Relocating to London, HELP!

Hi Guys,

So I am from South Africa, a 24 year old Male whom would like to pack up and relocate to London. My primary concern is the job market and availability of work for someone like me? As well as difficulties in obtaining a VISA?

I have a BBA degree and i have about 4 years experience in the I.T industry (management not technical) . Please also bare in mind that I'm still at the basis of planning my relocation and any sort of advice would be highly beneficial.

Will it be extremely difficult to find work? Which area/s should i be looking into with consideration to financial/work/social aspects?

Moving alone seems to scare the hell out of me, I come from a big family which I am going to have to leave behind. Anyone who has done this before or currently lives there, I would highly appreciate your comments?

Thanks

I would imagine that there will be plenty of jobs in London for someone with your experience; the economy in London is pretty good at the moment, especially in your industry.

I'm not sure about the visa though - are you eligible for a working holiday visa for the UK? Otherwise, the visa situation could be tricky for you from what I know about it.

It's scary for sure - I am doing a similar move soon to New Zealand. But try to focus on the positives, and the reasons why you want to do the move in the first place. It will be worth the stress in the end I reckon!

Quoting kreolen

As well as difficulties in obtaining a VISA?

Visas for the UK can be difficult (and expensive) nowadays. Take a look at the "visas and immigration" section of the UK government website to see if you might fit into one of the categories of work visas. The working holiday visa that bex mentioned is in that section as a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme).

Many South Africans also have ancestry from European countries - often either the UK or Netherlands. This sometimes can open up other doors regarding visas or even nationality. Is this something that might apply to you?

Quoting bex76

It's scary for sure - I am doing a similar move soon to New Zealand.

You heading back to NZ? You lived there a while ago didn't you? I might be moving back to Australia next year.

Quoting mojorob

Quoting bex76

It's scary for sure - I am doing a similar move soon to New Zealand.

You heading back to NZ? You lived there a while ago didn't you? I might be moving back to Australia next year.

Yes, I lived there for 5 years and have been back in the UK for 4. I'm heading back there in 2 weeks on a one -way ticket so will see how it goes!

Quoting bex76

Yes, I lived there for 5 years and have been back in the UK for 4. I'm heading back there in 2 weeks on a one -way ticket so will see how it goes!

Hope it goes well! I lived across the ditch in Australia for 5 years, have been back in the UK for almost 3½ years. Not made final decision yet, but it's quite likely we'll be heading back in 2016.

Hope it goes well for you too if you decide to make the move. My main reason for going back is because of the better weather and lifestyle on NZ - I'm fed up of the awful weather here and being indoors all the time.