A theme I come across often in Facebook posts, is where people, after moving abroad, say that they are surprised by the weather/taxes/how people live, etc., in their new countries.

Research is SO important. I understand that you can google temperatures and weather and still be blindsided by what it really feels like. And I know that there are things you never consider because they’re simply not within your “realm of normal”. I get that.

BUT, a lot of surprises can be avoided by doing research.

Things To Research Before Moving Abroad

Here’s a list of the most important things that you need to research before moving abroad:

Weather

There are so many sites online that will show you daily weather for the last year, temperature averages, hours of sunshine per month, and rain days per month. You can compare different cities across the world with each other by annual average temperatures, by month.

Ask those who live there how they cope with the weather. If you are active and willing to try new winter sports you will, for example, be much more likely to adapt to longer, colder winters.

Housing

Use Google images, maps, street views, etc. to get an idea of what suburbs look like. Yes, in many countries houses are much closer (and in some much, much, much closer) than in SA.

It isn’t bad, it is just different to what we’re used to.

In some areas you will be able to get more space by living further out of the city or by living out in the country, but this may not be an option for you.

We rented a house in Ottawa for a year. It was convenient, close to the park, lovely neighborhood, BUT we knew that it would be temporary as we needed more space to “breathe”. So, we KNEW that my husband would have to have a longer commute to work. If this weren’t an option, we would have made the best of it until that could change.

Government

Read online newspapers, listen to radio stations, research the political system and understand how it works.

If you are very conservative in your political views, then going to a country that is very left-leaning will probably not be for you.

Education

Check the level of education, but also get an understanding of how the school system works.

If you are all for the South African “short back-and-sides”, strict uniform rules, etc., then you will need to be aware that it is unlikely that you will get that in your new country. You will have to adapt or pay for a private school that meets those needs for you.

Research if sports are part of school, or usually played in clubs outside of school.

Years ago, there was a letter written to Huisgenoot by “Mev Dr. in Koue Kanada.” She voiced her severe disappointment in there not being any cricket and netball for her kids in the rural prairie provinces of Canada. A little research would’ve gone a long way!

Sports

If sports is super important to you and your kids: Go to a country where they can play that particular type of sport.

Yes, rugby is growing in Canada, but if rugby is your passion there are probably other countries that are better. Or be willing to try something else

Yes, club sports is more expensive than doing sport at school. So, prepare to budget for that.

Cost of Living

The Numbeo website is excellent for researching cost of living. It isn’t always 100% correct (for us and how we budget and spend), but it is an excellent place to get a good idea.

Pets

Pets usually have to be in quarantine for a while after moving abroad. Find out what the cost of that will be.

Also check how pets live, costs, vet costs, pet insurance, etc., in your new country.

Medical Costs

Some countries, like Canada, provide universal health care. Other countries, like the US, do not, and health care and health insurance can be very expensive.

Find out if there is federal/provincial health care. Make sure you understand how it works, and what the costs are, etc.

Taxes

Find out not only about income tax, but all those other “hidden taxes”, like sales tax, property tax, etc.

I’m sure there are a million other things but those are the big things off the top of my head.

Where To Get Information

To do your research, hit up your favorite Internet search engine. But be careful. Try to verify information with official sources and watch out for scammers.

Ask pointed questions in expat groups on Facebook if you have concerns. What may be a concern for you, may not be an issue for someone else, so they may never mention that. If you’re considering Austin, Texas, join South Africans in Austin (Texas). Other good groups are South Africans living overseas share their good and bad experiences and Immigration USA.

Good luck to you. Moving overseas can be tough, but it can also be the best move you ever made!

Medicare is the primary government health insurance program for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents age 65 and over. Most seniors are very happy with their Medicare insurance coverage; it covers hospital care, most outpatient doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and therapy, and there is a separate Medicare prescription drug plan to help pay for your medications.

If you are a new U.S. citizen, or permanent legal resident hoping to apply for citizenship soon, here’s what you need to know about the Medicare insurance program.

What are the different parts of the Medicare insurance program?

Your Original Medicare coverage includes Part A and Part B. Part A is your hospital insurance; it covers inpatient care in a hospital and short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility. It also covers hospice care and certain home health care services.

Part B is your health insurance and covers things such as doctor visits, outpatient tests, medical equipment and devices, and physical and occupational therapy.

Part C is the Medicare Advantage program. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies; you get both your Part A and Part B benefits in a Medicare Advantage plan. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage.

You cannot enroll in both Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan; you have to choose one option for your Medicare coverage.

Part D is the Medicare Prescription Drug program. It is voluntary coverage that helps pay costs for prescription medications. There is a separate monthly premium for Part D.

