I want to immigrate to the UK. Any advice?
How should I go on about it? How and where do I apply? Do I even have a chance applying? I have no British ancestry, and no EU citizenships, just Canadian (which is a part of Commonwealth, so I really hope it counts as something).
Also, moneywise, how much money would I need to start? Where would be the best place to come and live? And are there some fields which are more likely to give me a well-paying job in a relatively short seraching period?
Anything and everything would be very much appreciated.
Answer:
I'm Canadian (from Toronto) and I've been living here in London for about six or so years.
Personally, I love it here! I love the proud British people, the vibrancy of London and the incredible history of the British Isles. There isn't a day that I look out the window on the way to work, and am not amazed by something I've seen, or someone I've spoken to.
There are only a few legal ways that I know, of legally entering the UK.
There should be quite a few more on the Working in the UK website (see below)
HSMP:
This is the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, which is a list of careers that are in critical demand in the UK.
In order to apply for this, there needs to be:
1. A certified job offer in hand.
2. Proof (via advertisements/interviews) that the Company requires you and only you to do that particular job.
3. No Criminal Record.
4. Losing your job/work entails losing your visa and your right to stay in the UK in 28 days, unless it is transfered to a new company.
I was able to get in on the HSMP (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme). It might be worth exploring if what you are studying is on the HSMP list. (See below)
Also, I believe that if you have a grandparent born in the UK (NOT the commonwealth) you can use that to apply for a Ancestry Visa, but a commonwealth connection doesn't really help unfortunately.
The links below have TONS of information on whats needed to work in the UK.
Money:
The UK is pretty expensive, and when I say pretty I mean VERY. Please try to ensure that you have a bit of cash stored away before you get here. I'd recommend at least about $9000 CAN, and the exchange rate sucks.
That should add up to about £4000 pounds, and should last about six months or so...depending on how frugal you are.
Whatever you do...don't do a comparison between what you can buy in Canada to what you spend in the UK. That way lies spooky madness! :o)
The XE link below should give you an idea about exchange rates.
Work:
Unskilled work is very hard to come across, due to the fact that there is a lot of competition, but if you turn on the Canadian charm you should do well. If you are skilled in any way, especially in Computers and have the experience to back it up...headhunters will be calling you morning,noon and night.
Also, this is one thing that a lot of posters are critically misinformed about...when you arrive in England, you have NO recourse to public funds. So, if you lose your job...you CANNOT claim any benefits. Please ensure that you have some money saved up!
Some things about London/UK that might throw you when you get here:
The UK is a pretty friendly place, but it takes a while for them to warm to you. London can be a bit unfriendly at first but outside of London...people are very friendly.
Also, get used to people assuming that you are American, after a while you learn to laugh about it :o)
Learn to get used to sarcasm, and more importantly learn to laugh at yourself. This is the UK, the birthplace of Monty Python, Blackadder and Witty remarks. The British have a fantastic sense of Humor.
If someone teases you at work in a playful way it means that they've actually gotten used to you.
Canada Day is massive here, go to a pub called the Maple Leaf on July 1st...and you will be swarmed by Canadians!
Also, it's a good place to stock up on Kraft Mac and Cheese and Trident Cinammon Gum! :o) It's a good place to go if you are feeling homesick.
Grey skies:
It's true. The weather here can be grey a lot of the days...but the great thing is that whenever the sun comes out it's almost like a party. Everyone becomes friendlier and happier.
Litter:
Get used to litter on the streets, unfortunately. I still after six years, find myself carrying my litter to a garbage can or taking it home to dispose of.
There is so much more that can be written about life in the UK!
I strongly suggest that you come here for about a week or so...just to see what its like before making the big jump.
Please e-mail if you have any questions!
learn polish
There are some fast track approaches to how you can come to the UK. I know a few international students via college and some of them have residency on that college. If you set your mind on learning just research on a particular place.
However, i think it may be expensive. Try researching through the net. You can contact me if you need help with the research even though I don't really know much.
Go to your nearest British Embassy they will be able to advise you, alternatively search British embassy on google and look on the net, personally i wouldn't go to England, i lived there for my first 25 years and i've only just got out, it's cold, boring and a dump, London is about the only place that is even remotely interesting!
don't.
We accept all comers at the moment. Our robust DSS can pay you for one year till you get sorted. You may not need a visa.
OHHHHhhhh you have every chance theres all types in the UK now, not to sound racist. You dont specify which country in the UK. You do realise its more than just England ?. To be honest, i would find a place you want to live in first, all areas have different life quality. Glasgow for example has the lowest life expectancy in europe. You wont want to live there. i think until your best bet is to figure out where exactly you want to live and go from there.
I think as a Canadian, your chances are better than most. As an American, it is very difficult to immigrate to the UK. And considering that I spend every summer in Scotland, I would love to retire there. I've listed two web sites. The first is the UK government's and the second is a visa service. I would be careful about the visa service - it may be on the up and up but you never know.
As to money, London ranks among the most expensive cities in the world. I would imagine service employment, such as being a waiter or waitress would be a quick way to start. I would imagine at least 4-5000 pounds seed money would be helpful.
Good luck!
I tell you what, I think you seriously need to reconsider coming to the U.K. Most people who live in England would leave if they could, but they can't because they can't afford too.
Tax's are higher than ever, house prices are very steep and crime is at an all time high, Our prisons are full, so we can't fit any criminals in, so instead of building new prisons, the government turns them loose.
Britain isn't what it used to be, I recommend that you come over here on a temporary basis first and just rent a place for a while, I guarantee after six months, you will be running to the airport screaming "Let me out of this s**thole!".
i wouldnt move here, this country has gone down hill over the last thirty years, i want to move out!!
