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This is How Many South Africans Live in the UK

March 15, 2021 : By Lethabo Bhido

Immigrate from South Africa to the UKThe United Kingdom has released the latest figures on the number of foreign nationals currently living in the country.

The data is based on their annual population survey, with these being the figures for the year ending June 2020.

With travel restriction in most of 2020 owing to the global pandemic, we can assume not much has changed between now and then.

According to the survey, India consitutes the UK’s largest foreign population. 847 000 of them live there.

Poland comes second (746,000); Pakistan third (519,000); Romania fourth (370,000) with the Republic of Ireland (364,000) completing the top 5.

The only two African countries to appear in the top 10 are South Africa at number 9 with 229,000 immigrants and Nigeria at number 10 with 219,000.

# Country Total Male Female
1 India 847 000 419 000 428 000
2 Poland 746 000 333 000 412 000
3 Pakistan 519 000 265 000 254 000
4 Romania 370 000 202 000 168 000
5 Republic of Ireland 364 000 168 000 196 000
6 Germany 310 000 135 000 175 000
7 Bangladesh 251 000 128 000 123 000
8 Italy 240 000 129 000 112 000
9 South Africa 229 000 110 000 118 000
10 Nigeria 219 000 108 000 111 000

Despite the slow down in 2020, 2021 and beyond is looking up for South Africans. Immigration changes introduced at the start of the year will give South Africans hoping to move to the UK a better chance.

It is a points-based immigration system, where applicants will need at least 70 points to be eligible for a visa, according to Sable International.

What is the UK Point based Immigration System?

This is a way of selecting labour migrants based on certain characteristics such as educational qualifications, language proficiency, work experience and occupation.

This system will emphasize and give visas to immigrants for economic purposes, rather than for joining families, refugees, international students etc.

This system was inspired by Australia’s own point system.

Read: How To Immigrate to Australia from South Africa

Is the UK point system good for South Africa?

Most experts agree that South Africa will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this new point-based system.

South Africa is not a war-torn country spunning out refugees. In fact, it is a country with a huge population of qualified young people, many of them in science and engineering.

As the UK reduces their quota of refugees and low skilled workers mostly from Eastern Europe, South Africa’s highly skilled workers are expected to benefit.

Another big advantage is the fact that we speak English, which is one of the necessary points.

Qualified South Africans have a much better chance of success now, as opposed to the previous system.

How are the UK immigration points awarded.

Points or score are awarded for different characteristics. Some of these may be lifted on a case by case basis.

For example, some individuals, based on their skillsets or qualifications, may be eligble for a visa even without a UK job offer.

But generally, this is how the points will be awarded.

Characteristics Tradeable Points
Job offer from approved sponsor No 20
Job at appropriate skill level No 20
Speaks English at required level No 10
Salary of £20,480 – £23,039 (R424,055 – R476,900) Yes 0
Salary of £23,040 – £25,599 (R476,900 – R530,070) Yes 10
Salary of £25,600 or above Yes 20
Job in a shortage occupation Yes 20
Education qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job Yes 10
Education qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job Yes 20

The UK is already the top destination for South African immigrants, and should the new visa system work as advertised, it should hold that position.

Read: Travelling With Pets To South Africa.. Everything You Need To Know

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