If you are enrolled in Original Medicare, you may also buy a Medicare Supplement Plan, or Medigap plan. These are optional plans that help cover your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare- covered health care services under Part A and Part B. You cannot combine a Medigap plan with Medicare Advantage, however.

Who is eligible for Medicare?

You are eligible for Medicare when you turn 65 if you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) who has lived in the U.S. continuously for five years. If you are under age 65 and receiving Social Security disability payments, you may qualify for Medicare earlier.

If you or your spouse has a qualifying work history, you may qualify for premium-free Part A. Everyone enrolled in Part B pays a standard monthly premium, although those with higher incomes pay an additional premium supplement.

Even if you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, you can enroll if you pay the monthly premium and meet other enrollment requirements.

You must be enrolled in Part A and/or Part B to purchase Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

Everyone who is eligible for Medicare coverage can enroll in Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D regardless of health status or pre-existing conditions. You do not have to pass a physical to enroll in a Medicare plan.

How do I apply for Medicare?

If you are already collecting Social Security benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare if you signed up for Medicare at the time you applied for Social Security. If you aren’t automatically enrolled, you can enroll up to three months before the month you turn 65, and for three months following your 65th birthday.

You can enroll online at www.SSA.gov, or in person at your local Social Security office. You can also call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to apply by phone.

If you want Medicare coverage, you should enroll when you are first eligible, because there is a late enrollment penalty if you sign up later. The penalty applies to your Part A premium, if you have to pay it, your Part B premium, and your Part D premium if you decide to enroll in prescription drug coverage.

If you choose Original Medicare and want to add Medigap coverage, it’s very important to buy a plan when you are first eligible. The Medicare Supplement Plan open enrollment period begins the month you are both enrolled in Part B and are 65 or over and lasts for six months. If you enroll during this period, you can buy any plan sold in your state at the lowest possible premium. If you wait to enroll and you have a pre-existing condition, you may be turned down for Medigap coverage.

How much does Medicare insurance cost?

In 2019, the Part A premium if you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A is $437. The standard Part B premium, which everyone must pay, even if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, is $135.50.

Private insurance companies offer Part D, so premiums may vary, but the average monthly premium in 2019 is $33.

Part C is also private insurance, so premiums vary. You may be able to enroll in a $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan, which means there is no additional monthly premium on top of your normal Part B premium. If your plan has a monthly premium, you will send one payment to Medicare each month for your Part B premium, and a separate payment to your insurer.

The federal government sets Part A and Part B premiums each year. They may increase slightly from year to year.

What do I pay for with Medicare?

Both Part A and Part B have deductibles. With Part A, there is a $1,364 deductible for each benefit period; you may pay this deductible more than once in a year. The Part B deductible is only paid once per year and is currently $185.

You may also pay coinsurance for certain covered services. With Part B, you generally pay 20% of the allowable charges. There is a daily coinsurance amount under Part A for inpatient stays lasting longer than 60 days.

Some services have a flat copayment, which is due at the time you get care at the hospital outpatient department or doctor’s office. You will either pay a coinsurance amount or a copayment, but rarely both.

Medicare Advantage plans have different cost-sharing systems. You usually have just one annual deductible, and most plans have a copayment when you see the doctor or get outpatient services.

Part D plans usually have an annual deductible and charge a copayment amount each time you fill a prescription. Again, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are private insurance plans, so you should check with each insurance company or a Medicare plan insurance agent for details about available plans.

Can I add my spouse and/or family to my Medicare plan?

Unfortunately, Medicare is individual coverage. You and your spouse will have to buy separate plans when you each become eligible. You can each enroll in a different plan or type of coverage if you like.

Children are not eligible for Medicare coverage.

Does Medicare cover all health care services?

Medicare covers most medically necessary services to diagnose and treat most illnesses and injuries. It also covers most preventive health care, including many vaccines, and annual wellness visits. Mental health services are also covered.

What it does not cover includes:

• Long-term care in a nursing home
• Routine dental care
• Routine vision care
• Routine hearing care
• Cosmetic procedures
• Most elective surgery
• Custodial care (custodial care is non-medical care for help with things such as eating, bathing, and dressing)
• Most prescription medications you take at home

Although you don’t lose any benefits with a Medicare Advantage plan, your coverage may be slightly different. Many plans include optional expanded benefits such as routine vision and dental care in addition to your Part A and Part B benefits.

What if I have more questions about Medicare insurance?

The Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program has information about your Medicare insurance options and how to get help paying for Medicare if you are eligible. If you have questions about specific plans available in your area, contact an insurance agent specializing in Medicare plans near you.

