WARNING: May contain humour--with a u, damnit.
Welcome to brits_americans! So, you're thinking about moving to the UK, eh? Before posting any questions you might have, please look over the following questions:
1. Are you a current student? If yes, then study abroad through your university. If your university does not offer a study abroad program, it may be possible for you to study abroad through a different university and transfer your credits.
2. If you are looking for information on the BUNAC work exchange program, go here.
3. Are you an aspiring student? If yes, then apply to UK universities through the UCAS system if you're going to be an undergrad, or directly through the university you're interested in for graduate study. Information on requirements for student visas can be found here. Please be aware that the rules for student visas will be changing to a points-based system in March of 2009, and you may want to check with your university to see how it handles these regulations.
4. You may be able to extend your stay through the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme or Scotland's Fresh Talent programme. More information can be found here, specific requirements here. Feel free to ask questions about study abroad here or in nor_am_uk_ac and colddampgrad, both great communities dedicated to North Americans wanting to study in the UK.
5. Depending on your professional and educational background, you may qualify as a highly skilled worker. More information can be found here, and you can use the Home Office's points calculator to see if you are eligible. Generally speaking, you will need at least a graduate degree to qualify; your minimum current salary scales depending on your age.
6. You can find a link to shortage occupations in the UK here. You may find it easier to obtain a work permit if you are involved one of these professions.
7. Are you the child of a British citizen? You are probably eligible for citizenship by ancestry.
8. Working Holidaymaker visas for Commonwealth residents are no longer available.
9. Are you the significant other of a Brit and looking to take the plunge? Look into a fiance, civil partnership or spousal visa (depending on your situation--more info here). Unfortunately there's no way for international couples to have that "get to know each other" period, other than through the options described above.
To sum up, you can't just move to the UK and hope you can find a job. If you're thinking about moving to the UK, just remember the process is tedious in just about every route you go through, even if some of these situations apply to you.
That said, if you *are* in a situation where emigrating to the UK is a viable option, please feel free to post questions in this community. Many of our members have studied abroad, worked abroad, or married British citizens (or some combination of the three), and would be glad to share their experiences with you. Be sure to have a look through the community tags to see if your question has already been answered. We'd be glad to help with questions that may be a little less straightforward (e.g. moving to the UK on a spousal visa/student visa/work permit with a dependent).
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This post will be subject to change. As immigration laws tend to be. We'll do our best to keep it current, though. :) If the tone makes you a bit nervous, maybe you should reconsider being part of this community--almariel may have posted this, but the phrasing of the content was very much a group effort. A little bit on the snarky side is just how we roll. :)
Updated Feb 1, 2009
1. Are you a current student? If yes, then study abroad through your university. If your university does not offer a study abroad program, it may be possible for you to study abroad through a different university and transfer your credits.
2. If you are looking for information on the BUNAC work exchange program, go here.
3. Are you an aspiring student? If yes, then apply to UK universities through the UCAS system if you're going to be an undergrad, or directly through the university you're interested in for graduate study. Information on requirements for student visas can be found here. Please be aware that the rules for student visas will be changing to a points-based system in March of 2009, and you may want to check with your university to see how it handles these regulations.
4. You may be able to extend your stay through the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme or Scotland's Fresh Talent programme. More information can be found here, specific requirements here. Feel free to ask questions about study abroad here or in nor_am_uk_ac and colddampgrad, both great communities dedicated to North Americans wanting to study in the UK.
5. Depending on your professional and educational background, you may qualify as a highly skilled worker. More information can be found here, and you can use the Home Office's points calculator to see if you are eligible. Generally speaking, you will need at least a graduate degree to qualify; your minimum current salary scales depending on your age.
6. You can find a link to shortage occupations in the UK here. You may find it easier to obtain a work permit if you are involved one of these professions.
7. Are you the child of a British citizen? You are probably eligible for citizenship by ancestry.
8. Working Holidaymaker visas for Commonwealth residents are no longer available.
9. Are you the significant other of a Brit and looking to take the plunge? Look into a fiance, civil partnership or spousal visa (depending on your situation--more info here). Unfortunately there's no way for international couples to have that "get to know each other" period, other than through the options described above.
To sum up, you can't just move to the UK and hope you can find a job. If you're thinking about moving to the UK, just remember the process is tedious in just about every route you go through, even if some of these situations apply to you.
That said, if you *are* in a situation where emigrating to the UK is a viable option, please feel free to post questions in this community. Many of our members have studied abroad, worked abroad, or married British citizens (or some combination of the three), and would be glad to share their experiences with you. Be sure to have a look through the community tags to see if your question has already been answered. We'd be glad to help with questions that may be a little less straightforward (e.g. moving to the UK on a spousal visa/student visa/work permit with a dependent).
---
This post will be subject to change. As immigration laws tend to be. We'll do our best to keep it current, though. :) If the tone makes you a bit nervous, maybe you should reconsider being part of this community--almariel may have posted this, but the phrasing of the content was very much a group effort. A little bit on the snarky side is just how we roll. :)
Updated Feb 1, 2009