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March 9, 2025
The Retrieval of the Retention Letter
I’ll admit, when I first began my emigration journey, the retention letter was far from a priority. In fact, I didn’t even realize I needed it until I did some deeper research just before we prepared to leave South Africa. It’s a document that only becomes necessary after you’ve spent five years living and working in the UK and are ready to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and, eventually, a British passport.
Keagan Bush
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Moving as a Family
The decision to pack up and move to the UK has been something that has been in the pipeline for quite some time. In fact, after we both matriculated from high school, we initially thought that maybe we’d take a gap year and head over to the UK for a bit. It seemed like an incredible opportunity at the time—a chance to explore, experience life, and maybe even see where the journey could take us. But, as it often goes, life had other plans. With the lack of documentation and the reality of financial constraints, we found ourselves nowhere near ready to pack our bags, let alone jet off for a holiday or a year abroad. So, the idea was shelved, and life carried on.
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Why We Decided to Emigrate to the UK
Emigrating as a family is one of the most challenging yet incredibly special parts of our journey. The idea of moving to the United Kingdom had always been on our minds, but the timing never seemed right—until now. For as long as I can remember, we had discussed it, but it always felt like a distant "one day" plan. Little did I know how quickly that day would come.
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The Toll of Independence on Our Emigration Journey
For those of us who thrive on planning every detail, the journey of emigration has been a real test of patience, trust, and flexibility. We are the type of couple who love knowing exactly what’s next, where we’re headed, and how we’ll get there. But this journey? It hasn’t been that simple. Instead, it’s been a reminder that sometimes, you just can’t plan everything.
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How We Help Domestic Workers in South Africa After Emigration
When you make the decision to emigrate, it’s not just your family, friends, and colleagues you leave behind. For many South Africans, their domestic workers have become an integral part of their lives—caring for their homes, assisting with their children, and truly becoming part of the family. The thought of leaving behind someone who has been there through every move, every change, and every stage of life is heartbreaking.
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Staying Positive During Emigration Delays
Emigrating is one of the most exciting and transformative journeys you’ll ever embark on, but there’s no denying that the process can test your patience. One of the biggest challenges many people face is the waiting game—waiting for vital documents, relying on others for paperwork, and dealing with unexpected delays. If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably felt that sinking feeling of helplessness as time passes and you’re left at the mercy of others.
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When Selling Before Emigrating Goes Wrong: Our Scamming Story
When Bronwyn and I decided to start the emigration process, we knew we needed to get rid of things we didn’t need or couldn’t take with us. We started sorting items into categories: things to donate, things to sell, and things to throw away. It seemed simple at the time. One of the more painful decisions was selling my PlayStation, something I’d bought for myself for my 21st birthday. I had spent R13,500 on it, plus an extra controller. It was one of those things I had wanted for ages, so saying goodbye wasn’t easy. But with our move ahead, it was time to let it go.
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Saying Goodbye to Our Furry Friends
When we moved in together, Bronwyn wasn’t someone who grew up with pets, but Keagan had always been surrounded by animals. For Keagans 21st birthday, we decided to adopt a kitten—our first pet together, and one that would be special for both of us. We named him Cody. He quickly became a part of our little family. Later, we decided Cody needed a playmate, so we adopted another baby kitten and named her May. With two playful, loving kittens, our home felt complete.
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TB Test for the UK Application
When it came time for me to do the mandatory TB test for the UK visa application, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I understood it was required but wasn’t quite sure why or where to get it done. Fortunately, with a bit of help from Breytenbachs, everything turned out to be much easier than I thought.
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How We Handled Missing Documents for UK Visa
Starting the emigration process to the United Kingdom can feel like stepping into the unknown. When we began our journey with the ancestral visa route, we had no idea how essential the documents would be to our timeline. While we were thrilled to hear that the ancestral visa was a great option for us, we didn’t anticipate the hurdles we would face along the way, particularly when it came to retrieving vital documents.
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