South Africa is a country in turmoil. Many people are making plans to emigrate. They don’t see a future for themselves there.

Immigration can be difficult though… especially to the USA!

This difficulty to immigrate to the US creates a problem. People become desperate. And when they become desperate, they become prime targets for immigration fraud and visa scams. The result can be that such people end up out of money, out of luck, or even in prison.

Here’s how to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of immigration fraud…

Immigration Fraud Exists

In case you’re wondering if immigration fraud exists, here are two examples of visa scams that South African expats in the US sucked unsuspecting people into…

The Woman in Idaho

A woman in Idaho is notorious for defrauding people and other entities. She was recently arrested on a large number of felony charges.

The story doesn’t end there. At the time of writing this, the investigation is ongoing… Among several other reported schemes, this woman also offered immigration services. I noticed that she used Facebook groups to find “business.” When people asked immigration questions, she would respond with, “PM me, I have options.”

Being aware of her reputation, I wondered what she was up to. Then people started sending me details… She would charge a few thousand dollars to register a US company for the person. She would be the company’s registered agent. At least in some cases, she then advised people to come to the US on tourist visas. Once here, the idea was to change status to L1 visas.

I ran the story by a trusted immigration attorney and he immediately told me, “visa scam!” One man lost the money he paid when she went silent after receiving the money. Another family got stuck in a foreign country after a failed entry into the US. They lost a huge amount of money in the process.

It is easy to find several people on Facebook who are fuming at this woman after dealing with her. Many believe she should go to jail, with the key thrown away!

[Update 2022: This woman was found guilty of identity theft and wire fraud and was sentenced to a few years in prison.]

The Man in Oklahoma

US authorities recently arrested a South African man in Oklahoma. The charges include several felony counts of human trafficking. Many young South Africans come to the US as non-immigrant seasonal workers on farms. Farmers file the proper paperwork for these guys and they work in the US on H2A visas.

According to the affidavit, this guy lured some workers away from the farmers where they worked legally. He promised them higher wages. Then he hired these guys out to local farmers without obtaining new visas for them.

The result was that these guys ended up stranded in Oklahoma. Without new visas, they lost their ability to work. This left them without money to support themselves or to return to South Africa.

[Update 2022: This guy has moved back to South Africa. He had a number of human trafficking charges filed against him, so it is possible that his return to South Africa was part of a plea deal with prosecutors.]

Attorneys Aren’t Innocent Either

While there are excellent attorneys out there, there are also some bad apples. Here are examples of what two immigration attorneys did to people who trusted them. (People with knowledge of these events sent this to us.)

The Attorney with Bad Service

A South African couple wanted to emigrate. They went to see an immigration attorney in Texas for a paid consultation. The couple wanted to expand their existing business into the US and get L1 visas.

The attorney gave them no useful information and had not prepared any documentation. The attorney kept on saying that the couple needed to enter the Green Card lottery and see if they got selected. Beyond that, the attorney was more interested in text messages and the next client. In the end, the couple felt cheated out of their money.

This example does not amount to immigration fraud, but only bad service. The couple then went to see another immigration attorney. There they got excellent service and had a wonderful experience.

The Attorney using Fake Companies

There is an immigration attorney on the East Coast who is reportedly up to some unsavory business as well. Someone wrote the following about this attorney:

This attorney is reportedly also quick to threaten unhappy clients with lawsuits if they talk about reporting the attorney to the state bar.

These examples illustrate that immigration fraud is real. Poor service in the immigration industry is real. People get ripped off if they aren’t careful.

How To Avoid Becoming A Victim

Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of immigration fraud:

Also, visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services resource for avoiding immigration fraud and visa scams.

What To Do If You Become A Victim

If you become a victim of immigration fraud, a visa scam, or a bad attorney, you could try to sue. You might not be successful, but it could be worth a shot. The next best thing to do is to report the person and let the law deal with them.

How to Report Immigration Fraud

Visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to report immigration fraud.

Reporting Attorneys

According to the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA), you have the following options:

You can also visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services for state-by-state information on reporting visa scams.

Bringing It All Together

Now you know that immigration fraud and visa scams are real. The key to not getting caught in an immigration scam is to be cautious with who you’re dealing with. Do your own research. Make sure that what you’re getting into, is legal. And if you become a victim of a visa scam or bad lawyer, report the bastard. It will help to stop them from scamming other people as well.

Please share this article far and wide. This has to stop!

If you have a comment to add, please do so below…

From the many email inquiries that we receive at SA-Austin.com, one thing is clear… emigration is a topic that comes up in many South African households.

This is not a new trend. South Africans have been moving to other countries in droves for at least a couple of decades. Politicsweb published an article that put the number of South African emigrants at more than 588,000 in 2010.

