Immigration to the UK.

EXreaction · July 3rd, 2007, 05:05 PM

I can't find out much for requirements to immigrate to the UK from the US online anywhere, it just looks like you would go to a UK embassy and apply for the right to abode there.

Anyone have some more info they can give me on it? The nearest place I could go to for more information on immigration is in Chicago, which is a long ways away, and they charge $2.50 per minute to talk to them on the phone for information.

I am guessing the first thing I should do is go get a passport, what would one need to do in order to get a passport ASAP and not have the 6+ month wait there normally is?

surreal · July 3rd, 2007, 08:23 PM

I feel like a freaking travel agent!

http://www.workpermit.com/uk/uk.htm

http://www.workpermit.com/

butch81385 · July 3rd, 2007, 08:37 PM

Are you looking to live there permanently or just as an extended stay?
Either way, here is information directly from the UK:
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/

Make sure you save up some money before you head over there as things seem really expensive due to the current exchange rate (once you get settled and find a job it will be better as you will be making money in the same currency, but until then expect to find things at least double what you currently pay, and expect things in centre city London to by about 3 times your normal rate (or approximately double the rate in New York). Also, don't forget your left handed umbrella (gotta keep the right hand open for the pint) and to brush up on the rules of Football (soccer), Rugby (both League and Union), and Cricket (their equivalent to baseball: a fairly slow game that is much better with a beer in hand).

Personally I am biased towards the city of Leeds (or anywhere in Yorkshire for that matter) but most people like the hustle and bustle of London. York is a very nice city as well. I absolutely loved England while I was over there (4 months studying abroad) but think I would miss the US too much.

butch81385 · July 3rd, 2007, 08:50 PM

Oh, and from my understanding, the "Right of Abode" is only for British citizens and people with legal claim to live in the UK (i.e. being born there or having a parent from there).

I would say that your two options to legally move to the UK would be to either apply to be a British National or get a Work Visa on your passport which will allow you to visit over there and get a job, then once you have an employer, I believe your employer can apply for a work permit for you for an extended stay (not 100% sure on this one). I also do not know how long a regular Work Visa lets you stay there.

electric · July 3rd, 2007, 10:20 PM

http://www.britainusa.com/visas/index_visa.asp?i=41000

check your local paper may be teaching positions for the UK
our local paper has them all the time

EXreaction · July 3rd, 2007, 10:21 PM

Those links don't work surreal...

I'd like to move there to become a national. But I guess I need to get my passport first.

I guess I'd have to get a passport, get a work visa, move over there and work, then apply to become a national? How long could you stay over there if you just had a passport (though I guess I'd never be able to afford being over there without a job to start, unless I knew I could get a job within a month or two)?

I was looking at apartments, and it's crazy expensive in London, about $2,000 USD per month for a small place. But if I could get a nice job there I wouldn't mind paying that much (or, London does have a nice rail system, correct? I could live further out and pay less for rent then).

Time to look into what they have for public transportation.

electric · July 3rd, 2007, 10:28 PM

her links load here; using IE

EXreaction · July 3rd, 2007, 10:29 PM

Ok, if I go get my passport and decide to move sooner than it gets here, it sounds like I can call up an office that handles passports and let them know about it, then they would put a rush on finishing my passport and sending it to me, right?

I could go and apply for a passport tomorrow...

EXreaction · July 3rd, 2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electric

her links load here; using IE

Hmm, now it works.

butch81385 · July 3rd, 2007, 10:51 PM

EX, you can pay extra to get your passport rushed. As for how long you can stay there on a passport it depends. If you go over without a visa (like I did) you can only be there for 6 months. If you want to stay longer than 6 months you will need a visa and I think might have to pay taxes (since you will be eligible for their national health care). I know of Student Visas and Work Visas. I am not sure what the limitations are on each so you will have to go through the link I provided to get more info (I am on a crappy wifi signal here and it is about the speed of dialup so I can't look things up fast). As for public transportation: England has a wonderful train system and a great bus system. Only half of my friends over there had a license and less than half of them had their own car as owning a car is very expensive over there. If you are just visiting (or before you move over there) you might want to look at getting a Brit Rail pass (only available to non EU citizens) which allows for flexible and cheap rail travel. As for apartments you will have to start using their lingo to find more (and better) options: You will be looking for a flat to let (as opposed to an apartment to rent).

I may not be the best source of info since I only spent 4 months over there, but let me know if there is anything I can help with.