Spike in Saffers leaving the country

In one year, there was a 364% rise in those wanting a second passport.

Woes of the failing economy at home drives locals to seek ‘golden’ visas.

Emigration experts are observing an increase in the number of South Africans emigrating, as the economy struggles and the global market grows hungrier for skilled immigrants.

Tax changes to become effective in March next year would see those retaining SA residency/ citizenship while working overseas being taxed twice on income, which may be contributing to the exodus.

Earlier this week, Xpatweb, an expatriate management network in South Africa, said it had seen af 364% increase since last year in South Africans expressing interest in applying for a second passport.

Director Marisa Jacobs said this was based on “the statistics of increased enquiries we have received. We are not sure if this is because of our prominence in the market or a reflection of the market as a whole”.

The apparently turbulent future of the country was “driving record numbers of South Africans to apply for second EU passports”. This option was increasingly being seen as plan B.

“South Africans are looking to their future and their children’s, so having the opportunity to study and work in any country across the EU is appetising.

“Ease of travel is also a key reason, with the SA passport allowing access to 102 countries, but excluding the world biggest economies such as the US, UK, Europe the Schengen area and Canada.

“A Cyprus passport allows visa-free travel to 169 countries, Greece 183, Malta 182 and Portugal 184.

Thus travel, education, employment, business opportunities and a better future are key reasons for the record numbers of South Africans in the past 12 months applying for EU passports.”

Global Migration SA managing director Leon Isaacson said second passports can be obtained by applicants “who have family roots in specific countries, and by those who qualify based on investment, net worth and skills.”

Peter Farmerey, from international moving company Buddulphs International, said only the more wealthy South Africans would be able to obtain citizenship through an investment.

Jacobs said that to meet the requirements to financially emigrate, one must intend to move abroad permanently.

“The process includes a SA Revenue Service and Reserve Bank process and largely depends on a person’s circumstances.”

South Africans were also setting their sights on Mauritius, which required an investment of $100 000 (R1.5 million).

–