How to Move to the UK
How to Move to the UK
#1How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 8:56am
Hey guys.
So, I'm seriously considering moving to the UK. Does anyone here have any advice on visas, citizenship, and becoming an Ex-Pat?
Thanks,
~ff~
#2How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 9:19am
It's just as difficult as moving to the US. Check the UK Border Patrol website, but I think the easiest ways are if you have relatives there to sponsor you, you're seeking asylum, have a skill or job that's highly in demand, or are the fiance, spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.
Talk to an immigration lawyer and someone from both the British and US Embassy.
Good luck!
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/
#2How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 9:31am
Someone did her homework 
#3How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 9:59am
LMAO! Yup!
But, I'm still holding out some hope that we'll be able to go with Plan A. 
#4How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 10:05amFalling in love is the easiest way. I am not in the UK, but the process is similar though much more expensive and apparently you have to have lived with your partner for two years. That wasn't the case in Sweden. We had been in a relationship for two years and that was enough. It cost me about $60US total to apply for my permit, have all paperwork sent to Sweden, have my interview and my passport returned to me. In the UK it's £644 for a family ties visa. A student visa is £199, but contingent on being accepted at university. Work visa are usually £690 and hard as hell to get.
#5How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 10:27am
You don't have to lived with your partner for 2 years. You just have to be able to prove that you're entering into a marriage, civil union or domestic partnership within 6 months of entering the UK.
There you go, FF, start looking for a British man or woman. 
#6How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 10:31am
~ff~ let me know if you find any hot gay men in your search. I'll be willing to make a move to the U.K. for love
#7How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 10:47am
Is the 2 year rule something they don't enforce? I think that would be difficult if you were moving to be with someone. lol
You and your unmarried or same-sex partner must show that:
-any previous marriage, civil partnership or similar relationship, has permanently broken down
-you have been living together in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for two years or more
-you have suitable accommodation which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds
-you can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds
-you intend to live together permanently
-your partner is not under 21, and
-you are not under 21 at the date of arrival in the UK.
Hell, at least they allow same sex partners to obtain visas.
I can't wait for the same sex immigration debate to heat up in the states. Well, I kind of can because my mother will expect me to move back as soon as the Swede can come with me. lol
#8How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 10:50amTRAITOR!!!
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
#9How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 10:54am
Oops! My bad. The key word there is unmarried. The two year rule applies if you don't plan to marry or enter into a civil union.
How do I qualify to join my fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner in the UK?
You must show that:
* you plan to marry or register a civil partnership within a reasonable time (usually six months)
* you plan to live together permanently after you are married or have registered a civil partnership
* you have met each other before
* there is somewhere for you and your dependants to live until you get married or register a civil partnership, and you will be able to live without help from public funds,
* you and your dependants can be supported without working or claiming any help from public funds,
* your fiancé(e) is not under 21, and
* you are not under 21 at the date of arrival in the UK.
#10How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 11:01amOoooh, I see. Well, that's good, I guess. lol
#11How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 11:04am
It's nice to have the option anyway.
#12How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 11:16amNo kidding. I liked not having to promise to marry within a period of time. That's the difference here. You can declare a person your sambo, which means that you're living together as if you are married and have the full rights that a married couple has. The Swede is all over my medical paperwork and such. It's great.
#13How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 12:39pm
* you have met each other before
This is my favorite rule.
#14How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 2:13pmWell, that's not that odd in the age of the internet. Lots of lovely people meet their better halves that way. With Skype and the like, you could feel like you're ready to move in having never been in the same place. I am not saying I recommend it...
#15How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 3:21pmOh, I'm well aware. But seeing it written so officially just gave me the giggles
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#16How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/16/10 at 3:29pmI would guess that's more to prevent something like a Russian mail-order bride.
#17How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/17/10 at 2:02pm
"let me know if you find any hot gay men in your search. I'll be willing to make a move to the U.K. for love"
Hey Boobs - you don't have to look far: the West End board is full of hot gay men.
Well, anyway, it's full of gay men.
FloweryFriend: don't forget you'll have to learn to drive on the left hand side of the road, use a gear stick and negotiate narrow winding country lanes. Seriuosly - one of my American friends who lives over here is well annoyed that he's having to retake his driving test as his US licence isn't recognised.
#18How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/17/10 at 2:16pm
I have to get a new license here, as well. I have pretty much conquered the manual transmission in clear weather, but I still have hundreds of road signs to learn and classes to take. You have to rent a car and go to a slick track to be given a course on driving in hazardous road conditions. There is a road test in which you have to walk the car and point out everything important and how to change all the fluids. There is a theoretical test that everyone says is a bear! They are hardcore here. It costs about $900US to get a license. At least I didn't have to change sides of the road...
#19How to Move to the UK
Posted: 8/30/10 at 8:21am
Hey guys. Thanks for the responses. Sorry about the delay.
I think I qualify for dual-citizenship with a couple of different countries in the EU, so I'm going to work on that. If I can get EU citizenship, then I should be able to live and work in the UK without a visa. (And without having to get married any time soon.) If anyone has any advice on dual-citizenship stuff, let me know.
I'm aiming to live in London, so I don't think the driving stuff is going to be of immediate importance.
I'm more worried about finding a job and a place to live.
#20How to Move to the UK
Posted: 9/1/10 at 1:30pm
Apparently the annual leave entitlement is better...
but maybe you should consider France as well.
#21How to Move to the UK
Posted: 9/1/10 at 3:32pm
Good to know.
But I'm an actor... so I don't know how much that actually helps me.
BroadwayGirl107
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/26/03
#22How to Move to the UK
Posted: 9/1/10 at 5:04pmI lived in London for four months, and would love more than anything to move there and pursue an acting career, but I was under the impression it's virtually impossible to work as an American actor in the London theater unless you've been officially shipped over (i.e. Idina Menzel in Wicked, the original cast of August: Osage County).
#23How to Move to the UK
Posted: 9/9/10 at 12:46am
I don't know if that's true...
In London, there's currently a trend to put on classic American plays (O'Neill, Miller, Williams, etc.), so I figure having an American dialect might help me.
I think if I can get the dual-citizenship stuff figured out, then it'll be less of an issue (because they won't have to deal with work permits and visas).
Also, I'll be AEA by the time I go over there, and it's my understanding that should make it somewhat simple to get into their union.
*praying*
#24How to Move to the UK
Posted: 9/9/10 at 1:00pm
From what (little) I know it is a lot easier to get in if you're from a country with which the UK has formal political links (ie European Union/British Commonwealth - particularly the former).
You could try asking on the West End board. There is one London-based American semi-regular poster there, whom I've never seen post on the OT board.
There have certainly been a lot of well-received productions of the works of the three authors you mention in recent years.
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