Moving to London from America: Work Visa ?

[Chris Sanders MSX]

Hi guys. I know it's been a while but life's been crazy and I've made a few decisions and had a few opportunities I wanted to share. I also have one huge question that I'll just get right into:

I'm planning to move to London in September of 2008. I am American and have never really done this type of thing but I've decided to go out on a limb and take a chance. I have ambitions of working at an advertising agency or magazine and getting a job at a bookstore to make rent until that happens.

However I know I will need a Visa, or Worker Permit or Student Permit, BUT I have absolutely no clue what process I have to go through to obtain one of these. Where would one go? And how long will it take get one approved for someone who has a college degree, work experience (5 years) and nothing to really hold him back on his records.

[DarthGonzo]

I don't know, man. You don't really seem to have an absolute concrete plan here. A move like this is a major one, and you might be getting in over your head.

Though the situation is a little different...here's a little story for you. Two years ago a friend of mine fell in love with someone from England through a Star Wars chat room. He had a really good job there and was paid good money. He paid her a visit once and they got engaged. Several months later he made a spur of the moment to leave everything (including his daughter) behind and move to America to be with my friend, and they got married less than two months later. However, it look him a full year to get his work visa, and all his work experience in the UK seems to mean nothing right now as he's working retail since this past December/January at a Radio Shack. Now of course I'm not saying this is going to happen to you, but be prepated for anything. My friend and her husband thought they were going to live happily ever after once they got married. That hasn't happened, and probably won't happen for a long time. And keep in mind two things: 1) American money is worth half in the UK than it is here and 2) Have an exit strategy in case this doesn't work.

I'll reiterate...it doesnt sound like you've thought this through.

[Chris Sanders MSX]

I've actually considered all of this.

I already know about the dollar to pound exchange and have alreday begun to save up money before I leave. I plan to make around 10 thousand dollars or more and save that up before the end of September. Working 2 jobs and graphics/videography freelance will easily allow that. I've also begun correspondence with Leo-Burnnett London, and other freelance graphics organizations via Craigs List, direct responses and other job sites. I'm also looking to start the process of getting my visa now, so that the wait time is less. The longer I stay here the more coushin money I build up. Plus even when I travel I don't loose my jobs, but I'd like to work in an office eventually.

Also I go to a liberal arts college, focusing on Graphic Design and International Marketing which translates very well abroad. My education being based in America shouldn't hinder me too much.

I have a friend with duel citizenship, and she's going to help me find a flat and a few contacts. So I'm well prepared. I'm just completely ignorant to the entire work visa, student visa process. In fact I'm trying to get my student visa because it's cheaper and clears faster, if i decide to continue my (grad)schoolling in the UK.

Anyway can anyone at all tell me the process and what I have to do?

I just want to know where I have to go, who I have to talk to, how much it costs,

[The Guitar Slayer]

First thing's first -- how long do you intend on being there? Is this a permanent thing or "a year abroad" type deal?

Have you ever been to England before? For how long?

If you've never set foot in the country before, stop right there. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Never move to a place you've never been to before without a safety net. I first lived in England with a group from my school along with instructors and a graduate resident. Second time, I lived with my friend's family. This time, I am flying solo, but I do have loose contact with people from university as well as a place in Uni housing. I've been here and lived here long enough to decide whether I want to stay here permanently or not.

As to school vs work, you need to know BEFORE you go what the heck you're doing. You need to be accepted to a school with a letter saying, "Hi, he's coming to our university, and yes, he is taking classes" if you want the student visa. Your tuition bills MUST be paid in advance or have someone swearing to God and on their mother's grave that they will pay. The Visa process is not hard within itself, but you need to make sure you stick to what you write down on the application.

I'm not too clear about a work visa, but the student one does allow you to work up to 20 hours a week. You will need to take care of National Insurance, among other things, once you get over there.

Chris, you're a smart guy. Just make sure to give this a good think.

[Juu-kuchi]

My advice to you...

-Visit England first and foremost.
-Examine the Home Office (http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/) website.
-Examine the British Embassy (http://www.britainusa.com/) in the United States, and look into the nearest consulate for guidance.