People have many reasons for wanting to leave South Africa, and it is typically thought that such a step will remove those issues from their lives. Depending on which country they go to, for the most part, that is true.

However, nobody should be under the illusion that emigration is easy. It is of course not impossibly difficult, but it is not necessarily a walk in the park.

Here are some of the issues that will come up…

Emigration… Which Country?

The first emigration question to consider is which country to emigrate to. You must have some sort of idea about whether you think you can live there happily. For example, if you simply can’t function in cold weather, Canada would not be a good choice for you. Do some homework on what life is like in the countries you are considering.

Visas

Some people think that you can simply show up at your new country with a tourist visa and move in. Not true! You need a specific visa that allows you to live and work in your new country.

Sometimes these can be very difficult to obtain. The USA is notoriously difficult to get into. If you win a Green Card in the Green Card Lottery, you’re set. If not, you will have to a find a job with an employer that is willing to sponsor a work visa (H1B). If you have an established business in South Africa and you want to open a branch in the US, you can transfer yourself to the branch on a L1 visa.

However you do it, the visa is critically important and can be a deal-breaker. Despite your preferences, you may be forced to pick a country where you can get the right visa.

Wrapping Up Your Affairs

Assuming that you have the correct visa for the country of your choice, the next step will be to wrap up your affairs in South Africa.

This may include selling your house and/or possessions. Some people ship their possessions to their new country, but this may not be practical if you don’t have many valuable possessions or your new country has a different electrical system.

You will have to wrap up your income tax affairs with SARS. This will include closing your old bank accounts and obtaining a new “blocked” bank account, as well as obtaining a tax clearance certificate from SARS (a certificate that states that all income taxes have been paid).

Your Family

Here comes the potentially sensitive part… your family and how they feel about your decision to leave.

Some families understand and support the new emigrants-to-be, but others don’t. They might not share your sentiments about your reasons for wanting to emigrate.

You will have to break the news gently, especially to parents for whom it can be a devastating thing to see their children go off.

Departure

Brace yourself for some strong emotions on the day of your departure.

You will be anxious because you’re heading into the unknown. You will also be sad because you’ll be saying goodbye to your family, not quite knowing when you’ll see them again. Your family, and especially your parents, will be anxious and sad for the same reasons.

After 20 years in the US, and several trips to South Africa to go visit, I can tell you that the goodbyes at the airport are still not easy.

Arrival In The New Country

When arriving in your new country, you will probably still feel a little anxious because of the unknown-thing, but you will probably also feel somewhat excited. There you are, standing at the beginning of something new and exciting, ready to take on the world.

After a few days, that feeling will likely subside and the reality of what you have done, will kick in. That is not necessarily bad, but you might feel somewhat lonely.

This is why it is a good idea to try to connect with other South Africans in the area as soon as you can. They will help to give you back that feeling of belonging that you need. These days it is quite easy to connect with such groups. Many of them have websites (like this one) or Facebook groups.

[Update] As Jurie Korkie suggests in the comments, it is also important to make some friends with locals in your new community. When they hear your accent, many will be fascinated and interested in your story. Look for social events or clubs in your area, or if you are religiously-inclined, join a local church.

The First 2 Years

In my experience, you need to give yourself at least two years to make peace with the fact that you are now living in a new country. You will probably question your move and sometimes feel sad about it. You may even strongly consider packing up and moving back home. Give yourself at least two years to get over these feelings and to adapt to your new home.

If all this sounds negative, it isn’t meant to be negative… it is meant to be realistic. It is meant to help you understand what you will be facing when you emigrate. It is meant to strengthen your mind to take on the challenges that you will be facing and to become one of the hundreds of thousands of people who have made a success of their emigration.

If you are considering emigration, I wish you all of the best   

Do you have an opinion on emigration, or an experience to share? Let us know in the comments…

Some might say, “So what? People have migrated for thousands of years and will continue to do so in the future!”

The thing is, South Africa’s emigration rate has been higher than what can be described as “normal migration” and there has been significant concern over the so-called “brain drain” – skilled people leaving.

Given the audience of this website, many of the readers of this blog fall into the category of people who have left South Africa in recent years to build a new life in another country, including the United States.

Ever wondered why? What are expats’ main reasons for leaving South Africa?

To all of you South African expats who have permanently settled elsewhere, I ask this… (Pick up to 2 answers, but if you have only one reason, pick only one.)

Vote in the poll and leave your comments below…

Once you reach that point, the question becomes, “Do I give up my South African citizenship, or do I go for dual-citizenship?”

