Moving to South Africa from Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha to South Africa — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha to South Africa.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha to South Africa, based on official data.

Living there in 2020
269 ↑ 16% vs 2015

people born in Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha live in South Africa · UN DESA

Who's moving to South Africa?

Top countries of origin for South Africa's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha to South Africa.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

SH
0.0
ZA
45.5

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha performs better than South Africa across all safety metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

SH
18.3
ZA
3.3
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

SH
37.6%
ZA
72.0%

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha generally does better on infrastructure, though South Africa leads in internet access.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

SH
14.0%
ZA
28.0%

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha performs better than South Africa across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

SH
80.5 yrs
ZA
65.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SH
19.2
ZA
25.9

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha performs better than South Africa across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha and South Africa. To live, work, or study long-term in South Africa, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check South Africa's immigration authority.

South Africa passport

South Africa passport holder visiting Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

Visa Free
South Africa passport holders can enter Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from South Africa?

Internet is rarely the blocker — South Africa has 3.3 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is South Africa safe for expats?

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha performs better than South Africa across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in South Africa is 45.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.0 in Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha.

What language do they speak in South Africa?

The official languages in South Africa are Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. In Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

SH ZA
Population 7,925 57,516,665
Currency Saint Helena Pound (SHP) South African Rand (ZAR)
Languages English Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +2 +27
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 10111