2 things
Thing #1: Draft for the entry I talked about here. Thanks to thischarmingmeg and thekumquat for most of it, I copied your comments and really didn't need to add much.
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. Are you a recent graduate or student on summer break? If yes, then check out the BUNAC, where you can obtain a 6 month work visa to work in the UK.
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. You may be able to stay longer through the International Graduates Scheme or Scotland's Fresh Talent Scheme. 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.
4. Do you have one or more degrees and earn at least $55,000 a year? You may qualify for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.
4a. You may also qualify for the HSMP if you are under 27, make $40,000 per year and have earned your graduate degree in the UK, or if you graduated from a top 20 US MBA program.
5. If you work in a Shortage Occupation, you may be able to obtain a work permit.
6. Are you the child of a British citizen? You are probably eligible for citizenship by ancestry. If you are the child of an EU or Commonwealth (e.g. Canadian) citizen, there may also be other options for you, such as the Working Holidaymaker visa.
7. 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.
8. Are you 17, broke, unqualified but OMG just LOVE England!!!111!!!?
If so, go get a degree and then see the other options. If you don't want to, forget it. The UK already has enough useless teenagers.
8a: If you are 17, broke, unqualified and post on this community without having read this entry, we reserve the right to take the piss mercilessly until a mod sees the post and deletes it. Think of it as a useful introduction to British culture. :)
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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(Anyone have any tips on how to address the rare few who are working in a field that the UK actually needs more of? How should it be worded?) The text on the userinfo would say, "Thinking of moving to the UK? STOP! READ THIS FIRST. (which would link to the entry)
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Thing #2--and this is random: Anyone know how to get British academic regalia? I'm in the US now, but I could probably have someone on the other side of the pond mail it to me. I've recently accepted a position at a US university, and I need stuff to wear to graduation. I know about Ede and Ravenscroft, but it seemed to cost a fortune just to rent the things, and I can hardly do that from here. I just want the damn MA hood; I could probably get a black gown over here.
Okay, okay, the real reason I have to find this hood is because the Leeds colors make me look like I belong in Slytherin. ;)
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. Are you a recent graduate or student on summer break? If yes, then check out the BUNAC, where you can obtain a 6 month work visa to work in the UK.
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. You may be able to stay longer through the International Graduates Scheme or Scotland's Fresh Talent Scheme. 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.
4. Do you have one or more degrees and earn at least $55,000 a year? You may qualify for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.
4a. You may also qualify for the HSMP if you are under 27, make $40,000 per year and have earned your graduate degree in the UK, or if you graduated from a top 20 US MBA program.
5. If you work in a Shortage Occupation, you may be able to obtain a work permit.
6. Are you the child of a British citizen? You are probably eligible for citizenship by ancestry. If you are the child of an EU or Commonwealth (e.g. Canadian) citizen, there may also be other options for you, such as the Working Holidaymaker visa.
7. 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.
8. Are you 17, broke, unqualified but OMG just LOVE England!!!111!!!?
If so, go get a degree and then see the other options. If you don't want to, forget it. The UK already has enough useless teenagers.
8a: If you are 17, broke, unqualified and post on this community without having read this entry, we reserve the right to take the piss mercilessly until a mod sees the post and deletes it. Think of it as a useful introduction to British culture. :)
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).
----
(Anyone have any tips on how to address the rare few who are working in a field that the UK actually needs more of? How should it be worded?) The text on the userinfo would say, "Thinking of moving to the UK? STOP! READ THIS FIRST. (which would link to the entry)
---
Thing #2--and this is random: Anyone know how to get British academic regalia? I'm in the US now, but I could probably have someone on the other side of the pond mail it to me. I've recently accepted a position at a US university, and I need stuff to wear to graduation. I know about Ede and Ravenscroft, but it seemed to cost a fortune just to rent the things, and I can hardly do that from here. I just want the damn MA hood; I could probably get a black gown over here.
Okay, okay, the real reason I have to find this hood is because the Leeds colors make me look like I belong in Slytherin. ;)