How strange. Most Brits yearn to get out of this country, and Canada is a popular destination.
Why anyone would want to come to live in a country with grotty weather, sky-high taxes and a government that bends over backwards to ensure that victims of crime have less rights than criminals, is beyond me.
However, if you really want to come here, say you're from Asia or Eastern Europe and not only will they let you in, they'll also give you a free home and all the benefits you need. It may be at the expense of a needy British family, but hey, what does that matter?
OK, I've exaggerated and generalised the above, I have friends of many nationalities - the ones who have come here to try to improve themselves and to contribute positively to British society but sadly there are many who flock here with no intention of working or integrating; and some are indulging in criminal activities.
I think many British people feel that this once great nation is going downhill - fast.
wish i could get out the UK
are you sure that's what you want to do?
respect
shaz
The easiest way is to go to France, cross the channel and come in,saying you claim asylum; you will be given a house, food, a car and a cash handout.By the time they find out you're bogus, you will have disappeared and they won't know where to find you. Does this answer sound silly?? It has worked for thousands of others, why not you??
Oh, dear thumb down already.. some liberal lefty no doubt.
It's true mate even if you won't admit it!!See, Mick B agrees with me, that's the way to go!
you must be mad , canada is much better, we are overcrowded, filty dirty , full of everything wrong, stay where you are.
If you are under the age of thirty, why don't you apply for a Working Holidaymaker Visa? This will allow you to come for two years, working for up to a year. That will be long enough for you to most likely decide that the UK isn't so great after all!
Otherwise, the best advice must be to keep studying, with a high level of skills you can go practically anywhere in the world.
Good luck.
The best way is to definately not go through the official channels. If the government find out you will actually be some use to the country they will never let you in. Best bet is to rock up in the back of a lorry with all your worldly possessions in a carrier bag. Get out at Watford gap service station and just follow the crowd to the housing office where you will be allowed to jump the queue of patiently waiting Brits and be awarded your FREE house and given a livable income and a car! Easy.
I think you would be denied entry on medical grounds , you are clearly insane wanting to come to this country . I , and most of my friends would leave at a moments notice if we could ,(now far too old ) stay where you are, this country is not the place it once was and it will never be so again. Things will only get worse
i agree with "on the wagon" your get better treated, if your not british, and you cant speak English, your get loads of money from the Goverment, as unlike me, born in this country, cant get a job, can only claim £59.20 per week J.S.A. could go on, but dont want to be called "Ractist"
You're better off if you live in Scotland due to English taxpayer subsidies.
You aren't likely to be eligible until you have a qualification AND work experience. The UK is moving to a points based system of entry in Jan 2008 that's similar to the Australian system. As a professional in the field, I can tell you its going to be tough, like Australia.
The details of the new UK system aren't released yet. Talk to the people at www.immigrationunut.com in about three months and they can help you with advice to many countries. This firm is one of the biggest immigration agencies in the world.
They are Lawyers and Public Accountants and completely professional. They even own their own vocational training colleges to help people train for employment that will allow them to migrate to their target country.
Have you ever even been to the UK?
Attn: Representative,
How are you doing today , My name is Ric oh James and I owned a company
that sells Chinese and African Textile and fabric material in Hong
kong,
I am looking for a trustworthy representative in United Kingdom/Europe
that can help as a link between me and my client over there.i would
like to know if you are interested to work from home for us Rocky Textile
Limited needs a book-keeper or representative in the United Kingdom
and Europe,
so I want to know if you will like to work on line
from home and getting paid weekly without leaving or affecting your
present job? I presently run a Textile and fabrics firm in Hong Kong and
we need someone to work for the company as a representative/book keeper
in United Kingdom / Europe
My company produces various clothing materials, batiks, assorted
fabrics and traditional costumes.We have clients we supply weekly in United
Kingdom and Europe and my clients make payments for our supplies every
week in form of uk Checks or Bank Draft which are not readily washable
outside the United Kingdom and Europe,
so we need someone in the United Kingdom /Europe to work as our
representative and assist us in processing the payments from our clients and I
will pay him / her a weekly wage, by percentage. All you need to do is
receive this payment from our clients in the United Kingdom or
Europe and get it cashed in your bank or a cashing center then deduct your
10% and forward the balance to the company down here via money gram or
western union money transfer.
Our payments will be issued out in your name and you get them cashed in
your bank, deduct your 10% of the initial capital and forward the
balance to the company by money transfer. So all I need is to forward your
information to our numerous clients in the United Kingdom or Europe and
they will contact you before they issue payment in form of uk Checks
or Bank Draft then send it via courier or mail to you. If accepted I
will need
Your full name,
Address
And phone number
so we can forward it to our clients and they will start making
payments to you as the company representative in the United Kingdom or
Europe.
I WILL GET BACK TO YOU WITH AN EMPLOYMENT APLECATIONFORM TO FEEL.
AS SOON AS WE CONFIRM ANY PAYMENT COMING TO YOU, I WILL
LET YOU KNOW AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION TO SEND FUNDS TO
THE COMPANY VIA MONEY GRAM OR WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
NB:Please reply me via my yahoo Email : ricoh_123@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks and I await your sooner response.
Regards,
Mr. Ricoh James "CEO"
Rocky Textile Limited
Tell:(+ 44) 70111 39597
I find that I was as they call a ForR13 YEARS BUT THE TH,NK IS i NEVER ACT For R.if u are in a forR country it is best to not lose one self but to try to blend in..
The Immigration information post by website user , MyTend.com not guarantee correctness.
More Immigration Questions and Answers ...