🧳 The South African emigration checklist
Documents, money, tax and practical admin to sort out before (and just after) you leave South Africa.
Updated 4 October 2026
Moving overseas is far easier if the paperwork is done while you are still in South Africa. Plenty of things that take an afternoon in Joburg take months from London or Perth. Use this list to plan your last few months at home.
1. Documents to get while you're still home
- Unabridged birth certificates for everyone in the family, plus an unabridged marriage certificate. Most visa and citizenship processes abroad ask for these, and Home Affairs can be slow to issue them, so order early.
- Police clearance certificate from the SAPS Criminal Record Centre. Visa authorities usually want one issued within the last 6 to 12 months, so check timing against your application.
- Apostilles or legalisation. Countries that are party to the Hague Apostille Convention accept documents apostilled by DIRCO or the High Court. Ask your destination which documents need it.
- Qualifications. Get certified copies of degrees and academic transcripts, and a SAQA verification if your profession needs it. Many countries run their own skills assessment as well (see our job hunting guide).
- Driving. Get an International Driving Permit from the AA and find out whether your new country lets you swap your SA licence for a local one.
- Medical and school records, including vaccination cards for the children.
- Passports. Renew any that will expire within two years. Renewing at a mission abroad is possible but slower (see passports & IDs abroad).
2. Money and tax
- Decide whether you will cease South African tax residency and get advice before you go, not after.
- Keep at least one South African bank account open. You'll need it for SARS refunds, retirement funds and family.
- Tell your medical aid, insurers and retirement funds your new contact details. Cancel debit orders you won't need.
- Set up a cheap way to move money between countries.
3. Practical bits
- Port your cellphone number to a cheap prepaid or "keep my number" plan. Banks and SARS still send OTPs to your SA number.
- Get a written reference from your current employer, plus your landlord or agent if you rent.
- Pets: the import rules (rabies titre tests, quarantine) can take six months or more for countries like Australia and New Zealand.
- Join a local Saffa community where you're headed. Browse country pages and upcoming events.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Requirements change, so always confirm with the official authority or a registered adviser.