Demand for US visas in South Africa is growing quickly. Davies & Associates and Thomson Wilks partner to support this growth.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, October 14, 2020 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Global immigration and business law firm Davies & Associates has announced a strategic tie up with top South African law firm Thomson Wilks. The move cements Davies & Associates expansion into the South African market, where Thomson Wilks have strong capabilities in corporate and commercial law.

An increasing number of South African citizens are considering a move abroad, prompted by financial, educational, health and security concerns. Davies & Associates has a track record of moving families and businesses from South Africa overseas. The firm specializes in helping entrepreneurs seeking to expand or acquire businesses in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, and beyond.

South Africa is also a popular destination for foreign direct investment, with a government target of $100 billion in FDI by 2023. Thomson Wilks is positioned to support Davies & Associates clients seeking to expand their businesses to South Africa. Davies & Associates has a strong position in key markets, including India, which has burgeoning ties with South Africa. The two countries have registered a five-fold increase in bilateral trade over the past five years.

“South Africa has become an increasingly important market for our firm. The country has a strong business and entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a growing tradition for global mobility,” said Mark Davies, Global Chairman, Davies & Associates. “Through this strategic partnership with Thomson Wilks, we are able to provide stronger on-ground support to our clients across South Africa, and we are able to offer South African legal services to our clients from all over the world.”

The United States is becoming an increasingly popular destination for South Africans. The number of US student visas issued to South Africans has increased by a third over five years. Issuances of the H-1B visa for highly skilled workers has registered a 50% growth over the same period.

Yet it is the EB-5 Investor Visa that has experienced the sharpest growth of any visa category among South Africans. There has been a six-fold increase in the number of EB-5 visas issued to South Africans since 2014. This visa is a fast route to a US Green Card for individuals or families that are able to make a $900,000 investment. A Green Card offers a whole range of benefits, including the freedom to live, work, retire or study anywhere in the United States.

“South Africa is a unique demographic market,” added David Cantor, Global Director of Business Development for Davies & Associates. “I’ve had dozens of meetings throughout South Africa with a diverse range of individuals – these people have very deep-roots here and have all worked hard to get to their current stations. The idea of emigrating is not an easy decision to make.”

Fortunately, the timing may be right for certain merit-based visa categories for the United States, which are currently being adjudicated favourably in the current administration. In essence, these immigrant-based visas (i.e. Green Card) present a permanent pathway into the United States based on an applicant’s professional background and skillset – something that may be very appropriate for the educated and established professionals coming from South Africa.

Thomson Wilks has offices throughout South Africa, in Sandton, Durban, Cape Town and Claremont. The firm also has offices in Mauritius, a preferred business jurisdiction, financial services hub and gateway to Africa.

Davies & Associates has offices across the United States and throughout the world. Including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Istanbul, Florence, Rome, Mumbai, Delhi, Cairo, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

David Cantor
Davies & Associates
email us here
+1 212-537-9196
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Discover where Davies & Associates can take you