Moving out of US to UK feasible?
Hi Reddit,
I'm a 21 year old male here. I'm currently a senior in college studying information technology (career goal is network administration or some kind of IT work in a school). I apologize if this is the wrong subreddit to post this in advance.
Basically, here's my little story. I met my lovely girlfriend 4 years ago from next month. We're in a long distance relationship (she's UK, I'm US. We've seen each other many times already.), and I want to move over to the UK and start a family with her. My reasoning: Access to cheaper healthcare, her family is more supportive than mine, she's constantly telling me of places hiring in my field over there, her degree has no chance if she moves over here, I've fell in love with the country, etc etc.
We've always had this worry, but just assumed "life would go our way", but I could really use some reassurance. How feasible is this life goal of mine, in terms of money and immigration-hassle? My main worry money-wise is paying off my student loans, which are in the upwards of $80k-90k. I'm not sure if moving out of the country is going to heavily impact paying off those loans, and I'm not sure how immigration policies work in terms of cost and difficulty getting out of the country.
I don't plan on leaving right out of college (because that would be a rather stupid decision); I've got a good gig going with a local high school's IT department and I'm most likely going to be hired full time by them when I graduate. When I graduate and (hopefully) land that job, I want to settle into a small apartment and work there for a few years to accumulate some cash, and then move out of the country.
Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Posted Jun 23, 2016, 2:22 AM UTC · edited
I would be more focused on getting a job over there. It's pretty tough for non-EU citizens to get a work visa. You'll have to really develop your career in the US, likely more than a local high school can offer. You'll need specialized and attractive skills to get a work visa and job in the UK.
How specialized would this have to be? So far im only graduating with a bachelors and I'd rather not go for my masters, just because it doesnt benefit my field enough to be worth it, and i would have to find a somewhat expensive program to benefit from it.
Not necessarily a master's, but perhaps some sought-after certifications. Or just some really good work experience.
Hm, okay. Well, my field does have some certifications that I should be getting nonetheless. So basically, if I set myself up for an ideal job over here and market myself well, I should be fine?
Also, I did a little research. I saw that I can apply for a fiancé visa if I marry my girlfriend within 6 months of that time, which then becomes a marriage visa, then indefinite leave to remain, and then british citizenship. Do you have anything you could tell me about that kind of visa?
Yeah, IT will be in demand, so you should be okay.
Re: visas, you'll want an expert's opinion, but I believe that you won't be able to work in the UK unless you either have that indefinite leave to remain, or a work visa, usually sponsored by an employer who wants you. It's something to be cognizant of if you want to move there first, then look for a job.