from the SA Excessive Fee in London, I did some on-line analysis and got here throughout Intergate Immigration.

I had an preliminary session with the then UK Senior Immigration Advisor of Intergate, which, paradoxically, I took over from (small world).

A number of emails and calls later, I realised that I used to be in good arms, so I organized a face-to-face assembly with Mark in London.

My assembly with Mark reconfirmed that Intergate was the company that might deal with my visa functions from that time onwards.

How lengthy did you wait on the end result of your visa software?

I’ve utilized for 5 completely different visas since emigrating to SA in 2013.

I can’t keep in mind how lengthy I waited for every one, however on common, House Affairs has been fairly good at issuing my visas throughout the stipulated eight to 12 weeks.

My final short-term residence visa granted in 2019 took 9 weeks to be processed.

However, my Everlasting Residence visa took simply shy of three years to get authorized.

Was the hassle and stress of going by way of the visa software value it?

Sure, completely. I can contemplate myself fortunate that DHA authorized all 5 of my visa functions, so no complaints.

What do you assume the DHA might do higher?

There are various areas for enchancment, however I believe the one space that wants probably the most work could be their communication.

For my part, having a foreigner watch for the end result of their Everlasting Residence for 3 to 4 years with none type of communication is appalling.

Most foreigners making use of for Everlasting Residence for South Africa depend on that A4 certificates to legally stay within the nation, whether or not on a retirement foundation, finding out, working, and even operating their companies in SA.

Might you please inform us extra about your expertise with VFS?

I can’t touch upon VFS within the UK as I utilized for all my visas from inside South Africa.

I have to admit my private experiences from submitting right here in SA have been good. The workers at our native VFS have been well mannered and attentive, and it felt like they knew what they have been doing.

All in all, I’ve no complaints primarily based on my private experiences.

You utilized for PR in 2017. How did you discover this course of?

I utilized for Everlasting Residence primarily based on my relationship for 5 years or longer with my now-wife, a South African citizen.

The method will be daunting at first, however it’s not that unhealthy whenever you get your arms soiled and begin gathering paperwork. It’s additionally very thrilling!

How does life in SA examine to life within the UK?

The life-style is so completely different right here in SA! There are many out of doors actions, like browsing, biking, swimming, cricket, soccer, and so on. I have to admit I miss having a beer in a pub on a winter’s day within the UK.

Do you discover it cheaper to reside in SA than within the UK?

Usually, sure, the price of dwelling is cheaper in SA than within the UK. Nevertheless, sure issues are equally, if no more costly right here in SA than within the UK. For instance, shopping for a automobile is far more expensive.

How did you discover a job in South Africa?

I moved to South Africa with out having a full-time job lined up.

As a professional cricket coach, I secured a part-time job for a Cricket Academy in South Africa, the place I labored for just a few months.

After that, I utilized for varied roles utilizing my language expertise (I’m fluent in Spanish) and landed a job to work for a name centre in Cape City for one of many main airways on the earth.

Did you ship your family belongings to South Africa?

Whereas dwelling in London, we amassed furnishings and objects that we took with us to Cape City.

We used a removals firm referred to as White and Firm which I consider originate from Portsmouth however have branches throughout England.

White and Co’s providers have been second to none! Initially, they despatched one in every of their representatives to return to our home and carry out a list to supply a quote.

As soon as we confirmed the quote and booked a date, they despatched two workers members to the home and packed every thing up for us. All we needed to do was be house on the day, and White and Co did the remaining.

Completely superb service!

You and your spouse at the moment are mother and father! How did you discover South Africa’s healthcare system throughout each of your spouse’s pregnancies?

In our private expertise, the well being care right here in South Africa is sensible – equally nearly as good as the extent of personal healthcare within the UK.

The primary distinction is that you’ve entry to free healthcare by way of the NHS within the UK, however right here in SA, you’ve got the price of non-public medical insurance coverage.

Your eldest baby is beginning kindergarten subsequent 12 months. How did you discover and select a playschool?

The playschool the place our three-year-old is was a suggestion from a member of the family.

We have been delighted to obtain an acceptance letter for a pre-primary college in Newlands beginning in January 2022.

Right here in South Africa, particularly across the Western Cape space, it’s essential to reside near the great colleges as many colleges has ‘catchment areas’. That implies that except you reside near the college you’d like your baby to go to, the college won’t settle for your baby.

Do you intend on making use of for South African citizenship?

Not at this stage, however by no means say by no means.

As a Everlasting Resident, I’ve the identical rights as a South African citizen, other than voting and holding a passport. The remaining is identical – you may run your individual enterprise, work for a number of firms, and so on.

Would you contemplate returning to the UK at some stage?

Once more, by no means say by no means, however we plan to stay right here in SA at this stage as we love our life in Cape City.

What are the perfect elements about dwelling in South Africa?

The local weather, for certain. Fairly than having 300 days per 12 months of rain, we exchanged it for 300 days of sunshine.

What did you discover probably the most tough to get used to when you have been dwelling in South Africa?

The velocity of issues! Having lived in London, the place the tempo of dwelling is electrical, it was a totally completely different life-style once we moved to Cape City.

How do you’re feeling about how the South African authorities is dealing with COVID-19?

I believe South Africa must be happy with how the pandemic was dealt with, particularly at the start.

The South African authorities carried out strict guidelines and rules early, which prevented COVID-19 instances from spiking because it did in lots of international locations in Europe or the USA.

The locals so far proceed to stick to sporting masks when in public as it is a obligatory requirement.

I assume that the federal government will proceed to ease restrictions because the variety of vaccinated folks will increase and we get nearer to herd immunity.

What would your recommendation be to anybody who’s contemplating shifting to South Africa from the UK?

One of the best recommendation I might supply to anybody could be to offer it a attempt. If it doesn’t work out for you, you’re solely a flight away.

Keep in mind that South Africa is nicely related, with common flights out and in of Cape City and Johannesburg airports. South Africa’s time zone can be much like that of the UK and the remainder of Europe.

And crucial factor is, South Africa is a stupendous nation. Right here in Cape City, we’re spoilt for selection – seashore life, mountains, vineyard, incredible climate, and the checklist goes on.

In case you don’t attempt, you’ll by no means know!

Do you need to take an opportunity on South Africa?

Jaime is one in every of our consumer managers, as talked about earlier.

In case you’d like to talk to him concerning the ins and outs of shifting from South Africa to the UK, please be happy to offer our workplace a name on +27 (0) 21 424 2460.

You too can contact Jaime instantly through e-mail at j.catala@intergate-immigration.com or join with him on LinkedIn.