Wanting to move to the UK from the USA

matthkd · #1 (**permalink**) 16th December 2007, 02:45 AM

Hi! My name is Kelley and I live in Mississippi, USA. I am a graphic designer working for a college. I LOVE England and I want to move there to experience the culture in a more intimate way other than a tourist. I have been researching online about obtaining a work visa and I just have a few (maybe more) questions that hopefully someone will know the answers to. On the Visa application checklist it says that I need an address in the UK and an Itinerary. Since I am looking for a job while I am still in the USA, I do not have either of the above. Is it possible to look for a job in the UK while in the USA waiting for a visa? (I know that when applying for a job within the European Union, you must ensure that you are already authorised to work there.) Or, would it be better to get the visa and then move to the UK and start looking for a job?

I need help! I'm not sure what my first steps should be!!!

synthia · #2 (**permalink**) 16th December 2007, 06:58 AM

Welcome to the forum. I'm copying your post to the UK forum where you are more likely to get a response.

v19inc · #3 (**permalink**) 18th December 2007, 03:01 AM

Hello Matthkd, what response did u get from ur question? I have the same exact desires and questions as you...

matthkd · #4 (**permalink**) 8th January 2008, 12:47 AM

no one has responded. so, i'm still at a lost. maybe we can work together. my name is kelley. what's yours?

kaz101 · #5 (**permalink**) 8th January 2008, 12:58 AM

Hi Kelley,

I don't know anything about the visa process from USA to UK since we left the UK for Australia!

Do have any migration agents that can help you? In the UK there are migration agents that can help with visas. Do you have a similar thing in the USA?

Regards,
Karen

matthkd · #6 (**permalink**) 8th January 2008, 01:43 AM

i have no idea. they do have some places in the us that can help. but, the only problem is is that they are in different states. nothing where i live. I did find one that is located in the UK that can help. I just wasn't sure if I should do that or shop around locally.

Bevdeforges · #7 (**permalink**) 8th January 2008, 06:25 AM

When I came over to Europe from the US, I looked for a job first and then had my employer to do the visa stuff for me. But that was a while ago, and I suspect the rules have changed since then.

What I usually suggest is that you make a couple of vacation trips over first in order to scout out the job market for your profession. You can follow the market to an extent by referring to one of the Sunday London papers (often available a few days late in a bookstore or library) and scanning the employment ads. But to contact potential employers, you need to be available on site to take an interview should one develop - which usually means you have to be ready to book a trip at short notice. And the best way to interest an employer in your services is to have something "unique" to offer that make it worthwhile for an employer to want to go through the hassle of hiring a foreigner - experience, languages, etc.