Working in the UK

Going to be moving in May to be with my fiancee.  I'm now applying for a grad schemes.  I will have a BA from a US university by May.  I have a few questions about how to use my degree and getting a work permit.

1) One job asks that I have a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent.  What's an equivalent to a 2:1?

2) I learned that my UK employer has to apply for a work permit for me.  Is there anything that I need to do in this process?  Is there any other way to get a work permit?  What kind of work permit do I need?

Thanks everyone!

If you get married you don't need a work permit.  If you are coming over on a fiance visa, you can't work until you get married, though I guess the UK employer could get you a work visa...but they have to do all the work - you'd just have to fill out forms & apply for the entry clearance on your end after they get you the work visa - there is only one kind & I'm not sure with your education that you could get a work visa (your company would have to prove that they can't find someone in the UK or EU that can do your job as well as you can). 

Best bet - get married, get the married person visa, then get a job!

It is possible to get a work permit if you have a degree, providing the employer have advertised the position sufficiently and cannot find and EEA national.  However, if you are marrying a UK national anyway, you are certainly better off going down the route onetiger has suggested.

Victoria

That's a little disheartening.  I knew it would be difficult to get work documents but it sounds like I just won't qualify.  I was reading from the consulate website about visas and work permits, but I don't really see a difference.  Is there?  I have to work in order to live with my fiancee and techinically I wouldn't be starting with a job until september.  If I actually got work documents could I use them for another job, say temping work, before I took the position I'm hired to?  Also does it mean anything that I'll be living in my own place and can prove I can live independently of government financial aid?  Thanks all!

If I actually got work documents could I use them for another job, say temping work, before I took the position I'm hired to?

If you're talking about a work permit, then no- WP's are tied to one employer only.  If you change employers, you have to get a new WP.  It sounds like your best bet would be just to get married in the States ASAP if you can't afford to be in the UK for a while without working (the fiance visa doesn't allow you to work.) Might not be the most convenient thing to do in terms of weddings and such, but you'd be able to sort out your spouse visa quickly and be allowed to work immediately.

You don't have to work to live with your fiance.  If you come over on a fiance visa, you can't work.

Victoria

OK, so the thing is neither she nor I are in a hurry to marry (we don't want a political reason for marrying).  Thanks to that brilliant post by wishstar it seems like the best way to go is for an unmarried partner visa.  Will i still need a work permit?

No.  Once you have the UP visa, you can work or study as you wish.


Victoria