Rising costs and stricter rules in UK immigration lead to shift from retirees to young professionals – Mishal Patel

The United Kingdom has long been a preferred destination for South Africans eager to expand their horizons by living and working abroad. In many areas, such as Wimbledon, it's common to hear Afrikaans spoken. However, under pressure to reduce migration numbers, the UK government has recently tightened its immigration rules. Mishal Patel, Director of Citizenship and Immigration at Sable International, identifies the escalating costs as the most significant change impacting South Africans. In an interview with BizNews, Patel said increases in the  Immigration Health Surcharge, stricter family visa requirements, and limitations on students bringing dependents to the UK have resulted in a 5-6% decrease in immigration interest. He says there has been a noticeable shift in the demographic profile of South Africans looking to emigrate, moving away from retirees towards younger professionals. Despite these changes, the UK continues to demand healthcare, hospitality, and construction professionals. To support individuals considering relocation, Sable International will host a series of Expos across South Africa in November. The immigration specialists have also introduced a new Refusal Review Service to assist people whose passport applications have been refused.