There are some issues with both options…

Giving Up SA Citizenship and having US Citizenship Only

• You will be regarded as a foreigner in South Africa and will need to get a visa when you visit SA. (This is not a problem for the usual short-term tourist visas. You get those at the airport.)
• If you ever decide to move back to South Africa, you will need to apply with the SA govt for residence status and to regain your citizenship, i.e. you won’t simply be able to show up and settle.
• You will not have to go through the whole process of renewing your SA passport every few years, a process that can at times be frustrating.
• When visiting South Africa, since you will be there as an American, you will able to get assistance from the US embassy in the case of an emergency.
• You will no longer be subject to South African laws, e.g. possible military conscription obligations, or not being able to take your US-bought firearm into South Africa.

Keeping your South African Citizenship (Dual Citizenship)

• You have to renew your SA passport every few years. (As I said, sometimes the process can at times be frustrating.)
• You can go back to South Africa at any time you choose, whether to visit or live.
• When visiting South Africa, you have to enter South Africa as a South African (i.e. on your SA passport). This means you can’t take your US-bought firearm with you on a hunting trip because you won’t have a South African firearm license for it. You also won’t be able to get assistance from the US embassy in the case of an emergency.

There are probably more issues to consider, but these are the general ones.

So my question to you is this:

Tell us what you think, and feel free to add your thoughts as a comment below!

Then the questions arise: Should we give up our South African citizenship? Can we even be dual citizens of South Africa and the US? What are the implications of this? What are the requirements for obtaining dual citizenship? (There was some confusion about this last one!)

I will attempt to answer those questions here…

Before I continue, a disclaimer: I am NOT an immigration lawyer, so please don’t consider this to be legal advice. I am merely someone who has had to consider these issues myself. It is up to you to verify the current accuracy of this information. With that said, let’s continue…

Can I be a Dual Citizen of South Africa & the USA?

The short answer is “yes”.

South Africa allows its citizens to take on the nationality of another country without losing South African citizenship, but you have to apply to retain your SA citizenship before taking on US citizenship.

The US position is slightly less clear-cut. During the Oath Ceremony for US citizenship, you will state that you “renounce all foreign allegiances.” Some argue that this means that you are giving up your South African citizenship, but two things are important here: (1) The US Justice Dept has officially stated that it “tolerates” dual citizenship and has never gone after people who have not officially given up their original citizenship. (2) You do not lose your South African citizenship unless you officially renounce it by following the procedures laid out by the South African government.

Should I give up my South African citizenship?

That is entirely up to you. Some people retain their South African citizenship for sentimental reasons, and others do so for their own practical reasons. Others give it up in the knowledge that they get it back later if they choose to. (The South African government’s current requirement for regaining citizenship is that you move back permanently to South Africa.)

What are the implications of dual SA/USA citizenship?

If you are a dual citizen, the South African government requires that you enter and leave South Africa on your South African passport, and you may use your US passport for all other travel.

This means that when you go to South Africa for a visit, you are entering South Africa as a South African.

Should anything happen to you while you are in South Africa that you want the US to help you with, like somehow getting arrested, the US will probably not be able to help you because the South African government will have the right to insist that it is an issue between itself and one of its own citizens, and that the US has to butt out.

Also, if you own a firearm here in the US, you will not be able to take it along with you on a trip to South Africa (e.g. a hunting trip) because, as a South African, you are trying to take an unlicensed firearm into the country.

Those are the only issues that I am aware of.

What is the process for obtaining dual citizenship?

Here are the basic steps:

1. Apply with the South African government to retain your South African citizenship. Contact your closest SA consulate or embassy for details. If you live in Texas, contact the SA Embassy in Washington DC.
2. After receiving the permission letter back from the SA government, apply for US citizenship and complete that process.
3. Use your SA passport for all travel to South Africa, and your US passport for all other travel.

That’s process in a nutshell.

What was the confusion all about?

It was all caused by changes in the South African Citizenship Act of 1995.

Article 6 of the Act states that you have to apply for permission to retain your SA citizenship when obtaining other citizenship. Article 9 of the Act stated that you had to apply for permission to use the passport of a foreign country (as you would be doing after obtaining US citizenship).

Then, in Sep 2004, Article 9 was repealed. Many people thought that Article 6 was also repealed, when in fact, it was not. People thought they could become US citizens without having to deal with the SA government at all. Some people inadvertently lost their SA citizenship as a result of this!

So don’t forget to first obtain permission to retain your SA citizenship from the SA government before applying for US citizenship!

I hope you find this information useful. Remember, things change from time to time, and what I say here today may not be true tomorrow, so check your information as you go along. If you find any additional useful information, please post it below.