[Chris Sanders MSX]

I've visited before, never stayed for more than a week but I know it's a place I want to be, for more than a few reasons. For one thing it's better for me professionally, and even socially. England as whole is way more accepting of black people than America. Or at least thats what I read, have been told from friends living there and friends who used to live there.

I plan to live there for at least 5 years. I initally was only going to go for a work visa but someone told me to try for my school visa, so i figured I'd bring that up to cover all my bases. If what you guys say is true then I won't even bother for now.

Being that I'm graduating in May I only really want my work visa so that I can pay my rent once my coushin money dries up. (Just in case my freelance opportunities start to fall.)

[Chris Sanders MSX]

So i've been looking over that site and am slowly becoming more and more confused. So do I need a work permit and a visa ? Or just one of them?

The way I've grasped it is, for me to obtain my job at Leo Burnett I will need to have them want me enough to get me a work permit. But what if I just want a simple book clerk job? Would I need a visa for that ? Or would I need to have the bookstore order me a work permit. Gah. This process is making me feel over my head as someone stated but I'm sure it's not that bad.

I know of people who have made this work so it's not impossible. I'm just a little confused haha.

[The Guitar Slayer]

Like I said before, you need to know for sure if you're going to go to school there. If you are, then all you need is a student visa. HOWEVER, if you have the student visa, you can't work more than 20 hours a week.

In terms of a work thing (if you intend on working more than 20 hours a week), yes, the company has to hire you and get the permit for you to go over there and work. I weaseled my way around that by using BUNAC, but that blue card is only good for 6 months. You would have to return to the States after that time.

So yes, either way, you need to know exactly what you're doing for how much time. If it's work, you need to get the job first and get the permit through the job. If it's school, you need to get accepted to a program and then on your own get the visa using the documentation and proof they give you.

[Chris Sanders MSX]

Like I said before, you need to know for sure if you're going to go to school there. If you are, then all you need is a student visa. HOWEVER, if you have the student visa, you can't work more than 20 hours a week.

In terms of a work thing (if you intend on working more than 20 hours a week), yes, the company has to hire you and get the permit for you to go over there and work. I weaseled my way around that by using BUNAC, but that blue card is only good for 6 months. You would have to return to the States after that time.

So yes, either way, you need to know exactly what you're doing for how much time. If it's work, you need to get the job first and get the permit through the job. If it's school, you need to get accepted to a program and then on your own get the visa using the documentation and proof they give you.


So it's impossible to move there and then get a job at a bookstore or something smaller? I'm not sure if that's true, cause I know of people who take a small sum of money and a suit case and travel to Europe and work in coffe or retail shops after some time.

I know for sure I want to work. But I'd like to be able to shop around once I'm there. Is that impossible ?

[Kenshirou]

You're not crazy for wanting to do this... I plan to do the same. I just want to move to the EU REALLY BADLY. Right now I don't have a solid plan due to the fact that I'm going to be ending my 2nd year of college soon, and I don't have any idea as to what I'll be doing next. Hope this works out for you.

[The Guitar Slayer]

So it's impossible to move there and then get a job at a bookstore or something smaller? I'm not sure if that's true, cause I know of people who take a small sum of money and a suit case and travel to Europe and work in coffe or retail shops after some time.

I know for sure I want to work. But I'd like to be able to shop around once I'm there. Is that impossible ?

The thing is, in order to get the visa, you would have to exit the country and reenter. You can't get the visa/permit to work while in country. When you come in through immigration, you receive a stamp on your passport. Unless you present the permit or the visa, you receive a stamp that says: "Visitor, 6 months, no recourse to public funds." That means no work benefits -- UK is partially socialized. You're not allowed to work. You have to exit the country and then reenter to get the proper stamp.

Also, if your friends did that, then they may have been working under the table, so to speak. Illegally. You're supposed to file taxes and National Insurance once work starts. I believe it's the holidaymaker and BUNAC visa that would allow you to come in and grab a job, but that's short term only. You can't build a life there.

The visa also requires you to send your passport off to Embassy in NYC, I believe. There might be one closer to you, but I'm not sure. The visa is printed on the passport itself. I'm not so sure how the work permits go, being as I never got one. I would expect, though that you would receive it in the mail and present it at immigration.