Send money back home if you already have an account.


Start saving money to help you through the first few months, whilst you’re looking for work, outfitting a household,
buying a car and also to cover moving expenses. 


Make sure you have all your papers in order.  Do you have your SA passport, does  your kids have passports, has
your foreign spouse got a visa, is your SA citizenship in order, is your passport valid, do you have an SA ID book.


Do a trip to see where you want to live and where you want to work, as well as where your kids will go to school.


Book your flight home – it will give you a tangible goal to work towards.  Flights booked in advance usually cost a
little less. 


Open a South African bank account and transfer money to increase your credit score.

Start researching the job market back home to see if your skills are in demand.  Check out jobsites, speak to
employment agencies and headhunters, identify companies you want to work for and get in touch. 


Sort out your South African drivers lisence.


Chase up with companies you are interested in working for.

Research starting a business back home if you want to be an entrepreneur.


Research all the tax regulations there are in terms of moving your money to SA.


Get your CV up to date. 


Consider the cost of buying a car in South Africa or shipping your current vehicle home.


Cancel all bills in your name if you live in a communal environment – you don’t want bills arriving in your name when
you are gone as you will be liable.


Research removals companies for the best service to get your stuff home.


Ship your goods back home – it takes a few months to get there.  Don’t pack anything you need to use in that time.