STA Travel South Africa and UK-based Smooth Group Limited (owned by Charterhouse Group International) have joined forces to offer South Africans going to work in the UK a package that gives them up to 40% cash back on their air ticket when they start working in the UK. The package also sets them up with a legal UK bank account at a leading UK bank, an appointment to get a National Insurance number and provides them with a UK cell number – all before they leave South Africa.
“This unique package is a first for South Africa,” explains STA Travel's MD Sean Hough. “The cash-back portion is a legitimate UK tax benefit. As part of the package travellers join a recognised financial umbrella company before purchasing their ticket and the cost of their flight becomes a business expense. Once they start working in the UK, as much as 40% of the cost of their ticket will be refunded within six to eight weeks.”
Travellers also receive an appointment to secure a National Insurance number, a UK bank account and a UK cell number.
“Having a legal UK bank account in their own name means that you don't have to travel with a large amount of cash or travellers cheques. When you get to the UK, all you need to do is visit the local branch of the bank and collect your ATM card,” he says.
In the UK a National Insurance (NI) number is much like having a South African ID number, and is equally as much of an administrative nightmare to get! Hence, having an appointment to get a NI insurance all set up for you before you even leave SA makes applying for work, accommodation or opening an account, for instance, so much easier.
It is a fact that 40% of South Africans who apply independently for a UK working visa are refused. There are 82 UK visa options from which to choose, with the most popular being the Working Holiday Visa, Ancestral Visa and the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa. STA Travel (http://www.statravel.co.za) has in-house immigration consultants to advise travellers on their best options.
A selection of Smooth Landings packages are available from R390. (The basic package includes the 40% cash back, the UK bank account and the UK cell number.)
For more information contact Sean Hough on 082 902 0111 or go to the company website.
