Why Some White South Africans Are Returning Home After Moving to the U.S.

For more than two decades, South Africa experienced a steady outflow of skilled professionals seeking new opportunities overseas. Many left for countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand in search of greater security, stronger economies and a better quality of life.

Today, a growing number are making the journey in reverse.

From families relocating after years abroad to professionals taking advantage of remote work, increasing numbers of white South Africans are returning home, challenging long-held assumptions that emigration is always a one-way journey.

The trend has gained renewed attention following U.S. President Donald Trump’s refugee program for white South Africans, with some returnees saying life abroad did not meet their expectations.

A Return to Familiar Ground

One of the most widely discussed stories is that of Andrew Veitch, who left South Africa in 2003 after surviving a violent carjacking and settled in California.

More than twenty years later, Veitch says he plans to move back to South Africa, explaining that he no longer feels safer in the United States. Speaking to Reuters, he cited concerns over gun violence and growing political tensions as factors influencing his decision.

His experience reflects a broader trend emerging among South Africans living abroad.

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs says around 1,000 former citizens have already reclaimed their citizenship through a new online restoration system introduced after changes to citizenship laws. Approximately 12,000 people have checked their eligibility, suggesting significant interest among expatriates considering a return.

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Why Are People Moving Back?

Migration experts say there is no single reason behind the increase in return migration.

Instead, many cite a combination of economic, personal and lifestyle factors.

Among the most common reasons are:

• Rising living costs in Western countries
• Desire to be closer to family
• Flexible remote work opportunities
• Better weather and outdoor lifestyles
• Concerns about crime and political polarization abroad
• Improved career opportunities within South Africa

For many professionals, remote work has made returning easier than ever. Some continue working for international employers while enjoying a lower cost of living in South Africa.

Recruitment agencies have also reported growing interest from skilled South Africans seeking employment back home.

Employment firm DNA Employer of Record says inquiries from white South Africans looking to relocate increased significantly during the past year, while recruitment company HomecomingEx has also reported a notable rise in applications from expatriates considering a return.

Trump’s Refugee Program Brought New Attention

The return migration comes as the United States continues implementing a refugee program introduced by President Donald Trump in February 2025.

The program prioritised refugee admissions for Afrikaners and other white South Africans after the administration argued they faced racial discrimination linked to South Africa’s land reform policies.

It represented a significant shift in U.S. refugee policy.

During the 2026 fiscal year, the vast majority of refugees admitted into the United States came through this program, while admissions from many other countries remained limited.

Supporters argued the initiative addressed concerns about discrimination against white farmers and Afrikaner communities.

Critics, however, questioned why one group received expedited refugee processing while tens of thousands of previously approved refugees from conflict zones remained unable to enter the country.

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What Does the Evidence Show?

The refugee program has also reignited debate over claims that white South Africans face systematic persecution.

South Africa’s government strongly rejects those claims, describing them as unsupported by available evidence.

Statistics South Africa reports unemployment remains substantially higher among Black South Africans than among white South Africans, while independent researchers say crime affects people across all racial groups.

Police data also indicates that farm attacks, although a serious concern, do not support claims of a coordinated campaign targeting white South Africans exclusively.

International organizations, including the United Nations Human Rights Office, have likewise said there is no evidence supporting claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa.

At the same time, South Africa continues to struggle with high levels of violent crime, unemployment and inequality, affecting communities across the country regardless of race.

More Than Politics

Migration specialists say focusing solely on politics overlooks the broader reasons people relocate.

For many returnees, the decision is deeply personal.

Some want their children to grow up closer to grandparents. Others miss South Africa’s climate, culture and sense of community.

Several families interviewed by Reuters said healthcare, education and housing costs compared favourably with those in the United States, while others appreciated the flexibility of maintaining overseas careers through remote work.

The growth of online employment has allowed many skilled professionals to earn international salaries while living in South Africa, making the move financially attractive.

A Changing Migration Story

For decades, South Africa’s migration narrative centred on people leaving.

Today, the picture is becoming more complex.

While many South Africans continue to seek opportunities abroad, an increasing number are deciding that home offers advantages they value more than life overseas.

Their experiences highlight how migration decisions are influenced by far more than economics or politics alone. Family connections, affordability, career flexibility and quality of life all play an important role.

As more expatriates weigh those factors, South Africa’s growing return migration may become one of the country’s most significant demographic trends in the years ahead.